The highly rumored dismissed the rumors, citing the overwhelming success of the standard Switch and its Lite counterpart as the rationale. However, some datamining this past month suggests the contrary.
As discovered by the dataminer SciresM, a recent firmware update by Nintendo reveals that an updated Switch console, with a code name Aula, exists. This firmware update includes features such as an OLED screen for an improved display, a substantially longer battery life, a better cooling system, and for 4K graphics by way of a Realtek chip. In fact, industry analysts have even predicted that the Switch Pro will release sometime this year and will outsell the coveted PlayStation 5.
According to reporting from Bloomberg and the outlet's Takahashi Mochizuki on Twitter, however, the Switch Pro isn't going to arrive in the near future. This information comes from Nintendo's most recent financial report, and the company has had its best quarterly earnings since 2008. At Nintendo's investor briefing, the company stated that a new Switch model is not planned to release "anytime soon." More specifically, Nintendo said that it's not planning to make an announcement regarding a Switch Pro anytime soon with Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury launch alongside a limited edition Switch console in February and Monster Hunter Rise doing the same in March.
With that being said, this insinuates that the Switch Pro is still possible and that it's likely happening, just not in the near future. At this point, a Switch Pro feels virtually inevitable. Nintendo fans have been clamoring for one for quite some time now, so it would make sense on Nintendo's part to deliver and meet those demands. Recently, a fan upscaled The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to 4K at 6ofps, and the results were simply stunning. It begs the question of what beautiful Switch titles would look like with a bit more power behind them.
From a strategic standpoint, it would also make sense for Nintendo to unveil a Switch Pro sometime this year to help compete against both Sony and Microsoft. Both of those companies have powerful new consoles, and Nintendo seems to be a bit behind in of graphical power. A Switch Pro would help Nintendo showcase its graphical prowess, and maybe it will happen later this year.
Sources: Bloomberg, Takashi Mochizuki - Twitter
