Nintendo Switch 2 Brings Major Quality-of-Life Upgrade With Second USB-C Port

Author : Joshua Feb 24,2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially here, and its unveiling revealed some exciting features. Beyond the new Joy-Cons (with apparent mouse functionality via optical sensors), a significant upgrade lies in its improved connectivity.

The original Switch's single, problematic USB-C port is a thing of the past. The Switch 2 boasts two USB-C ports.

The Nintendo Switch 2 features dual USB-C ports.
This seemingly small change is huge. The original Switch's single port necessitated the use of often unreliable third-party adapters, sometimes resulting in console damage due to the console's unique, non-standard USB-C implementation.

While advertised as USB-C compliant, the original Switch's port had a complex, proprietary specification. This required reverse engineering for third-party accessories to function correctly without causing hardware failure.

The Switch 2's dual USB-C ports strongly suggest adherence to standard USB-C specifications. This opens the door to broader accessory compatibility and functionality, including high-speed data transfer, 4K display output (via Thunderbolt), and even external GPU support (with a Thunderbolt-capable device).

Nintendo Switch 2 - A First Glimpse

28 ImagesThe maturity of USB-C technology, compared to 2017, allows for significantly improved functionality. The addition of a second port strongly indicates support for the universal standard, enabling external displays, networking, data transfer, and higher-wattage power delivery.

One port might be optimized for the official dock, while the other offers versatile accessory support. Ideally, both ports would support fast charging and display output, maximizing the console's potential. This dual-port setup allows for simultaneous use of power banks and other accessories—a major quality-of-life improvement.

For further details, including the intriguing "mysterious C button," we eagerly await Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct presentation on April 2, 2025.

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