Topic: How much longer until Nintendo announces new handheld system?

The topic is asking about when 9th gen starts though, so the distinction does matter. New 3DS isn't a 9th gen system, it's still 8th gen.

That doesn't address my point. I was saying, perhaps clumsily, that given that we're still waiting on the latest hardware, the next gen is obviously quite a way off and there's really no point in discussing it yet.

Well, a few things.

First of all, IF they release a new traditional handheld, they'll release it at LEAST 2 years from now. They didn't make the New 3DS just to look pretty on shelves.

Second of all, it's unlikely that Nintendo is going to create another traditional handheld console (like an HDS). At least not a major one (they may continue to support a niche device). They are probably going to push the envelope to create a new mobile device that can compete better with the advent of smart devices. Now that doesn't necessarily mean a Nintendo phone. It just means that the next Nintendo handheld device will be different from anything we've previously seen from Nintendo.

IMO, announcement will happen at Nintendo Direct in Q1 2017. with release in Q3-Q4 2017. N3DS I won't be out until Q1-Q2 2015. in major markets like US and Europe so it makes no sense to replace it in 2016.

When it comes to hardware, it will probably feature:

• modified mainstream SoC, like Snapdragon, probably 8-core design (N3DS has 4 cores)
• 2 GB LPDDR4 (hoping for Wide IO2 memory which would offer some decent bandwidth)
• 720p screen(s) (or slightly less)
• dual analogs
• capacitive touch screen(s) (no more stylus)
• back and front cameras (5/8 MP)
• NFC
• no 3D effect (3D was a fad that's largely over)
• WiFi Direct so you can screencast on your TV

I also believe that Nintendo could go for a single, a bit larger screen and keep the clam shell design.

Total bill of material shouldn't be more than ~180-190 USD with retail price most likely set at $199 (anything higher than that and there is a big risk of failure - remember 3DS).

I also strongly believe that Nintendo will, along with the new handheld (and probably a new home console), present heavily redesigned Nintendo Network (that has more in common with PSN and Live).

As it's 2017, a 720p screen simply won't do anymore. A 1080p OLED(or better) would be the least the have to do. High-end 2014 smartphones already have QHD screens(not the be confused by the Vita's qHD screen), so that's probably available for a well priced 2017 handheld gaming system too. QHD also allows for an accessoiry for the handheld to be turned into a good VR headset.

720p would look gorgeous on a small screen. You don't need 1080p or higher resolutions because rendering games at such resolutions with high framerate, decent textures and decent antialiasing solution with many assets present on the screen would require hardware that would break the bank when it comes to bill of materials.

When you look at the type of mobile games that render at such high resolutions, they often feature 30 to sub 30 FPS framerate or have rather simplistic graphics. Nintendo would push graphics much further on their handheld than any freemium/$1.99 developers does on smartphones and tablets.

Also, OLED has its own set of problems (price, burn-in effect) so regular LED LCD display will be perfectly fine.

Remember, we aren't talking about 50" TV set here, we are talking about 720p at 4-5" display. Such a resolution (for example, if Nintendo opts for 5" display) would effectively give you "Retina effect" at 12" distance (individual pixels would be imperceptible). Display resolutions are not just numbers that we can observe in vacuum. They have to be put in the context of display size.