Update []: At the end of last month, we covered a rumour that Nintendo was working on a 'Switch 2 Lite' model that would supposedly utilise a new chip process in the works at Samsung.

We clarified at the time that it was all nothing more than a rumour, and now the tech experts over at Digital Foundry have popped up to add their ten cents' worth to the conversation. Unsurprisingly, they don't have a whole lot of faith in the idea.

The biggest reason for the outlet's dismissal is the lack of any solid sourcing that Nintendo is looking to downsize its hardware in the first place. "The existence of Samsung materials for a new process that could be used for a handheld doesn't say much on its own," DF says, claiming that the rumoured specs look "more like guesswork".

Then there's the technical side of things, with DF noting that Switch 2 already uses a bespoke processor, so it's not like the transition to the new 8LPU+ would come easily. On top of that, it deems the chip process' rumoured 15% drop in power consumption as "nice to have, but doesn't yield the transformative battery improvements required for a smaller revision" — the original jump from Switch to Switch Lite roughly halved power consumption, let's not forget.

Still, the rumour remains exactly that, a rumour, for the time being. Samsung should spill the beans on the new process next month, but until then, it might be best to continue taking everything with a pinch of salt.

Original Story: Samsung reportedly has a new chip in the works that could help make dreams of a 'Switch 2 Lite' a reality (thanks for the heads up, Notebook Check).

As shared on Bluesky by Nintendo Patents Watch, Samsung has supposedly been working on a new 8LPU+ chip process which might be able to assist with making the Nvidia chip inside Switch 2 more compact and more powerful, while drawing on less power.

While the chip itself hasn't been officially revealed yet (South Korean outlet Electronic Times reports that it could be unveiled in December), the word on the street is that the chip process will boast a 12% performance enhancement, 15% power reduction, and an 8% area shrink, among other features, making it a prime candidate for, we don't know, a smaller console.

With Samsung behind the custom Nvidia chip already in the Switch 2, there's every chance that the new tech could also be used in Nintendo's favour. A smaller Switch 2 — perhaps borrowing the portable-first, non-dock USPs of its predecessor's Lite model — might even pose a cheaper alternative for those wanting to get in on the new hardware's exclusives. With rising costs on just about everything (particularly in the tech space), a less powerful Switch 2 model with cheaper components sure does sound appealing.

We've also got to remember that Nintendo is wrapping up Switch 1 distribution in February 2027. It doesn't necessarily mean that something will be coming in to replace it, we should point out, but if Nintendo and Samsung do have something in the works, it'd be a prime time to introduce it. Heck, the original Switch Lite was released a mere two and a half years after the base model, so who's to say Nintendo doesn't have a Switch 2 equivalent in store for late 2028?

Of course, we've already seen the smallest Switch 2 revision already this year, with the replaceable battery model being introduced in Europe. Rumblings of an 'OLED model' remain under the surface as ever, but what if a 'Lite' option pops up first? Only time will tell, eh!

What do you make of this 'Switch 2 Lite' speculation? Let us know in the comments.

[source bsky.app, via notebookcheck.net, digitalfoundry.net]