While the console isn’t as pricey as its Xbox and PS5 rivals, the recent Switch 2 price hike has stretched budgets, and a Switch 2 Lite with reduced capabilities would be more affordable. Samsung may also offer a solution to rising component costs: a report claims it’s revising the chip process used for the Nvidia SoC to optimize performance.
8LPU+ advantages
Samsung is believed to produce the custom Nvidia T239 found in Switch 2 consoles. The South Korean Electronic Times reports it will likely introduce a new 8LPU+ process in December. As a result, the chip may deliver a 12% performance gain, consume 15% less power, and have an 8% smaller logic area, lowering manufacturing expenses.
Although the change targets the automotive and robotics industries, it could benefit Nintendo’s handheld. The Electronic Times quotes a source saying it will affect all “Existing 8nm customers in Samsung Foundry’s ecosystem…”.
Revised Samsung chip process impact on Switch 2 Lite shown
The news interested Nintendo Patents Watch, which has been tracking Switch 2 Lite rumors. It earlier reported that for the fiscal year ending March 2026, the gaming giant’s R&D expenses jumped significantly, matching periods before previous console launches.
A predictable design?
Several theories predict how a Switch 2 Lite would differ from the current system. Taking cues from the last-generation budget option, the handheld could feature a smaller LCD screen. Instead of standalone Joy-Con 2, they may come attached to the device’s sides, and buyers may have to sacrifice TV dock connectivity.
Even though some fans want a cheaper model or an OLED upgrade, inflated storage and memory prices remain obstacles. However, Samsung’s efficient 8LPU+ process could let Nintendo install a more compact battery without crippling performance. Avoiding a move to an entirely different SoC also ensures compatibility with games.
It’s a perilous time for hardware development, but Nintendo keeps investing. A portion of that spending responded to EU right-to-repair laws. The company recently modified the Switch 2 console to make battery swaps simpler, and starting in February 2027, the existing Switch Lite will also be discontinued in Europe.
Source(s)
Nintendo Patents Watch@Bluesky, Electronic Times
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