Switch 2 rumours have kind of slowed down since Nintendo aired the first look at the system in January, but there are still some floating about. Now, in an update, we've got a look at what's claimed to be a leaked model of the system's dock.
While Nintendo has shown off the new system in its initial reveal trailer (along with the new Joy-Con controllers and their possible mouse-like capabilities), the final design of the dock remains a little more mysterious. There have been some supposed leaks already, and now the latest look doing the rounds online is in the form of a whole 3D CAD model.
This model has reportedly been shared by the same leaker who posted photos of the system last year ahead of its official reveal. The 3D model on display includes a look at the dock from the front, an angled perspective from the back, a top-down view where you can see how the Switch successor connects to the unit, and the base.
As website 'wccftech' notes, this 3D model appears to feature a "grid on the base of the dock" which could perhaps suggest an adjustment to the system's "cooling and air intake". As we've mentioned in our Switch 2 guide here on Nintendo Life, the HDMI port for the dock seems to be the only certainty at the moment, with the system also likely to charge using a USB-C AC adapter.
Based on the images above it looks like there could also be an ethernet port built into the new dock. This follows a photo which was circulating online in January that showed part of the dock and the possible ports included:
Keep in mind this latest 3D model of the dock stems from a supposed leak, so there's no guarantee it's necessarily the real deal and it's probably best to just treat this as a mockup for now. Nintendo's Direct broadcast for the Switch 2 will take place on 2nd April 2025, so we'll hopefully get a proper look at the system's official dock design then.
What do you make of this supposed 3D leak of the Switch 2 dock? Do you think the new dock will contain any hidden surprises? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
[source famiboards.com, via wccftech.com, nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 31
It looks a lot like a dock!
Anything on if the dock will have some graphical boost and a fan inside?
@FishyS Realistic one too. If the Switch 2 design leaks from September were correct, maybe the dock one is correct too.
@MrCarlos46 There isn't going to be any "graphical boost" in the dock. That's not how the dock works.
@Bigmanfan Ah, well at least a fan inside.
I heard the Switch 2 dock will have a spring that will launch the Switch 2 at you at the push of a button. The dock can then double as a toaster while you play in handheld.
Removed - unconstructive feedback
Need a closer look at the fpga board in there which will enable GameCube and Wii hardware emulation.
What is that plactic square port in the top in te back of the dock? I would say, it's a way to push something into on the back of the dock to plug in the USB-c porton the top of the switch.
Maybee a webcam mounting port?
The return of the "WiiSpeak" where you can put a microphone in there for voicechat on device?
If true the grills are interesting - extra airflow to the Switch 2 when its docked? Maybe theres a fan in that bulky area to bring in more airflow? If so could see quite a performance bump when docked compared to Switch, be better for people who use it on TV
Not much to see this time which is a blessing in disguise - while I don't particularly mind leaks (in fact, it can be fun to speculate about them as long as you don't take them too seriously and not just in the sense that they're not confirmed to be true) I'd rather not see a repeat of the reactions to the Switch 2 teaser!
@HalBailman To be fair, we've also seen "leaks" as in actual photos before (https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/09/rumour-supposed-switch-2-design-photos-and-specs-surface-online and then https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/01/rumour-supposed-images-of-the-switch-2-motherboard-appear-online).
@HalBailman Based on the way you said it I thought you were meaning in general and not specifically about the dock, sorry for the misunderstanding!
That said, you could've been nicer about it...
Really don’t like the grid on the bottom.
On the switch dock I stick my down with sticky pads so it doesn’t move.
If the grid doesn’t allow this and due to air flow then that’s not great for me.
Let’s hope it’s not the case. Then again console design of late doesn’t always think practically.
@Bigmanfan How do you know how the S2 dock works? you have a uncle working at Nintendo?
Sure, maybe it will probably just be like the dock from the current console, but it would be nice if it could have an additional chip (and a fan) to enhance its graphical power when the battery consumption is not a problem in TV mode....
I just hope it doesnt scratch the screen and it allows space for screen protectors!
I had to ditch my dock, it ruined my screen and then cracked the protector I added to cover the scratches.
@HalBailman To be fair means "considering everything that has an effect on a situation, so that a fair judgment can be made" according to the Cambridge Dictionary (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/it/dizionario/inglese/to-be-fair) and again, I thought you meant it in general and if that were the case you weren't considering that there have been some Switch 2 leaks that were actual photos so I just wanted to point that out - once more, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, but that's not a good reason to mock and literally eyeroll at my reply!
@Zequio Cause it doesn't make sense tech-wise at all. Having an additional chip would be extremely cumbersome and just probably make development for the console harder than it needs to be. I assume by chip you mean GPU correct? (It's what most people mean when they say chip) So it's going to have two of the most expensive component for basically no gain? I'm just saying, there's a reason no one builds PCs with two graphics cards, and a reason you wouldn't put two in a console. That just doesn't help.
That being said, it will almost certainly perform better in docked mode, because it'll likely be underclocked in handheld to conserve battery life.
@Bigmanfan Sure underclocking the single chip while handheld could be more efficent than having two independent GPU for each type of use, as the Switch did. But, having a "suplemental computing device" inside the console, could be an interesting idea. Nintendo, which I asume have smarter guys than both of us, even have a patent for that idea. Maybe a separate accesory, say a Pro Dock?
Anyway.... the extra fan in the dock idea is not that bad either.
First Nintendo console that looks just about like the last. So exciting.
@HalBailman What I said also matters as I was polite while your reply wasn't at all - you're comparing a "to be fair" to literally mocking by repeating what I said and eye-rolling.
That said, I won't reply to you anymore after this to show that I'm genuinely sorry about the misunderstanding!
@Zequio I mean it would be interesting I suppose but it's not remotely realistic. I'm sorry if I sound annoyed, but I've been reading these theories about "enhanced docks" since like 2021 (mainly from YouTubers who have no idea what they're talking about.) But it's just an incredibly silly idea that would be very expensive and reap little benefit. Also of course they have a patent, they literally have a patent for every possible idea relating to the Switch. I do think it would be kinda fun, but it would never actually be effective or make sense really.
Edit: I also am probably misreading, but the Switch does not have separate chips for handheld and docked. That would be incorrect. I assume I'm misreading tho
@Bigmanfan " underclocking the single chip while handheld could be more efficent than having two independent GPU for each type of use, as the Switch did" I was trying to say that the Switch have a single chip that is undrerclocked while handheld... and that solution seems more efficent. My English is not the best, sorry.
About the dock with a additional chip, yeah, you maybe correct.
@Zequio Yeah I assumed I was misreading lol.
@Bigmanfan mostly these people are trying to set Nintendo up for failure.
They know there won't be any graphics enhancements just like we do... But they hope to make a story out of it when they're "let down".
Doesn't help the overall enjoying of the experience for everyone but what do they care?
Is this leak actually giving us anything new? We've already seen the dock both in leaked photos and in official renders.
@Real_Obsi Yeah, honestly I got so tired of those people. Basically any YouTuber with "Switch" in their name was claiming the Switch OLED dock would have a graphical upgrade, which was hilariously dumb. I agree though, ruins the fun for everyone, especially the people who don't know any better and get caught up in believing it's true.
If it looks like a Switch 2 dock, and it quacks like a Switch 2 dock?
@chardir Probably a better idea at the ports it will feature.
Why is the rest obscured?
I agree with Chardir just above. We saw the dock in the announcement video, among other sources. Is a model, potentially one created from memory and existing sources, really a "leak? It doesn't really tell us anything we don't know or presume. As NL says at the end of the article, it's a mock up. Let's just hang for the full reveal on 2 April!
Edit: Anyone curious about Johnny Mind's replies to me above, he rudely and unfairly insinuated I said no images of anything ever got leaked when I was clearly referring to the dock only, then he got petty and argued I wasn't fair to him. Not sure why all my comments got deleted and some of his remained. Anyway! We move on.
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