Looks Like the Switch Pro is Still Not a Thing
The Nintendo Switch Pro, a theoretical upgrade or even next-gen version of the Nintendo Switch, is one of the most persistent rumors in the current gaming climate. Perhaps this explains why Nintendo chose to once again directly deny that the company has any plans for a Switch Pro in a post denying another set of Switch-related rumors.
A recent report from Bloomberg claimed that Nintendo’s new OLED model of the Switch featured upgrades that cost the company about $10 per unit, despite the upgraded model’s price tag being $50 more than its predecessor. Nintendo took to Twitter to publicly deny this claim on its corporate Twitter account, which is a pretty odd decision.
We also want to clarify that we just announced that Nintendo Switch(OLED Model) will launch in October, 2021, and have no plans for launching any other model at this time. (2/2)
— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) July 19, 2021
In the tweets, Nintendo declares that: “A news report on July 15, 2021(JST) claimed that the profit margin of the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) would increase compared to the Nintendo Switch. To ensure correct understanding among our investors and customers, we want to make clear that the claim is incorrect.”
The company then goes on to state that the OLED model Switch will launch in October 2021, and that it has no plans to release any other model as of writing.
Nintendo is usually pretty quiet about rumors like this, which makes it interesting that it chose to directly address not just one but two rumors that Bloomberg’s reports have touched on. Under normal circumstances, the company would have provided no comment or said something about having no plans at present.
Instead, Nintendo opted to directly refute Bloomberg’s assertion that the company had raised its profit margins with the OLED model Switch. And then it threw in a blanket denial that a Switch Pro was coming out soon for good measure.
It’s possible that Nintendo’s uncharacteristic bluntness came from frustration over the way people just will not let the Switch Pro rumor die. In that case, however, why focus on Bloomberg’s claims about the profit margin? Bloomberg’s claims were based on the input of a few industry analysts, so it’s interesting that Nintendo denied the claims without actually sharing any relevant information.
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model will be available in October 2021.
Why do you think Nintendo issued these denials? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook.