Sharp Working on LCD Screen for Next Generation Gaming Console

[T0@st]

Sharp Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Wu, has revealed that the Japanese company's display division is involved in the research and development of an LCD screen intended for use in an "upcoming" gaming console. This small detail was announced during an earnings briefing/call with analysts (on May 11), and Wu was careful to not name the key client: "I can't comment on any details regarding specific customers. But as to a new gaming console, we've been involved in its R&D stage." Bloomberg reports that information about a gaming device was removed from presentation material, soon after the conclusion of the conference call. Sharp expects to launch pilot LCD-panel production lines by the end of this fiscal year.

Given the secrecy surrounding this business partnership and projected time frame for the new line of gaming oriented LCD screens, games industry analysts point to Nintendo being the "unnamed" client. Sharp is the current supplier of 6.2-inch LCD panels that are featured on the standard Nintendo Switch (2017) handheld console. Samsung provides a 7-inch screen that is fitted to the premium Switch OLED (2021), and InnoLux makes a 5.5-inch LCD display - sported by the entry-level Switch Lite (2019). A next-gen Switch console successor is rumored to be deep into development but is not expected to arrive this year - Nintendo's CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa, informed investors (last week) that new hardware is due at some point after April 2024.



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[Vayra86]

Oh god, the gaming handheld Deck copy floodgates are open...

 

[Double-Click]

So a possible hello to the face of Nintendo Switch 2, guessing 1080p for the display.
What I'm more interested in though is what it can do when docked.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

So a possible hello to the face of Nintendo Switch 2, guessing 1080p for the display.
What I'm more interested in though is what it can do when docked.

So long as it maintains backwards compatibility with the OG switch I am happy.

 

[mrnagant]

Makes me want to wait for Switch2 to play TOTK, hope it gets a port. I could hack my Switch to increase the memory clock so I can get a stable 30fps. The frame dips will bug me way too much.

For the screen, it wouldn't surprise me to see under 1080p again. Just the way Nintendo do.

Maybe we might see an IGZO screen? Back in 2019 Sharp announced they would supply Nintendo with an IGZO screen. Maybe that is still on the table.