A fascinating discovery has emerged regarding the Nintendo Switch 2: it appears to support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) when docked, despite the console itself not currently utilizing this feature. This revelation came to light during a test conducted with a Steam Deck, utilizing a female-to-male USB-C extension cable to connect the devices.
The test revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 dock can indeed support VRR functionality, provided an external device is connected. The Verge performed an extensive test that confirmed the capability of 4K VRR, which operates at impressive speeds of up to 120 frames per second. This was validated by bypassing SteamOS’ initial claims of support and downloading additional tools to ensure the feature was functioning correctly.
Interestingly, other handheld devices also demonstrate the ability to output 4K at 120Hz with both HDR and VRR when plugged into the Nintendo Switch 2 dock. Notable examples include the Lenovo Legion Go S running on SteamOS and the Asus ROG Ally X equipped with Bazzite. This broad compatibility raises questions about the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 itself.
Despite the dock's capability to support VRR, it remains unclear why the Nintendo Switch 2 does not incorporate this feature when the console is docked. Observations indicate that VRR does function in handheld mode, but Nintendo initially stated that docked support was also forthcoming. However, the company later retracted this statement, citing it as an error.
Recent reports indicate that the Nintendo Switch 2 has caused compatibility issues with third-party docks, effectively rendering them non-functional. For those interested in this topic, further details can be found in related articles.
In conclusion, while the Nintendo Switch 2 seems to offer exciting potential with its dock's VRR capabilities, its current limitations leave many questions unanswered. Gamers and tech enthusiasts alike will be keen to see how Nintendo addresses these features in the future.
