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Nintendo denies OLED model higher profits, Switch Pro

An official arm of Nintendo has issued a public statement striking down two ideas that have entered the public conscious: that the OLED model of the Switch makes the company more money, and that any other versions of the console are coming any time soon.

The former of these seems to be directly addressing a Bloomberg article which claims that the OLED model will be raking in more money for Nintendo on each unit. As a reminder the US RRP for the regular Nintendo Switch is $299.99 and the OLED model is higher at $349.99.

“The upgrades are estimated to cost around $10 more per unit, meaning Nintendo is improving profit margins and relying on its rich library of games to keep sales brisk,” the Bloomberg article posits.

The latter rumour here is that any more Switch variations are coming, at least in the near future. Fans have dubbed some kind of upgraded version of the console the Nintendo “Switch Pro”. Many thought that the OLED model would be this console but that turned out to be incorrect as internally this newer iteration is identical with only minor upgrades to the screen, audio, kickstand and dock.

Addressing both of these rumours is the official and verified Twitter account @NintendoCoLtd. This Japanese-focused account is meant for public relations and investor relations, and focuses more on the corporate side of things instead of the more general content you’d find on other official Nintendo accounts.

While it’s good to have this official word on hearsay, it is worth reading a bit between the lines when looking at these statements.

Firstly let’s look at the initial tweet about profit margins. Without exact numbers from Nintendo, numbers it will likely not provide, we have no way of knowing if the difference between the OLED model and the original Nintendo Switch is just accredited to the newer hardware or are there other factors at play?

Nintendo could have wanted to make a higher profit margin, but the current shortage of electronic components put that idea to bed. That’s just an example but it’s easy to see that the above shouldn’t be taken as just “we’re charging you for the upgrade and nothing else”.

Secondly let’s talk about “no plans for launching any other model at this time”. It’s that last part that strikes us – “at this time”. What if, when 2022 rolls around and many people have bought the OLED model, Nintendo announces the Switch Pro?

Sure next year is not technically “at this time” anymore, but if a Switch Pro was in the works right now the above statement could be more than a little disingenuous.

For now it’s back to playing the waiting game. It’s entirely possible that the OLED is exactly $50 more expensive to make and that we’re never getting a proper Nintendo Switch Pro, but we won’t know until some time passes.

For now the Nintendo Switch (OLED model) is slated for release on 8th October 2021. South Africa is getting the console, but its local price is still unknown right now.

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