Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Nintendo Switch 2 Questions with Giovanni Colantonio
Mobile Tech Questions with Andy Boxall
OLED Upgrade for Better Anti-Glare with Chris Hagan
On at the moment’s You Asked: What’s up with the Nintendo Switch 2? We reply a few of your burning questions as preorders are formally underway. In phrases of cellular and cellphone tech, what Android comes most advisable by our Digital Trends professional, and is upgrading your OLED TV value it for the most recent anti-reflective coating?
Nintendo Switch 2 Questions with Giovanni Colantonio
A few weeks in the past, we posted our first hands-on impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2. I obtained to attend the first-ever hands-on occasion for the console, performed about 11 video games, and now I’m right here to reply your greatest questions.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends
Question from @kennethcheung4938: We haven’t seen a lot of the brand new OS but—is it much like the unique Switch OS, or is it a full overhaul? If it’s the latter, will we nonetheless be capable of play video games from outdoors our native area? For instance, if I’ve a U.S. Switch, can I purchase bodily sport cartridges in Japan and nonetheless play them in English?
Great questions. Happy to reply. First off, the OS appears to be just about equivalent. At the preview occasion, we weren’t handed a Switch to fiddle with freely. These have been structured demos the place you jumped straight right into a sport—so no actual alternative to discover the menu.
That stated, I did catch a couple of glimpses of the UI throughout the occasion. For instance, if somebody needed to pair a controller, the acquainted white “pairing your controller” field popped up. I additionally noticed the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube UI, and it regarded precisely the identical as earlier than.
Since the occasion, I’ve seen a couple of movies and commercials exhibiting snippets of the UI, and yeah—mainly the identical. The house display screen remains to be that white or black background with a single horizontal row of apps. You scroll via them. That’s it.
The one factor that’s getting a slight redesign is the Nintendo Online part—although, truthfully, I guess lots of you haven’t used it a lot. It’s a small refresh, however nothing main.
I’ve at all times wished extra customization—extra dynamic themes like we had on the 3DS. I had an Animal Crossing one, it was absolutely decked out. Looks like we’re not getting that stage of customization right here. I hope that adjustments.
It appears Nintendo’s aim is to maintain the Switch 2 feeling like a direct continuation of the unique Switch. I believe that’s a little bit of a missed alternative, however at the least it’ll really feel acquainted.
As for area locking—no, the Switch 2 shouldn’t be region-locked, so far as we all know. You can play a Japanese sport on a North American Switch.
The one exception is a particular mannequin offered in Japan. It’s cheaper however region-locked to Japanese video games. Nintendo most likely did that to spice up native gross sales. The worth distinction within the U.S. is probably going tied to geopolitical tariffs, which many people are accustomed to by now.
So, if you wish to study Japanese and import a less expensive mannequin—go for it! Otherwise, the usual Switch 2 stays region-free.
Nintendo
Question from @jarathen1625:How snug did you discover the Switch, and the way does that evaluate to the Switch 2? It’s my one fear, that many gamers would require a grip to make it snug but once more.
This is an effective one. Personally, I don’t thoughts the consolation of the unique Switch. I wouldn’t name it “comfortable,” nevertheless it’s not terribly uncomfortable both—it’s simply sort of flat. You’re holding a flat brick, nevertheless it’s not tremendous heavy and the load is well-balanced.
Unlike the Steam Deck, which I joke looks like holding a cat by its armpits—very top-heavy—the Switch is extra balanced, so you’ll be able to maintain it within the center with out pressure.
Switch 2? Same design philosophy. Not considerably extra snug. If you discovered the unique uncomfortable, you’ll most likely desire a third-party grip—perhaps from Hori or Dbrand. That stated, you’ll be able to nonetheless get the Pro Controller, which I demoed, and it felt nice. It’s practically equivalent to the present one, however now features a C button.
I additionally tried the up to date Joy-Con grip, which feels about the identical because the previous one. I discover it high-quality—others would possibly disagree.
As for a way the Switch 2 feels in-hand—it’s heftier. Not heavier, simply extra strong. Like holding an Apple pill. Doesn’t have an effect on consolation a lot, nevertheless it would possibly change the way you understand it.
The Joy-Cons have been tweaked for higher consolation—bigger joysticks, larger SL and SR buttons. So there are some quality-of-life enhancements, simply not an enormous leap in ergonomics. Keep your expectations in examine.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends
Question from @viciousviolet3783: Have we heard something extra about Call Of Duty coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
Honestly, I used to be stunned Call of Duty wasn’t a part of that latest Direct. But Xbox has to convey it to Switch—they promised it of their FTC case. It’s legally documented.
Question from @kennethcheung4938: third Party Games Compatibility: With the MS Activision merger final yr and MS promising to convey Xbox video games to Nintendo, can the Switch 2 have sufficient {hardware} energy to run these Xbox video games and supply a comparable expertise?
Now, efficiency? Keep your expectations low. The Switch 2 shouldn’t be an Xbox Series X or PS5. It’s nearer to a Steam Deck. It’ll impress extra in handheld mode than docked.
That stated, DLSS (AI upscaling) is a game-changer. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 use it, and it actually helps clear up visuals. The Nvidia chip additionally helps ray tracing—one other plus. Still, this console received’t match what Xbox and PlayStation are doing.
I don’t anticipate Hellblade 2 or Starfield to run nice on it. But I used to be impressed seeing third-party video games like Split/Second, Cyberpunk, and Street Fighter 6 operating easily and searching clear.
DLSS might assist clear up the fuzzy edges I noticed in video games like Split/Second. Just don’t anticipate 120 fps Call of Duty—we’re most likely 30 fps, with some upscaling when docked.
Mobile Tech Questions with Andy Boxall
Now, let’s change gears to cellular tech with Digital Trends senior cellular author Andy Boxall.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Question from @miltonjr2004: What Android cellphone would you advocate?
Great query—and since we don’t have a particular funds to work with, I’m going to advocate two telephones.
First up is the OnePlus 13. It has a cultured but sturdy design, the most recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a battery that simply lasts a few days, super-fast charging, and an excellent digital camera with some enjoyable modes, like Hasselblad XPan. At $900, it’s so much cheaper than telephones just like the Galaxy S25 Ultra—and it’s at present my prime Android choose. I gave it a 9 out of 10 in my evaluation.
If you’re searching for one thing extra inexpensive, the Google Pixel 9a is a implausible possibility at simply $500. I believe the flat rear panel seems to be nice, the software program is tremendous simple to make use of, and it’s very nicely designed. The battery lasts a few days, and whereas the digital camera is strong, the pictures do profit from slightly modifying.
I additionally gave the Pixel 9A a 9 out of 10 in my evaluation, and I’m nonetheless utilizing it as my each day cellphone. I believe you’ll be pleased with both the OnePlus 13 or the Pixel 9A.
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Question from @lowridinpacker: Which foldable cellphone would be the one to purchase this yr? Buy a P9P Fold or OnePlus Open now or perhaps the Z Fold 7 or Pixel 10 Pro Fold in August? Price vs usability and which is finest for various use circumstances.
Let’s begin with the one I wouldn’t advocate: the OnePlus Open. It launched on the finish of 2023 and solely noticed minor updates in late 2024. There’s no successor coming this yr, and whereas it’s nonetheless a superb cellphone, I don’t advocate shopping for a 2023 mannequin in 2025.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, is great—and it’s truly my favourite Pixel 9-series cellphone. It’s nonetheless comparatively new, and whereas the $1,800 price ticket stings, it’s completely value contemplating. If you want a cellphone proper now and desire a foldable, go for it—I don’t suppose you’ll be upset.
As for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7, it’s nonetheless early, and there aren’t lots of strong rumors to go on but. Most hypothesis suggests they received’t be dramatically totally different from the present fashions.
So, for those who don’t want a brand new cellphone at the moment, there’s no hurt in ready one other six months to see what they convey. But for those who’re hoping for a worth drop on present foldables, don’t rely on it—foldables hardly ever go on deep low cost.
If you’re after a cellphone that may do all the pieces—multitasking, content material watching, productiveness—the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is my choose. Get it, and revel in it.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Question from @Mooooooof: At what proportion battery well being is affordable to interchange the battery in your cellphone?
This one’s attention-grabbing as a result of I believe it’s much less about numbers and extra about expertise. If your cellphone nonetheless meets your each day wants, there’s no motive to fret in regards to the battery well being proportion. Once it turns into inconvenient or irritating, that’s the time to contemplate a alternative.
Also, for those who’re asking this, I’m going to imagine you need to cling onto your cellphone for some time. If that’s the case, keep watch over units just like the HMD Skyline—it’s simply repairable at house, and iFixit sells official elements, together with batteries.
There’s one thing actually satisfying about sustaining your cellphone like this—and it’s extra inexpensive in the long term.
OLED Upgrade for Better Anti-Glare with Chris Hagan
Lastly, we now have a query about OLED TV reflections.
Doug Murray / Digital Trends
Question from Luuk: I at present have an LG CX OLED in my home—an superior TV—however the display screen is actually a mirror. I’ve a window behind the viewing place, and particularly in the summertime, I can see all the pieces behind me on the TV, however not any darker pictures. I’m contemplating a brand new OLED since I’m an enormous fan of the image high quality, however I used to be questioning how a lot the anti-reflective coating has improved in comparison with my CX. I would think about different manufacturers, though Sony doesn’t supply the identical price-to-quality worth as LG, and Samsung lacks Dolby Vision help.
Great query, Luke. Anti-reflective coatings have positively improved yr over yr, particularly on high-end OLEDs. And having seen a number of the latest units in individual—just like the LG G5 and C5—I can verify they give the impression of being unbelievable.
However, it feels like your room will get lots of gentle. In that case, I’d truly steer you towards Samsung’s newest lineup. They launched their superior anti-glare tech again in 2020 on the flagship QN95 collection, and we’ve obtained a full breakdown in previous movies on the channel.
In 2025, that very same tech has made its method into each OLED and Mini LED fashions. So you’ve obtained choices.
If OLED is a should and also you need to fight glare, the Samsung S95F is your finest guess. But don’t sleep on the QN90F, Samsung’s top-tier Quantum Dot Mini LED TV. Not solely does it have that very same anti-glare know-how—it additionally will get brighter than the S95F.
So if daytime glare is an actual situation and also you watch so much throughout the day, the QN90F would possibly truly be the higher alternative.
Now, about Dolby Vision: sure, Samsung nonetheless doesn’t help it. But whether or not or not you’ll discover is dependent upon how dialed in your eyes are. I’ve been utilizing the QN90C, their 2023 mannequin, for the previous yr and a half—and I’ve watched all the pieces from cable and sports activities to HDR films and streaming content material. HDR10 and HDR10+ nonetheless supply loads of wow issue.
So in your case, I believe fixing the reflection situation could have the larger affect in your viewing expertise than Dolby Vision help.