Nintendo Switch 2 - screen causing discomfort

choqpi

Hi gamers!

Is anyone else experiencing issues with the Nintendo Switch 2 screen? I recently bought the console, excited that it has an LCD screen without PWM. For the first two days, everything was fine (though I played only briefly). The problem started after a longer session (about 1.5 hours) — the next day, I experienced severe brain fog and pressure in my forehead. Interestingly, I didn’t feel any eye pain — just mild dryness. The symptoms repeated over the next few days. However, they feel different from the ones I get when using screens with PWM. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

For context, I don’t have any issues with the LCD screens on the original Nintendo Switch, ROG Ally or my IPS Laptop.

DisplaysShouldNotBeTVs

choqpi Have you tried turning auto brightness off? I heard someone say that turning it off/on affects the feel and colors of the image significantly on Switch 2.

BTW, according to Taki Udon on Bluesky who is knowledgeable about screen modifications for the original Switch systems, they stated Switch 2 has a panel lottery --

There are at least 2 known Switch 2 LCD panels from different suppliers that could possibly feel entirely different from each other.

(For example, some Switch 2 units are already known to have a significantly different screen color temperature than others. And there is probably even more variation than just this alone.)

shuzwa

Can you disable HDR and any upscaling effects? Option to lower resolutions or fidelity?

There's been talk of it using artificial intelligence to upscale on the fly. This could make it harder for us to focus on the image.

Also try it docked on a 1080p TV or computer monitor you know is safe for your eyes. It may not do any upscaling at that resolution. I'm curious to know if it'd work ok docked like that.

choqpi

shuzwa Thanks for the reply. I'm playing with HDR turned off. Unfortunately, the console has rather limited image settings in handheld mode. The only other thing I can do is lower the color saturation, which I’ll be testing. I haven’t tried the console in docked mode yet, but I do have a monitor that doesn’t cause me any issues. That said, I have to admit I prefer playing in handheld mode.

shuzwa

Are you playing the same game?

I just watched a YouTuber who mentioned that Mario Kart World looks like it has a smoothing effect at 60fps. Said it made the game look faster then 60fps. This could be the NVIDIA AI effect going on.

Don't lose hope though. Just spend 30min a day on it. I got use to a tv after a while of micro daily use. Also try playing without any house lights or lamps on. They may throw off a flicker that's ok normally to you, but not when you look at the switch.

francerex

It does use dithering as per https://youtu.be/mLJEmLG3IhA?si=B4-VyRFTedPBSAx7

AshX

francerex

I figured. Someone posted a video of the OLED Switch 1 and the Switch 2 and even though it was just a regular video, the OLED was more comfortable.

This video seems to indicate transistor leakage, particularly at 25% as evident with the random spikes. It seems like LCD’s from the last 2-3 years are of incredibly poor quality.

AshX

DisplaysShouldNotBeTVs

It would be interesting to see a comparison between the 2 suppliers. The data on a linked video above shows clear transistor leakage, especially at 25% brightness. This panel in particular is of poor quality out of the box. Disappointing.

K-Moss

AshX There is no reason why LCD would have more transistor leakage than OLED. In both cases manufacturers keep costs as low as possible for these mass-market products.

Sunspark

Nintendo has always, always used multiple suppliers of panels and other components.

Apple does too, but I think in Apple's case they're more selective with routing of SKUs.. e.g. they might ship more Samsung screens to the US than the rest of the world, etc.

francerex

Any update from users sensitive to dithering? does disabling hdr and the likes help by chance?

AshX

K-Moss

I never made a comparison between LCD and OLED transistor leakage other than they both can have it, and that LCD’s manufactured the last few years seem to be of poorer quality than previously. I did remark that the OLED looked better, which it did.