Question of the Day: What’s happening with Nintendo Switch 2? Now that pre-orders are officially live, we’re answering your burning questions. Which Android is most recommended by digital trends experts in terms of mobile and phone technology, and is it worth upgrading your OLED TV with the latest anti-reflective coating?
Nintendo Switch 2 Questions by Giovanni Colantonio
A few weeks ago we posted our first hands-on impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2. I got to attend the first hands-on event for the console, played about 11 games, and now I’m here to answer your biggest questions.
Question from @kennethcheung4938: We haven’t seen much of the new OS yet. Will it be similar to the original Switch OS or is it a complete overhaul? If the latter, will we still be able to play the game outside of our home country? For example, if I have a US Switch, can I buy a physical game cartridge from Japan and play it in English?
That’s a good question. We will answer you. First of all, the OS seems to be almost identical. In the preview event, we didn’t get any switches to manipulate freely. Since this was a structured demo that jumped straight into the game, there was no real opportunity to explore the menus.
That said, we did get a few glimpses of the UI during the event. For example, if someone needs to pair a controller, the familiar white "Pair Controller” box will appear. We also took a look at the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube UI, and it looked the same as before.
I saw a few videos and ads showing parts of the UI after the event, and it was basically the same. The home screen is still a white or black background with a single horizontal row of apps. You scroll through them. That’s it.
One area where the design has changed slightly is the Nintendo Online section. But honestly, many of you probably haven’t used this section much. It’s a small refresh, but nothing major.
I always wanted more customization, i.e. more dynamic themes like on the 3DS. I had Animal Crossing and it was totally decked out. That level of customization doesn’t seem to be happening here. I hope that changes.
Nintendo’s goal seems to be to keep the Switch 2 feeling like a direct continuation of the original Switch. It seems like a bit of a missed opportunity, but at least it will feel familiar.
As for region locking, no, as far as we know Switch 2 is not region locked. You can play Japanese games on your North American Switch.
One exception is special models sold in Japan. The price is cheap, but there are region restrictions for Japanese games. Nintendo probably did that to increase local sales. The price difference in the US is likely related to geopolitical tariffs, which many of us are now familiar with.
So if you want to learn Japanese and import cheaper models, go for it! Otherwise, standard switch 2 will remain regionless.
Question from @jarathen1625:How comfortable are you using Switch? How does it compare to Switch 2? One concern is that many players will need to get comfortable with their grip again.
This is a good thing. Personally I don’t care about the comfort of the original Switch. I wouldn’t call it "comfortable,” but it’s not that uncomfortable either. It’s just a little bland. Although it holds a flat brick, it is not too heavy and the weight is well balanced.
Unlike the Steam Deck (which is very top-heavy), which was jokingly described as feeling like you were holding a cat’s armpits, the Switch is better balanced and allows you to hold it in the middle without strain.
Switch 2? Same design philosophy. It doesn’t get much more comfortable. If the original grip is uncomfortable, you will probably need a third-party grip, such as Hori or Dbrand. That means you can still buy the Pro Controller I demoed and it feels good. It’s pretty much the same as it is now, but now includes a C button.
I also tried the updated Joy-Con grip, which feels almost similar to the existing Joy-Con grip. I think it’s okay. Others may disagree.
The Switch 2 feels heavier in the hand. It’s not heavier, it’s sturdier. It’s like holding an Apple tablet. It may not have a huge impact on your comfort, but it may change how you perceive it.
The Joy-Cons have been tweaked for better comfort, including a larger joystick and larger SL and SR buttons. So while quality of life has improved slightly, there hasn’t been a huge leap forward in ergonomics. Check your expectations.
Question from @viciousviolet3783: Have you heard any more about Call Of Duty coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
To be honest, I’m surprised Call of Duty wasn’t included in the recent Direct. But Xbox needs to bring it to Switch. They promised this in the FTC case. It is legally documented.
Question from @kennethcheung4938: Third-party game compatibility: With last year’s MS <> Activision merger and Microsoft’s promise to bring Xbox games to Nintendo, will the Switch 2 have enough hardware power to run Xbox games and deliver a similar experience?
Now performance? Keep your expectations low. Switch 2 is not Xbox Series X or PS5 It’s closer to the Steam Deck. It’s more impressive in handheld mode than docked mode.
In short, AI Upscaling (DLSS) is a game changer. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 use this and it really helps with visual organization. Nvidia chips also support ray tracing. This is another advantage. But this console doesn’t match what Xbox and PlayStation do.
I don’t expect Hellblade 2 or Starfield to work great. However, I was impressed with how smooth and clean-looking third-party games like Split/Second, Cyberpunk, and Street Fighter 6 were.
DLSS can help clean up some of the blurry edges we’ve seen in games like Split/Second. Don’t expect 120fps Call of Duty. Expect 30fps, perhaps with some upscaling when docked.
Mobile Tech Questions with Andy Boxall
Now let’s turn to mobile technology. digital trends Senior mobile writer Andy Boxall.
Question from @miltonjr2004: Which Android phone would you recommend?
That’s a good question. Since I don’t have a specific budget to work with, I’d recommend two phones.
The first one is the OnePlus 13. It has a luxurious yet durable design, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a battery that easily lasts for days, ultra-fast charging, and a great camera with some fun modes like the Hasselblad XPan. At $900, it’s a lot cheaper than phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it’s my favorite Android product right now. In my review, I gave it a 9 out of 10.
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, the Google Pixel 9a is a fantastic option for just $500. The flat back panel looks great, the software is very easy to use, and I think the design is very nice. The battery lasts for a few days and the camera is solid but would benefit from a bit of editing to take photos.
I also gave the Pixel 9A a 9 out of 10 in my review, and I still use it as my everyday phone. I think you’ll be happy with either the OnePlus 13 or the Pixel 9A.
Question from @lowridinpacker: Which foldable phone should you buy this year? Buy the P9P Fold or One Plus Open now or maybe Z Fold 7 Or will the Pixel 10 Pro Fold come out in August? Its price and usability make it ideal for a variety of use cases.
Let’s start with something I don’t recommend: the OnePlus Open. It was released in late 2023 and had only minor updates until late 2024. There’s no successor coming this year, and while it’s still a good phone, I wouldn’t recommend buying the 2023 model in 2025.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, on the other hand, is great. It’s actually my favorite Pixel 9 series phone. It’s still relatively new, and the $1,800 price tag may seem daunting, but it’s definitely worth considering. If you need a phone right now and want a foldable product, choose it. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
It’s still early days for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7, and there aren’t many solid rumors going on just yet. Most guesses suggest it won’t be much different from the current model.
So, if you don’t need a new phone today, there’s no harm in waiting another six months to see what it will bring. But if you’re expecting a price cut on the current foldable product, don’t expect it. Foldable products are rarely heavily discounted.
If you’re looking for a phone that can do it all – multitasking, watching content, and being productive – choose the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Get it and enjoy.
Question from @Mooooooof: What percentage health is appropriate for my phone’s battery to be replaced?
This is interesting because I think it’s less about numbers and more about experience. If your phone still meets your everyday needs, there is no reason to worry about its battery life percentage. If it’s uncomfortable or disappointing, it may be time to consider a replacement.
And if you ask this, I’m going to assume you want to stick to your phone for a while. If so, take a close look at devices like the HMD Skyline. This repair is easy to do at home, and iFixit sells official parts, including batteries.
Maintaining your phone this way is not only very satisfying, but it’s also cheaper in the long run.
Upgrading OLED for better anti-glare with Chris Hagan
Lastly, a question about OLED TV reflection.
Question from Luuk: I currently have an LG CX OLED at home (a great TV), but the screen is literally a mirror. I have a window behind my viewing position and, especially in the summer, I can see everything behind me on the TV, but I can’t see the darker images. The picture quality is so good that I’m considering a new OLED, and I’m curious to see how much the anti-reflective coating has improved compared to the CX. Sony doesn’t offer the same price/quality value as LG and Samsung lacks Dolby Vision support, but you may want to consider other brands.
Good question, Luke. Anti-reflective coatings have definitely improved every year, especially in advanced OLEDs. And after seeing the latest products like the LG G5 and C5 in person, I can confirm that they are truly amazing.
But there seems to be a lot of light in the room. Well then, let me actually guide you through Samsung’s latest lineup. They introduced advanced anti-glare technology to their flagship QN95 series in 2020, and we’ve got a full breakdown in a past video from the channel.
In 2025, the same technology will be applied to both OLED and Mini LED models. So, you have options.
If OLED is a must and you want to avoid glare, the Samsung S95F is your best choice. But don’t sleep on Samsung’s top-of-the-line Quantum Dot Mini LED TV, the QN90F. Not only does it feature the same anti-glare technology, it’s also brighter than the S95F.
So if daytime glare is a real issue and you watch a lot during the day, the QN90F may actually be a better choice.
Now let’s talk about Dolby Vision. Yes, Samsung still doesn’t support it. But whether you notice it or not depends on how well-coordinated your eyes are. I’ve been using the 2023 model QN90C for the past year and a half, watching everything from cable and sports to HDR movies and streaming content. HDR10 and HDR10+ still offer a lot of wow factor.
So in your case, I think fixing the reflection issue will have a bigger impact on your viewing experience than Dolby Vision support.