Switch 2 TV mode vs handheld: resolution and FPS explained
By Daniel del Moral Hernández · Updated September 23, 2026
The Switch 2 sets the limits, but each game decides how close it gets to them.
What the hardware allows
| Mode | Maximum resolution | Maximum refresh rate |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld (built-in 7.9-inch screen) | 1080p | 120 Hz, with HDR |
| TV mode | 4K at 60 Hz, or 1440p at 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
What games actually do
Most games run at a higher resolution in TV mode and a lower one in handheld mode, and many keep the same frame rate in both. Some examples from our data:
- Mario Kart World: 1440p in TV mode and 1080p in handheld mode, 60 FPS in both.
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has two presets. Quality runs at 4K and 60 FPS on a TV, and Performance runs at 1080p and 120 FPS.
- Hades II runs at 120 FPS in TV mode but 60 FPS in handheld mode.
Many games use dynamic resolution: the resolution drops for a moment in busy scenes to keep the frame rate steady. Game pages show a range when that happens, for example “648p–1080p (dynamic)”.
Find games by frame rate
Performance figures come from official announcements and independent technical analyses. Every game page links to the source it uses.
Sources: Nintendo Switch 2 hardware (Wikipedia), Digital Foundry on Mario Kart World, via Nintendo Life, Metroid Prime 4 display modes, Hades II on Switch 2.