 |
| Mockup of possible Switch 2 OLED console |
It’s been a quiet year on the hardware front from Nintendo following the blockbuster launch of the Switch 2 in June 2025. But for a company known for its mid-cycle revisions—from the Switch Lite to the acclaimed OLED model—the quiet never lasts long. Now, a fresh clue discovered within Nintendo’s own systems has the gaming community buzzing with theories about what might be next for the hybrid console.
The rumor mill has been churned by a discovery from keen-eyed Nintendo account user Sky: 3, who stumbled upon a mysterious three-letter code, “OSM,” on the Nintendo Account portal website. This finding, later corroborated by user Aaron Dewes, originated back in September 2025 but is only now gaining widespread attention.
Entering the code on the site triggers the appearance of a generic Switch 2 illustration, which does little to reveal a new design. However, the code itself is the smoking gun. In Nintendo’s ecosystem, these internal identifiers are telling. For instance, the code “BEE” is consistently tied to the base Nintendo Switch 2 handheld unit, appearing on its accessories and game cartridges. So, what could “OSM” stand for?
The discovery was linked to a specific line in a Nintendo Account JavaScript file, which you can see here. This has led to a wave of plausible speculation, with two leading theories emerging.
Theory 1: The Premium Upgrade – A Switch 2 “OLED Screen Model”
The most popular guess is that “OSM” stands for “OLED Screen Model.” When the Switch 2 launched with an LCD display, many fans were disappointed, having grown accustomed to the vibrant, high-contrast OLED screen on the 2021 revision of the original Switch. Given that cost was a major factor in the Switch 2’s final specs, a premium OLED model released a few years into the console’s lifecycle would mirror Nintendo’s successful strategy with the first-generation hardware. This “Switch 2 Pro” could offer not just a superior screen, but potentially address other early adopter feedback.
What else might a Switch 2 Pro offer? While the current hardware is a powerhouse, effortlessly running demanding third-party titles, some limitations are apparent. The 256GB of internal storage, for example, fills up quickly with colossal games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake. A Pro model could feature increased base storage, a more efficient chip for better battery life or sustained performance, and perhaps support for higher resolution output when docked. It’s worth remembering that rumors of a “Switch Pro” swirled for years before evolving into what became the Switch 2, proving that Nintendo is always iterating.
Theory 2: The Accessible Alternative – A Switch 2 “Lite” or “Small Model”
Nintendo could just as easily be looking in the opposite direction. Another compelling theory is that “OSM” signifies an “Ounce Small Model”—a new, more compact, and crucially, cheaper version of the Switch 2. The console’s launch price, while justified by its tech, remains a barrier for some families and casual gamers. A dedicated handheld-only Lite model, with a smaller, non-OLED display and no docking capabilities, would be a classic Nintendo move to expand the market later in the platform’s life.
A Perilous Time for New Hardware
Regardless of the direction, designing new hardware in today’s climate is a challenge. With global memory and storage costs fluctuating, committing to a new SKU is a complex calculation. It’s also not impossible that “OSM” could refer to a revision of the older Switch line, though this seems less likely as focus shifts to the new platform.
As confirmed in a Bluesky post discussing the find, the code is real, but its meaning remains Nintendo’s secret. For now, the discovery of “OSM” serves as a tantalizing reminder that Nintendo is never truly done refining its hardware. Whether it’s a premium Pro with a gorgeous OLED screen or a budget-friendly Lite to bring in new players, the data suggests something is in the pipeline. As always with the House of Mario, we’ll just have to wait and see.
 |
| Code discovery at Nintendo Account portal site |