So basically in their own investor briefing, Japanese LCD manufacturer Sharp stated they are working on new LCD panels for an upcoming new game console. The only game console Sharp supplies displays for is the Switch. They are going to launch "pilot LCD panel production lines" for this new game console this fiscal year, so it sounds like they are beginning early production of LCDs for this console sometime between now and end of March 2024.
Sharp has been a close partner of Nintendo since forever, they supplied everything from the Game Boy to the Switch. They are basically Nintendo's go to for all portable game machines aside from the new OLED display.
Sharp Chief Executive Officer Robert Wu said the Japanese firm, which is owned by Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group, has been working closely with an unnamed company on developing a gaming console since it was in the R&D phase. Sharp plans to launch pilot LCD-panel production lines this fiscal year for the new device, he said.
“I can’t comment on any details regarding specific customers. But as to a new gaming console, we’ve been involved in its R&D stage,” Wu told analysts on a call after releasing quarterly earnings.
Wu was careful to avoid identifying the company or its impending product. After the analyst call, Sharp deleted from its online presentation slides a mention of a new game device it is a supplier for.
Sharp has worked with Nintendo before. Investors have anticipated that Nintendo will update its six-year-old marquee device next fiscal year, which could catalyze a flagging stock price.
The downside for this it sounds like the Switch 2 (if this is indeed Switch 2) will start with a LCD screen again and not OLED, which sorta sucks, but I kinda figured Nintendo would save an OLED display model for later on down the line when they can charge more money for it now that consumers have shown they will pay more money for an OLED model.
Last edited by Soundwave - on 12 May 2023
