Just days after launching the affordable Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo has announced a new Switch model with upgraded battery life. The new Nintendo Switch model is an update to the original Switch, and is separate from the Switch Lite. It means you will be able to play it in handheld mode, tabletop mode, and TV mode, just like the original version. The Switch Lite works only in handheld mode.
Nintendo has listed the new product on its website. Its model number is HAC-001(-01) and the product serial number begins with “XKW.” These details will prove helpful when purchasing a new Switch. You’d want the version with the longest battery life.
According to the Japanese company, it will offer a battery life of 4.5 hours to 9 hours. That’s a significant increase from 2.5 hours to 6 hours of battery life for the original Switch. By comparison, the Nintendo Switch Lite lasts between 3 hours and 7 hours on a single charge.
The battery life will depend on a number of factors, including the game you are playing. Power-hungry titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will consume a lot more battery power than less intensive titles. It also varies based on display brightness and network functionality. On average, you can expect the new Nintendo Switch model to offer about two hours of extra battery life.
Nintendo did not mention how it managed to enhance battery life. The company could have achieved it by upgrading the console’s processor and storage. Recently, a new version of Switch was spotted on the US FCC, which suggested that the Japanese company was planning to upgrade the console’s CPU and storage.
The new Nintendo Switch model will hit the store shelves in the US in mid-August, and in European markets in September. It will have the same price tag of $300 as the original Switch. If you were planning to buy a new Switch console, you’d want to wait a few weeks to get the new version instead of buying the original one.
Nintendo also announced Joy-Con controllers in two new color sets. One of them is available in Blue with Neon Yellow color, while the other one comes in Purple with Neon Orange. They both look fantastic. Nintendo has priced them at $80. The new Joy-Cons will go on sale on October 14th in the US. Since the Joy-Con controllers are removable, you can mix and match them.
Customize your #NintendoSwitch even more with these new Joy-Con colors – Blue/Neon Yellow and Neon Purple/Neon Orange. Available beginning 10/4 for $79.99. #MyWayToPlay pic.twitter.com/231TcnnTG2
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 17, 2019
Last week, the company launched a smaller, lighter, and more affordable Nintendo Switch Lite, which costs just $200. It works only in handheld mode, which means only games that support handheld gameplay will run on this console. All Nintendo Switch games specify whether they work in handheld mode. The company will also apply similar labels to titles in its eShop. If a Switch Lite owner attempts to buy a title that doesn’t work in handheld mode, they will receive a warning.
The Switch Lite is set to launch on September 20th. It has a smaller 5.5-inch display with 720p resolution, and will be available in gray, yellow, and turquoise color options. The Joy-Con controllers are built right into the device, which gives it a sturdier feel. It lacks the controversial kickstand of its more expensive sibling. It also doesn’t have a brightness sensor, meaning users have to adjust the brightness manually. It supports NFC, Bluetooth, and WiFi.
Nintendo launched the original Switch in March 2017. The timing of the launch wasn’t great because game consoles witness their strongest sales during the holiday shopping season. But the Switch turned out to be a blockbuster. It has since sold close to 35 million units worldwide. The company hopes the new Nintendo Switch model and the Switch Lite would help boost sales this holiday season.
The success of Nintendo Switch can be partially attributed to games like The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon 2. Nintendo has a number of new titles in the pipeline to keep gamers hooked to its devices. The upcoming titles include Pokemon Sword and Shield, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
