We have been hearing about the upgraded version of Nintendo Switch for a while now. It has been confirmed now that the new version of the console is releasing in Hong Kong tomorrow. As far as its release in the West is concerned, we don’t have a solid word on that/
The news was reported by Chinese Nintendo, a channel that covers news, history, and trivia related to Nintendo and its products. The original source of the information comes from Post 76, a Hong Kong-based news website.
According to Post 76 and Chinese Nintendo, the latest Nintendo Switch will come with upgraded battery life. Furthermore, the upgraded Nintendo Switch model will release in late August in Japan and on August 1st, 2019 in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
First glace at the box of the Battery update Nintendo Switch model, by 阿定 from https://t.co/A4sXPXKGd7 .
The newer model will officially release in Hong Kong on Aug 1st, 2019. pic.twitter.com/t9gntwyghj— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) July 30, 2019
This new Switch model is “more power-hungry and lasts longer”. Having an upgraded battery life means that this new Nintendo Switch model will be capable of delivering four and a half hours to nine hours from one battery charge. In comparison, the previous and current Switch model’s battery life is capable of running for two and a half to six and a half hours with a single charge.
Thanks to the upgraded battery of this latest Nintendo Switch model, the console is claimed to run four and a half hours to nine hours from one battery charge instead of the previous two and a half to six and a half hours.
This new upgraded Nintendo Switch model is also promising to run Zelda for five and a half hours which is way more than the three hours earlier Switch model could manage.
In addition to the upgraded battery with the new Nintendo Switch, it is likely the console will also come with a new chip and NAND memory. If we take a look at Nintendo’s FCC filings, we can notice subtle hints at the changing.
That’s not it, we also have been hearing rumors about a Switch 2 being in the works at Nintendo aimed for hardcore gamers. The Switch 2 is supposed to have a more powerful hardware and will attend to the needs of modern gaming.
Just quite recently, Nintendo filed a letter, requesting for a “Class II Permissive Change”. This strongly suggests that the newer Switch model will have more than just an upgraded battery.
As of right now, there is no information regarding the price of this new Switch model. Since this information doesn’t come from Nintendo itself, it is best to take this information with a grain of salt.
As far as the release date of this new upgraded Nintendo Switch is concerned, as mentioned before, sources say it will release in August in Japan and on August 1st, 2019 in Taiwan and Hong Kong. This is interesting because the Nintendo Switch Lite has a release date for September 20 and this latest Switch model has a release date for August. So in a way, Nintendo will be releasing these consoles back to back.
This is also interesting because Nintendo has officially revealed more information about the Switch Lite, a console that has a later release date, as compared to the upgraded Switch, which has a release date mere days from now.
Although it’s not clear at this point, there is a strong possibility this Nintendo Switch model could be the rumored Switch Pro we all have been hearing about since the start of 2019.
The best thing to do right now is to wait for more information and look forward to the release date of Nintendo Switch Lite which is due 20 September 2019.