As the Nintendo Switch nears its two year anniversary, we are expecting to see a new Nintendo Switch Model in the near future.
The handheld gaming machine has been a blockbuster success for Nintendo. It has already surpassed the 34 million unit mark in global sales, meaning the console has moved more units in its first two years than Nintendo 64 did in its entire lifespan (32 million+ sales).
How can Nintendo improve a model that proved so massively successful? While the wait still goes on for an official confirmation, the word on the street is that Nintendo has something awesome planned for its Switch fans. Here is what we know about future Switch releases-
WHEN WILL THE NEW NINTENDO SWITCH MODEL COME OUT?
With the Switch being perfect for busy gamers, we were hoping for an official announcement at E3, but Nintendo remained coy over their plans for a Nintendo Switch upgrade. As of yet, there is no concrete release date for a new Nintendo Switch model. That said, we could analyze the industry trends to estimate a potential deadline.
Usually, major console makers bring an update to their system halfway through its lifetime. The average tenure of a Nintendo console has historically been 5-6 years. Keeping that in mind, we might expect for a late 2019 or 2020 release.
Since the release date for the new Xbox is still not confirmed and the PlayStation 5 release has been delayed until mid-2020s at least, we don’t expect to see the new Switch models hitting the market late this year. Also, Nintendo said at E3 that they are currently working on software releases only. As things stand, I’d put my money on a 2020 release date.
WHAT HAS NINTENDO SAID ABOUT THE NEW RUMORED MODELS OF THE SWITCH?
Not much! They basically said they are always working on new projects, and when it’s time, they would let us know. Here’s what Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa had to say on the matter, “As a general rule, we’re always working on new hardware and we will announce it when we are able to sell it.”
HOW MANY NEW VERSIONS OF THE SWITCH ARE COMING?
Wall Street Journal reports there will be two different Switch versions, a budget one for casual gaming and an expensive iteration for serious gaming (see video below for a quick look at what a pro Switch could offer). In addition, Bloomberg and Japanese publication Nikkei also claimed that an economy Switch version is forthcoming.
The budget version is rumored to be made in a classic, handheld-first mold. In order to bring down the costs, the features will be somewhat compromised. For instance, Joy-Cons might be replaced with non-detachable control pads and the sound adjusted HD Rumble vibration levels are also expected to be cut off.
Not much information is floating around regarding the new Nintendo Switch model Premium version. Perhaps 4K compatibility and HDR visuals are on the cards. Gamers are also expecting to have an upgraded 1080p display.
WHAT FEATURES WILL BOTH NINTENDO SWITCH VERSIONS HAVE IN COMMON?
These are the rumored similarities both future Nintendo Switch versions are expected to have:
- 8 GB RAM. Current version has a 4 GB RAM.
- The internal storage will get a colossal rise to 128 GB. It’s only 32 GB now.
- Enhanced Nvidia Tegra graphics cards.
- Faster loading time and superior frame rates.
That covers what we have found about the rumored Switch update. Know anything else about the rumored new Nintendo Switch model? Let us know in the comments below!
