Topic: Switch Power options?

Hi, I just got my Switch last week, and I am really enjoying it!

But I was wondering. Since the Switch is essentially a portable console, with a rechargeable battery, doesn't it hurt the lifetime of the battery, if it's in the dock and connected to a power source all the time? Just like with other portable consoles and mobile devices!

What do you guys do about that? Should I undock the Switch, when not in use?

Also, are you switching your Switch completely off when not playing, or do you use the Sleep mode all the time? Sleep mode is essentially what people do all the time with their tablet and mobile, and the Switch is a pretty similar device.

And could there be a difference in how the Switch reacts when switched off or in sleep mode, when it is being connected to a power source all the time? Is there any difference here, and witch mode is best for the battery?

Can anyone help? Thanks!

I usually keep it docked... and thus plugged just because it's convenient to just take the console out of the dock and jump back on a game that was just in pause for a full day. Don't know about side effects though
However, I'm not sure if that's my imagination, but I believe the battery runs out faster when you put your Switch in an unplugged dock ? Or maybe I'm just overly optimistic concerning the battery life in sleep mode. Occam's razor I guess.

If you're interested in quite the read, this one is a good summary:

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lit...

Basically, you'll want to occasionally drain the battery. But not continuously, li-ion batteries actually benefit from intermediate charges and irregularity. Never draining is bad, always draining is bad.

The thing is gonna wear, but won't end up useless. Biggest wear is temperature - if operating as docked but uncharged, temperature goes up and longevity goes down.

So if you keep it connected to the power station it's not as big a deal as running it hot on some software or extreme climate. But if you never drain it it might be a tad faster in wearing down. Yet, in fact, the wear is going to happen no matter how you use it. Most switches in 3 years time will end up with about 80% of duration capacity they used to have, sort of.

I was most surprised to see laptops that are always on not wear as much, yet temperature affecting the batteries far more.

@erv Wow, great link. Thanks !

@erv
Yes, great article, thanks.

This answered my question, I think:

"The question is asked, “Should I disconnect my laptop from the power grid when not in use?” Under normal circumstances this should not be necessary because charging stops when the Li-ion battery is full. A topping charge is only applied when the battery voltage drops to a certain level. Most users do not remove the AC power, and this practice is safe."

I wouldn't worry about it. What you're talking about is very true in NiCad and Nmhd batteries, but not really an issue with lithium batteries. With NiCad and Nmhd you'll ruin the battery and it'll get false bottoms and tops, but not lithium batteries, for the most part.

Just use it when and how you feel suited to. Over analyzing what is or isn't going to affect it will be a hassle. Just pick it up and play it. Or play t docked. It's made for both.

Ya, just enjoy it. Screw the rest. Nothing lasts forever and by the time it finally does start wearing down you're probably have a Switch 2 anyways.

I leave mine in the dock and I leave it in sleep mode because it's just so convenient. I like the sleep mode because it instantly wakes up, but that means I need to keep it in the dock to ensure it has a full charge whenever I take it with me. Not a problem, since it's more convenient to just leave it in the dock anyways.

I don't worry about all that other stuff. Products should be enjoyed and if it's not going to last forever anyways, you might as well enjoy it to the fullest while you have it. If it absolutely came down to it you could always just have a Nintendo swap a battery out in five years.