Earlier this week, GameXplain looked inside the packaging of the new standard Switch. Now that this is out of the way, it has decided to run a test to see just how long the battery in the revised unit lasts.
According to Nintendo's general estimate, this revised model can run for 4.5 - 9 hours, while the old unit is capable of 2.5 - 6.5 hours. Nintendo even provided a comparison featuring The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, stating it would last for around 5.5 hours on the revised model and roughly three hours on the older model.
GameXplain once again ran its "Max" test, where it turned up the brightness, volume and turned on the wireless to see how long the new unit could last while running Breath of the Wild. This is the same test it ran in Breath of the Wild when the original model was released. So, what were the results? The revision nearly made it to the four-hour mark, while the original unit only made it to two hours and a half. This is a maximum setting test, so it's likely to be different from Nintendo's own estimations.
GameXplain also shared a video covering the load times of the revised model and found they were essentially the same as the original Switch. Though, it did find out the newer model is slightly faster (by just a few minutes) in terms of download speed.
Have you considered trading in your old Switch for this revision? Are you holding out for a Lite? Tell us below.
[source youtu.be]
Comments 37
Must be bit better wifi chipset then that's cool.
The one on OG Switch was kinda poor at times tbh.
I really want this, I really do...but im not gonna cough up 300 bucks for something I already have, especially when the design is not different at all
Nice that this is a thing, but not worth upgrading yet. Not for me.
This was not the upgrade I was looking for. If I wanted better battery life I’d buy something like a Venom Powerpack for £24 ish, instead of paying £200.
I have an Anker external battery that recharges my original switch 3 times or more
So the "max" test is basically playing in somewhat normal conditions? Except maybe for the volume?
They should have gone further and played with detached JoyCons in an overheated sauna with a wonky wifi signal so that the console kept searching for it.
@echoplex most people won't play with their screen brightness anywhere near max levels. Then with auto brightness on the screen will be much dimmer then whatever setting you've actually set in most conditions. That alone should give quite a bit more playing time for what is already a very significant upgrade, not enough reason to replace an existing Switch but if you're looking for a second Switch or first time buyers it's a great incentive.
@carlos82 I was mainly joking about this, and more referring to the lack of setting options you have on a console as opposed to a personal computer. I agree with what you said.
For me not worth upgrading yet.
Everyone keeps saying they’re not going to upgrade because this isn’t worth the cost? Uhh yeah no duh. Nintendo aren’t marketing this as an upgrade to replace your original Switch. This is just a slightly revised version of the original model. The standard has been mildly elevated. No one’s trying to sell this as anything beyond that.
@BAN As usual they read too far into everything. The general public will still just pick it up off a shelf or order it on Amazon or wherever like they always do and not care one bit, because they haven't been following these minidramas that play out on these tiny specialist fan sites.
Great for those just buying a Switch. I would love the extended battery life, but not enough to buy a new one. I'll wait for Switch 2.0.
That timelaps has reminded me how effing beautiful Breath of the Wild is
People talking the Lite is not reason for them to 'upgrade' yet. I'm not surprised since the Lite is NOT intended as an 'upgrade'. It's a sidearm if anything or what the 2DS was to the 3DS. Don't judge it on what it isn't but rather what it is. My opinion is I'm happy with my OG Switch but can definitely see this selling very well.
If i can sell my switch for some good money maybe i rebuy, just maybe
Doesn't support Bluetooth headphones with nfc pairing, so still not worth it to me
@Pazuzu666 totally with you. Personally I see the Lite as an alternative downgraded and therefore cheaper option. Might get my daughter one but it’s not for me. I need my docked Resident Evil gaming sessions late into the night!
I would buy if they sold just the just the unit (no Joycons, dock etc. ) at a cheap price
@Gerald hehehe, me too.
It's a good time to grab a Switch, but not really a good time to upgrade (unless you have buckets of disposable cash or gaming media.)
@echoplex
When you play a game like breath of the wild ob the go you do not need wlan and Bluetooth on right?
I play on long bus trips always in airpane mode that saves a lot.
@BAN Thank you. Nice and clear
People are making waaay to big a deal about THE SAME EXACT CONSOLE they already own that has a slightly more power efficient and cheaper chipset that had a nice bonus side effect of a slightly longer battery. Its the same switch people.
@echoplex
eh, aren't there a few switch games with 'quality' and 'performance' settings?
ps4 pro is chock full of that stuff now. 1080 good framerate, terribad 4k checkerboard bad framerate.
There won't be a pro, likely if they announce new hardware we are looking at the next generation switch..
This will be my Christmas present, alongside The Witcher III.
That's FAR from being a worst case scenario though.
Let's have someone actually play. With detached joycons, forcing constant wireless transmission, and simultaneously prompting autosave and loading of new environments, characters, and sounds every five/ten minutes.
@BAN Completely agree. I think this is something to get interest for people that's been holding out. And once they loop those people in, and the switch mini users in, they'll release the Switch Pro to get people to re-up.
I know this is for "science", but man does the technophile in me cringe whenever a battery is intentionally ran down to nothing. XD
@PipA, its a silent revision.
Its for potential Switch buyers not for us who already have one.
@thiz panic isn't the only one that can port games.
That's just what the Switch hipsters think.
@Gerald
Nintendo could offer an official trade-in service like that. You ship them only the main body unit and they ship you the new one back at a minimal fee enough to cover their costs.
@thiz
@thiz Your profile pic doesn't say you're an a**hole, your anal leak rant does. If you don't like it, go and play whatever piece of crap you do.
This would be all well and good if I didn't just buy an OG Switch just about 2 months ago.
@thiz Panic Button isn't the only port house that can do good on Switch. Virtuous handled the Switch ports of L.A. Noir & Dark Souls and they're working on the Switch version of The Outer Worlds. They also collaborated with Ubisoft on the Switch version of Starlink.
While I'm at it, I'll throw in QLOC with their work on the Switch port of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.
@PBandSmelly exactly! Why created such a divide between original switch owners and those who have or want the revision. I have been fortunate to have 0 problems with my switch and when I travel I have a reliable backup power source to get me through the intense games. The warmer screen is not my cup of tea but to each their own. There is already a mass exodus of people trading/selling their original switches and paying the extra hundred or whatnot just to get the revision. Not worth it IMO. I'm more interested in the switch lite because not only does it have the new chip set, but it gives me the option to carry smaller a device around that runs the same games, is compatible with most current peripherals and naturally has a better battery life. It will act as a complementary device rather than a replacement (and its only $200 (USD). So yeah thank my 2 pounds or cents lol
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