You have probably heard about a new version of the Nintendo Switch that's on store shelves now, and we don't mean the handheld-only Switch Lite that launched in September. Over the summer Nintendo rolled out an update to the standard Switch model with some changes under the hood which make it the one to look out for if you're about to buy a Nintendo Switch this holiday season.
But how do you know if you're getting the new Switch or the old version? And what are the differences anyway? As stores clear out old inventory the two models will likely be sitting side by side for a while, but this guide is here to help you make sure you get the newer version with its significant benefits. Read on to find where to get your hands on it, discover the differences and how to spot the new improved Nintendo Switch on shop shelves.
Where can I buy the improved Nintendo Switch online?
Some retailers are marking the new SKU separately and you'll find links to those below.
If you're buying online, you should be careful to check on delivery that you are supplied with the newer model. Some stores may treat the newer model as a like-for-like replacement for the old, and may not differentiate between the two at the point of taking your order. We doubt that retailers savvy enough to mark the new model separately would intentionally try to shift old stock on unsuspecting customers, but mistakes are easily made in distribution centres, especially with the models appearing so similar, so make sure you get what you ordered!
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
How do I tell the difference between the old and new versions in stores?
Thankfully, if you know what to look for, it's easy to make sure you're getting the improved Nintendo Switch model.
By far the easiest way is simply to look at the packaging. The new improved model is distinguished by having much more red on the box compared to the white background of the original, as you can see below:
The other way to make sure you're getting the newest model is by checking the serial number. The older models will have a serial number (found on the bottom of the box) beginning 'XAW', 'XAJ' or 'XAK'. The new model has a serial number that begins with the letters 'XKW'.
What's the difference between the new model and the regular Nintendo Switch?
The differences between the regular Nintendo Switch and this upgraded revision of the console are subtle and all internal. The console's custom Nvidia Tegra processor has been updated to a more power efficient version that runs at lower voltages and, therefore, lower temperatures. This means that while the case dimensions and most other internal components remain unchanged (including the battery) the CPU/GPU draws less power than the previous model, meaning significantly improved battery life.
Nintendo's website highlights the battery life improvements, although these figures will vary depending on the game you're playing:
| Old model | New model |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Approx. 2.5 to 6.5 hours battery life | Approximately 4.5 - 9 hours battery life |
While playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, for example, the new console should give you approximately 5.5 hours of playtime between charges, versus around 3 hours for the original model.
There are also reports that the new model features a marginally improved screen. Youtuber Kevin Kenson measured the brightness of the old screen versus the one found in the newer model and noted an uptick from 291 nits (units used to measure light intensity or luminescence) to 318 nits with the new SKU. Kenson also measured the new screen's white balance and discovered that it is more accurate than the original model - a fraction 'warmer' to the naked eye.
Additionally, while the screen might look warmer, the temperature of the console itself is decidedly cooler thanks to the revised Tegra chip using less power and generating less heat in both handheld and docked mode.
Are there any cosmetic differences between the new Nintendo Switch and the original model?
From the outside, there's almost no difference at all between the Nintendo Switch that's been available since launch and this new version. The Joy-Con are cosmetically identical, although they too have revised innards - the practical differences from the current models are unclear at this time.
Only the text on the back of the console itself will indicate any difference externally. The model number of the old model is HAC-001, as you can see from our PAL launch model:
The new revision will show the model number HAC-001(-01), so you'll know you have the best Switch currently on the market.
When is the new Nintendo Switch SKU releasing in my territory?
This is a 'silent' revision so there was no solid launch date, but it should be available in all regions now.
Should I upgrade to this new SKU if I already own a Nintendo Switch?
Ah, the $6 million question! We've wrestled with it ourselves, but ultimately it depends on your situation. If you only ever play your Switch docked with the TV, there's not much point in upgrading. If you primarily play your Switch in handheld mode (say you travel a lot or someone else always hogs the TV), the extra battery life may be very valuable to you. The improved screen is hardly a game-changer, but its slightly increased brightness might help if you tend to play your Switch out in the open. The original console holds up well in direct sunlight, but the newer model has an undeniable edge.
With the Switch Lite also available, there's be a whole new audience looking to join the Switch family to play games like Pokémon Sword and Shield and Animal Crossing: New Horizons early next year. The cheaper, handheld-only Switch Lite will be perfect for many of them, but others may well want the option to play on the TV, meaning they'll be looking for a cheaper alternative. That sounds like the perfect opportunity to sell your standard Switch and upgrade to this one!
Have you spotted the new SKU on store shelves? Will you be upgrading, or have you already upgraded? Let us know with a comment below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 65
I traded mine in for $200 and got a better switch, not crappy joycons, and a new warranty for only $100. Not too bad considering the joycons new are $80. I also traded in a some other things too. Think I paid like $30 in the end. Definitely worth it for me.
Same here. The new battery is a Godsend. Loving it ❤️❤️
I want it but I never play it handheld long enough for my battery to die, and even if I did, I have a battery pack on hand at all times... just in case.
Tempted, but I rarely play mine in handheld mode. Only thing that would make me buy this version is of these Joycons don't suffer from the drift issue, but if that the case I could just buy new Joycons.
What if I order a new Switch online, do I have to pray they send me a new model? Or should I wait until around Christmas time to get one so most of the older versions should be gone by then
I bought one and returned it after realizing it was kinda of a silly splurge impulse buy. I was going to give my daughter my old one but decided a switch Lite would better suit her and if she wants to play on the tv my OG Switch is there for that. For some I realize this minor upgrade was a must but just so people are aware the minor performance boost is a myth, and the screen upgrade is very negligible. I did side by sides with my old switch, $400(Canadian)for a better battery when I can just carry a battery pack doesn’t make sense to me.
@DTfeartheBEARD I’d just go to a store to be sure of what you’re getting.
I don't have a Switch yet and I'm impatiently waiting for it to come out in Germany. I already bought Let's Go Pikachu and Captain Toad Treasure Tracker and I can't wait to finally play them! Nintendo's website says it will be available in September... So another two weeks waiting time.
Hopefully North America will be inundated with the silent revision in a couple of months. With my schedule and finances for the next while, I won't be Switching with the rest of you until near the holidays. Guides like this definitely come in handy.
@Joker13z I did the same thing and traded my old one in. I got 225 so I basically paid 75. I was needing new joy cons anyway so it was a no brainer.
The one thing I didn’t realize is even if you log into your old account, when you put your sd card in it makes you format it for the new system. I thought I would be able to just put it in and play. So I had to redownload all of my games. The only setback to getting the new one.
@Snakesglowcaps
That sounds like a lot of work lol jk.
I'll probably just hold off in hope's of a Switch pro release within the next year or so. I already have 2 Switches and one of those Anker/Nintendo battery packs. I mostly play in handheld so that battery life would be nice though haha.
@Airsqueeble Yeah exactly what I was thinking. Except you got an even better deal than me nice. It also reminded me how freaking expensive joycons were lmao
Great! They enhanced the battery life to 85% and screen quality with this 1.01 Switch hardware update.
But most importantly, have they enhanced Joy-Con life and quality as well?
@SKTTR hard to tell right now. My old joy cons were so worn in these new ones feel nice and snappy but I don’t know if it’s just because they are new lol.
It's too much a bother to get a slightly updated system and have to spend all that time transferring data.
So if you own an older Switch and have downloaded games, data etc are able to transfer the games, data to a new Switch? would it be via Switch online service or account? I'm tempted to trade but I'm not sure.... I would have definitely done this for a Switch lite if it could be docked (which I know can't be )
Thanks to anyone who answers this question.
@Pj1 You can transfer if you have both Switches. However, if you trade the old one in for the new one you need to format the old one which will unlink your account and then link your account to your new one. All games will have to be redownloaded.
@DTfeartheBEARD if you’re a big handheld player then I totally get it. Personally after purchasing it I realized I very rarely play for long than 1.5-2 hours in handheld mode so it works fine for me lol
'The older models will have a serial number beginning 'XAW', 'XAJ' or 'XAK'. The new model has a serial number that begins with the letters 'XKW'.'
Turns out there's XKJ new model Switches too (Hong Kong ones which come with a UK charger): https://qnam.smzdm.com/201908/05/5d470373b91971517.jpg_e680.jpg
Since the third letter is apparently related to country (W=America & Australia, J=Japan, Europe, and minor regions, K=Korea) the UK stock when it arrives could well be XKJ too.
@Crono1973 thats annoying but thank q for answering my question
@Pj1 In settings under user you transfer your profile. Then all your games need to be redownloaded. Didn’t see someone had already responded. If you trade it in to EB Games they will allow you to do a system transfer before they take your old switch away.
I guess this article is for colour blind people.
If you are not colour blind buy the solid red box version!
@LUIGITORNADO big part of why I just ended up returning mine. Also the memory card can’t just be transferred over, you need to reformat it then redownload. Such a pain
I play my Switch in handheld mode a lot and I’ve never been bothered by the battery life. If I ever get kinda low and I’m not able to charge, I pop on Airplane Mode.
And none of my Joy-Cons drift, so I don’t need to replace those either.
My dock does scratch my screen actually, but I already took care of that with a dock sock from Etsy, haha.
This is totally not for me. Maybe next year we’ll see a souped up Switch model.
Picked mine up yesterday. System feels more sturdy. Screen a little brighter. Now let’s hope 6 months from now they don’t release a pro version.
@Airsqueeble @Joker13z Where did you both find the new model?
I don't travel with the Switch much anyway, but if I do, I have a large portable charger. Extra battery power in the console itself would be nice, but it's a luxury - not a necessity.
I just picked up a “new” Mariko chip switch after loving my original for over two years and I have to say it is noticeably better in every way and it is a tremendous amount better in several ways! I Love my Nintendo Switch!! It is worth buying the revision! Several of My Games including Blood Stained and Mortal Kombat 11 run even better on my “new” switch. It is much more than a simple battery upgrade. That is misleading! Enjoy Switch Gaming everyone!! -Patrick 😊👍🏻
@I_member Where did you find the new model?
I think I'd rather wait for a true revision like with a new, more powerful processor. I mean I carry around a big ole battery bank anyway.
@Airsqueeble If I recall from when I upgraded SD cards, you should be able to format the card in the Switch and then transfer everything over using a PC. I upgraded from a 200 GB to a 400 GB card and didn't have to redownload anything unless it's different when you transfer an account to a new system...
@LinktotheFuture I just saw a couple of them sitting alongside some original models at my Walmart. They're definitely out there, you might just have to check a few stores.
Now that I think about it, having some originals alongside some new ones is sure to confuse some people.
if anyone lives in the UK looks like the date is correct.. we ordered stock of the new switch today and i was told they should arrive sometime next week
@LinktotheFuture It was last week...I think Tuesday? At a local gamestop here in NC in the USA. Just walked in and a display box was just chilling on the shelf. Asked the guy and they just came in that day. So it was fate? lol
@Joker13z Cool, thanks!
@LinktotheFuture Best Buy
@I_member Cool, thanks!
@LinktotheFuture GameStop for me as well. I guess they got em in on Friday. I heard Nintendo is telling them to be secret about it because they want to get rid of the old ones first, so unless you specifically ask for a new v2 they will give you the old model. So any unsuspecting/ unknowing consumer will get the older model.
@Airsqueeble Maybe it was Friday? God my memory is bad haha. It was whenever mine got them though. Oddly enough they had a new one just sitting behind the shelf advertising it at mine. You'd think they'd want to get rid of old stock first like you said. Maybe whoever opened that day screwed that one up haha.
Is that guy in the video trying to set a new record for speech speed? The video is interesting though, especially the part when a displays specialist compares the screens. It's true that this model and presumably Lite have better screens then.
He also says that the stick modules are a different model but inside they seem to be the same according to Spawn Wave. Can't wait to see the Lite tear-down now.
my lack of better care for my current switch requires me to buy a new because my current switch is now unplayable in portable mode. Luckily i waited to buy a new one. now all I have to do is find the newer model on the market.
I'll probably hold off from getting it. I've maybe only had a handful of times that I've run out of battery on my Switch and had no means of recharging it.
Now my brother-in-law wants a Switch, and he's really trying to make sure he gets this one.
@Airsqueeble @I_member @Joker13z I went to GameStop and got $225 for my old Switch. Now just waiting for all my games to download on my new Switch.
I swapped my old Switch for the v2 Switch. And, the difference in battery life is like night and day. Finally, the Switch is worthy to leave the house and be otg. The battery life alone is worth the swap, but I also noticed a difference in the screen brightness at lower levels. I'm able to see the games more clearly at lower backlight levels. This also improves battery life.
I play docked 90% of the time, will wait for a switch Pro
The question is simple: are you constantly frustrated by inadequate battery life? If not, there's no reason to "upgrade".
@DTfeartheBEARD There'll be no Switch Pro. Nintendo simply don't do these things of selling souped up versions for "pro players" next to a basic model. At best there'll be a more substantial update that will improve screen, battery, storage and cosmetic things like a better kickstand. Yes, may as well wait at least 2 years for that.
@HalBailman Maybe instead we'll have a "New Nintendo Switch" who will be a little bit more powerfull...
I bought the new model and returned it. The left joy con was not snug when attached to the unit. Bought a 2nd one and returned it, same problem. Felt really junky. It's not the joy cons because I tested with my own as well. It's the actual console that's defective.
Anyone else have this issue with the new model? My old one fits snug as a bug.
@LinktotheFuture I traded mine in as soon as they announced it was coming out for $200 thinking the price will drop for the trade in since a new version was coming out. I was so wrong. Oh well lol
@I_member I don't blame you for thinking that. It just turns out they are having a special $25 trade in bonus for a little bit.
Not worth the side-step for me. Gonna wait for a different revision if the "Pro" model is still in the works.
I will wait for switch 2 and hopefully get a real update.
The Game Collection has made it very easy.
https://www.thegamecollection.net/switch/consoles/nintendo-switch-console-grey-longer-battery-life-switch/
https://www.thegamecollection.net/switch/consoles/nintendo-switch-console-neon-red-and-neon-blue-longer-battery-life-switch/
Better screen?!
First I hear about that.
This -IS- a game changer for me, actually!
"The Joy-Con are cosmetically identical, although they too have revised innards - the practical differences from the current models are unclear at this time."
Does this mean Nintendo may have found a solution to stop drifting? I hope so. It hasn't happened to me but I keep worrying that it might.
I dropped by my local Walmart last night to grab a few things and noticed that they had the new silent revisions mixed in with the old ones. They're definitely live in the US.
I don't see the point personally. Everywhere has plugs anyway to charge things these days because of Smart phones and my battery last just fine portably particularly if you use airplane mode.
Even my work has plugs in the break room. If people want it great but it's not getting a performance boost at all and saying it is like at least one comment here does is misleading.
The extra battery life is amazing! Very happy I upgraded, and well worth the $75 after trading in my old Switch.
I traded in my old Switch and a couple of games for the new one plus a warranty and screen protector. I basically updated it for free. It didn't cost me anything and I have money left over. They let me transfer my data in the store.
Many of the games I traded in are free PS Plus games now and they give $5 extra for trade ins so it was a no brainer.
Just got my new one rolling! It feels more sturdy for sure, all of the parts are slightly more stable- kickstand, joy con, game slot etc. was scary transferring my account over but it worked out- and sad to let go of my ol baby but it’s cool. 😭 You do have to erase your Sd card and reformat so be aware of that!
Also - it’s a bummer that when you organize your library by total play time, it’s all reset to zero ( I liked seeing my play time compared. Otherwise I’m stoked for it!
Mine is coming in two weeks so I hope it would impress me. Would be tough to transfer everything I had in my older Switch to the newer ones though.
@Airsqueeble @Joker13z that was my thinking as well,,, almost bought new cons a month ago then thought of this route! Sold my ol baby on Craigslist for $240 w a wired power A controller. $60 for better quality refreshed system is a deal. I’m always playing in tabletop mode bc my mom sleeps in my living room. Nice to not have to charge it as much. And when I go to my girlfriends house she doesn’t have a tv, so now I can bring my system over without having to lug my charger around !
I don't own a switch but want one. I'm waiting for a new one though. I know some people say the battery life isn't a big enough plus point. But it's not just battery life, the new run runs a bit cooler too. If I'm gonna play docked a lot I'd rather have the new version.
They're now in Michigan at Best Buy. I think I'm gonna finally get one.
Why are there so many reports of the new switch model number starting with HAD ? So confusing !
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