There are essentially three different Nintendo Switch models available, the original Nintendo Switch, the updated version, and the Nintendo Switch Lite. The difference between these three models is battery life, with the Nintendo Switch Lite being a handheld-only device with controllers. But, it appears that a new Nintendo Switch model is arriving this year, according to a recent report from Digitimes.
Nintendo is prepared to introduce a new Nintendo Switch model in the middle of this year with volume production scheduled to start at the end of the first quarter of this year, according to Taiwanese site Digitimes. The details about this report, according to the site, come from sources in the supply chain for the upcoming device. The recent report seems to align with the previous report released by The Wall Street Journal last year.
Last year, Wall Street Journal reporter Takashi Mochizuki reported that Nintendo had ideas to prolong the overall life cycle of Nintendo devices. Nintendo plans to release the new Nintendo Switch model with a magnesium alloy body with an updated CPU, according to Digitimes. In August last year, Mochizuki detailed the company's plan to release two new Nintendo switch models, which includes the updated Switch with better battery life and the handheld-only Switch Lite, which were both launched in August and September, respectively.
Unfortunately, we have no solid information about the alleged new Nintendo Switch model. But, speculations have it that the next console might be a Switch Pro device."There's no doubt in [his] mind that Nintendo will launch a 'Switch Pro' in 2020" - specifically, "after the summer holidays to counter the roll-out of the PS5 and next-gen Xbox later in the year," says Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of game industry consultancy Kantan Games in an interview with Games Industry. The CEO suggests that the Nintendo Switch Pro might retail at $399 with 4K support, much bigger cartridge sizes, and improved components.
But, there are others who are skeptical about this. The possibility of a Nintendo Switch Pro device "has significantly diminished since the launch of an improved flagship Switch and the Switch Lite," says IHS Markit Technology analyst Piers Harding-Rolls. He adds that this year will be the best year for the hybrid console in terms of sales since it was officially released.
The idea of Nintendo coming up with a new hybrid gaming console is not out of the question, particularly this year, considering that both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are expected to arrive before the year ends. In the US, only the Nintendo switch and Nintendo Switch Lite are currently available.
