New Nintendo Switch ‘goes on sale in Hong Kong and Australia’
Upgraded model said to sport significantly improved battery life
Nintendo’s upgraded Switch hardware has reportedly gone on sale in Australia and Hong Kong.
The new model is said to include significantly improved battery life of 4.5-9 hours, compared to 2.5-6.5 from the original Switch and 3-7 hours offered by the upcoming Switch Lite. Totals vary depending on the game being played and the usage conditions.
The new Switch model has been given a vague “mid-August” date for North American and Japan, while Nintendo UK told VGC to expect it in that region starting early September.
But Hong Kong and Australian stores seem to have started selling the new Switch model from August 1.
A filing lodged with the US Federal Communications Commission in July showed Nintendo was seeking regulatory permission to upgrade the existing Switch model, which launched in March 2017, with a new processor and flash storage chips.
Meanwhile, Switch Lite was announced in July. A smaller, lighter system that can’t be connected to a TV, it will launch on September 20 for $200 and will be available in three colours: yellow, grey and turquoise.
A limited edition Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Switch Lite console will also be released in November.
Nintendo has also announced plans to launch new Joy-Con colours, in the form of a blue/neon yellow set and a neon purple/neon orange pair, on October 4. UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but they’ll cost $79.99 in the US.
