Fresh report claims new Nintendo Switch model ‘will release mid-2020’

Nintendo will reportedly launch a new Switch model in mid-2020.

Citing sources from the related supply chain, Taiwanese website DigiTimes says the new Switch hardware will enter mass production in the first quarter of this year.

A Nintendo spokesperson told VGC the company doesn’t comment on rumour and speculation.

UPDATE: DigiTimes claims the new Switch will come with a magnesium alloy body (instead of plastic) and an improved CPU.

Original story continues: With PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X due to arrive in late 2020, a number of reports have now suggested Nintendo could seek to combat the launches with new hardware of its own.

The Wall Street Journal claimed in 2019 that Nintendo was planning a more powerful Nintendo Switch hardware revision, with “enhanced features targeted at avid gamers”, in order to continue the platform’s sales momentum.

And Japan-based Kantan Games analyst Dr. Serkan Toto recently predicted in a GI.biz article that the upgraded Switch hardware will launch this year.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Nintendo will launch a ‘Switch Pro’ in 2020, my guess is at $399,” he said.

“More specifically, I predict 4K support, bigger cartridge sizes, and of course beefed-up components. I also think the device will launch after the summer holidays to counter the roll-out of the PS5 and next-gen Xbox later in the year – along with a first-party, system-seller game.”

Analysts have suggested Nintendo Switch may have a longer than expected life cycle during which it surpasses Wii’s sales total of 102.63 million units. Switch launched in March 2017 and had sold some 42 million units as of September 30, 2019.

In 2019 Nintendo released the cheaper Nintendo Switch Lite and refreshed the flagship Nintendo Switch model with a longer battery life.

The platform holder recently said it hopes to continue selling the Switch family of consoles for as long as possible and that it has no plans for a Switch price cut.

Nintendo is reportedly planning to release “at least” two Wii U ports for Switch in 2020, with the company likely to detail its plans in an upcoming Nintendo Direct live stream.