Switch 2's battery life is worse than the original Switch
Watt's up.
Nintendo has confirmed the battery life for its upcoming console, the Switch 2.
After a rather choc full Direct yesterday, which gave us a look at Switch 2 games such as Drag x Drive and Mario Kart World, a few more little titbits of information have started making the rounds. This includes the console's all important battery life.
As shared on a separate spec sheet for Switch 2, Nintendo's next console will house a Lithium ion battery, with a battery capacity of 5220 mAh. Meanwhile, its battery life is "Approx. 2 - 6.5 hours". Nintendo notes this is just an "estimate" life span, and adds "the battery life will depend on the games you play and usage conditions".
While Nintendo itself doesn't go into specifics about which games it is referring to here, it is fair to assume that playing a smaller indie game on a pleasant spring afternoon with a mild breeze blowing will see the console lasting longer in its handheld mode than if you were having a full blown battle in Elden Ring during a 40°C heatwave.
Charging time for the console, meanwhile, is approximately three hours while in sleep mode.
To compare the upcoming Switch 2's battery life to other Switch devices, here's what Nintendo's support page states:
Once fully charged, the battery duration for the console varies depending on model and on the software application and functions being used.
- For Nintendo Switch - OLED Model with a serial number that starts with "XT", the battery life is approximately 4.5 to 9 hours.
- For Nintendo Switch consoles with a serial number that starts with "XK", the battery life is approximately 4.5 to 9 hours.
- For Nintendo Switch consoles with a serial number that starts with "XA", the battery life is approximately 2.5 to 6.5 hours.
- For Nintendo Switch Lite, the battery life is approximately 3 to 7 hours.
Elsewhere in Nintendo Switch 2 news, it looks like Nintendo's next console will be making things a little easier for the avid screenshot sharers and gameplay clippers out there. Additionally, Nintendo quietly confirmed some physical releases on the console won't have any game data on the included game card.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is due to be released on 5th June. You can catch up with all the details in our dedicated Switch 2 Nintendo Direct: Everything announced article here.