06-30-2019, 05:02 AM
Guide: Switch Pro And Switch Mini: Everything We Know So Far
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Switch Mini Switch Pro" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/switch-mini-switch-pro.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/switch-mini-switch-pro.900x.jpg" alt="Switch Mini Switch Pro"></a></figure>
<p>Nintendo is no stranger to updating and iterating its hardware. Ever since the days of the NES, the company has seen the value in <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/talking_point_the_sound_strategy_behind_2ds_points_to_a_switch_mini">refreshing its consoles</a> to maintain consumer interest, introduce new features and bring down the cost of manufacture, and that approach hasn’t changed in over 30 years.</p>
<p>Therefore, reports that Nintendo is working on two new Switch models should come as absolutely no surprise, but given that the Kyoto veteran is yet to formally announce these systems, there’s obviously a lot of speculation and rumour floating around right now – and we plan to cover all of the solid leads here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/04/the_switch_mini_isnt_real_yet_but_these_mock-ups_sure_are_convincing">Wishful thinking aside</a>, hints that Nintendo was working on revised Switch hardware came as early as October 2018, with The Wall Street Journal claiming that a <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/10/rumour_new_nintendo_switch_sku_planned_for_late_2019">new Switch SKU</a> was on the way. At the time, it was said that Nintendo was still “undecided” on how it would upgrade the new model, but the plans were clearly already in place.</p>
<p>Then, in January, analysts predicted that we’d see not one but <em>two</em> new models – <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/gaming_analysts_predict_switch_pro_and_switch_lite_revisions_for_2019">a Switch Pro and a Switch Lite</a> – would be going into production. Of course, these were just predictions made by people who closely watch the industry, but given Nintendo’s track record of updating its systems, it was a fair assessment of the situation – although <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/nintendo_is_not_considering_a_switch_successor_or_price_cut_at_this_time_says_president">Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa</a> was quick to dismiss any rumours.</p>
<p>Then, a month later, Japanese business publication Nikkei added more weight to reports that a smaller, <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/rumour_nikkei_suggests_smaller_and_more_affordable_switch_hardware_is_on_the_way">cheaper version of the Switch</a> was in development. The aim, according to one source, is to reduce costs by removing certain functions and focus on the portability aspect of the machine – which would hint that any new ‘Lite’ model would be seen as a potential replacement for the outgoing 3DS.</p>
<p>In June 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported that <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/nintendo_moves_switch_manufacturing_out_of_china_two_new_models_reportedly_in_production">Nintendo was moving production out of China</a> “to limit the impact of possible U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made electronics”, according to “people who work on Nintendo’s supply chain”. As part of this report, it was revealed that <em>three</em> Switch models will be produced at the new site in Southeast Asia – which would suggest that the current model, a Lite version and a Pro version are all being made.</p>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Mini – What We Know So Far</h2>
<figure class="picture strip">
<div class="img"><a title="Switch Mini" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/c64fd4f5e2a8e/switch-mini.original.jpg"><img class="lazy" src="http://static.nintendolife.com/blank.gif" data-original="http://images.nintendolife.com/c64fd4f5e2a8e/switch-mini.900x.jpg" alt="Switch Mini"></a><span class="image-credit" title="Image Credit">© HonSon</span></div>
</figure>
<p>Out of the two models, it’s the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/talking_point_what_do_you_want_from_a_switch_mini">Switch Mini</a> which has perhaps gained the most traction in terms of rumours and speculation so far.</p>
<p>From the evidence, we have so far, the machine will have a smaller, 5-inch screen and won’t have removable Joy-Con – although it will naturally still work with Joy-Con purchased separately. It will still apparently be compatible with the existing dock, but won’t ship with one in the box. Also, it is expected to have a ‘proper’ D-Pad, rather than a cluster of four buttons on the left of the console.</p>
<p>In June 2019, we got what appeared to be our first look at the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/is_this_our_first_real_look_at_nintendo_switch_mini_update_company_responds">Switch Mini</a> thanks to a host of accessories from Chinese company HonSon. The company created its own render of the system based on “secret information”; the design backs up other reports that the machine has built-in controls and a D-Pad, and that it will be smaller than the existing Switch model. This was seemingly backed up by the fact that the Spanish arm of retailer GAME posted <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/switch_mini_rumours_escalate_as_spanish_arm_of_game_lists_accessories">Switch Mini accessories</a> a week later (these were quickly removed).</p>
<figure class="picture strip">
<div class="img"><a title="Switch Mini" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/cd942f28f2886/switch-mini.original.jpg"><img class="lazy" src="http://static.nintendolife.com/blank.gif" data-original="http://images.nintendolife.com/cd942f28f2886/switch-mini.900x.jpg" alt="Switch Mini"></a><span class="image-credit" title="Image Credit">© HonSon</span></div>
</figure>
<p>Shortly after this, <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/nintendo_acknowledges_switch_mini_rumours_says_it_is_always_developing_new_hardware">Nintendo responded</a> by saying that “answering to rumours and speculations would end up stealing surprises from our customers and also be unprofitable to all of our shareholders, so we have no answer to that. As a general theory, we are always performing development of new hardware.”</p>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Mini – Release Date</h2>
<p>If Nintendo is ramping up production of its new consoles then it would be realistic to expect a release before Christmas, but sources we’ve spoken to have admitted they are doubtful it will launch in 2019; it <em>could</em> be early 2020 before we see any new hardware.</p>
<p>However, realistically, we’d expect Nintendo to at least have the Switch Mini on store shelves before Christmas, as the 3DS will be all but dead by that point and a gap in the market will exist for a low-cost Switch entry point.</p>
<p>Speaking of the 3DS, remember when the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/say_hello_to_the_nintendo_2ds_a_3ds_without_3d">2DS</a> was announced? Nintendo confirmed the machine was a thing in August and released it in October, two months later. Could we see a repeat of that with the Switch Mini? <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/06/nintendo_denies_3ds_redesign_wii_u_price_revelation">It’s also worth noting that Nintendo denied a redesign was even coming</a>.</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXxIwEcFYvo?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Pro – What We Know So Far</h2>
<p>There’s less info floating around about the Nintendo Switch Pro, but we do know that Nvidia is working on a <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/rumour_new_nvidia_shield_tv_could_share_the_same_chipset_as_the_upgraded_switch">new version of the Tegra X1</a> which is found inside the Switch. This could end up in both the Pro and the Mini, according to reports.</p>
<p>Nvidia has already stated that it expects to have a <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/05/could_a_switch_mini_be_key_to_nvidias_financial_revival">bumper year</a>, and some have joined the dots and connected this positivity with increased demand for components from Nintendo for Switch Mini and Switch Pro.</p>
<p>As for what improvements the Pro will offer over the existing machine, an <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/digital_foundry_investigates_new_chip_potentially_destined_for_switch_mini_and_switch_pro">improved Tegra X1</a> should mean better power efficiency and less energy consumption, which <em>should</em> mean better battery life. Those expecting a massive leap in performance between this model and the existing Switch may be disappointed; even a comparison with the 3DS / New 3DS might be off the mark, as Digital Foundry believe that the ‘Pro’ revision is more about making the chip more efficient and not about boosting power, as we’ve seen with the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro.</p>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Pro – Release Date</h2>
<p>Given that we’ve heard less about the Pro then the Mini, it’s tempting to speculate that it will be coming later on – perhaps even as late as next year. This is pure speculation, however; it’s entirely possible that Nintendo will announce both at the same time.</p>
</div>
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Switch Mini Switch Pro" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/switch-mini-switch-pro.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/18697b9fd0372/switch-mini-switch-pro.900x.jpg" alt="Switch Mini Switch Pro"></a></figure>
<p>Nintendo is no stranger to updating and iterating its hardware. Ever since the days of the NES, the company has seen the value in <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/talking_point_the_sound_strategy_behind_2ds_points_to_a_switch_mini">refreshing its consoles</a> to maintain consumer interest, introduce new features and bring down the cost of manufacture, and that approach hasn’t changed in over 30 years.</p>
<p>Therefore, reports that Nintendo is working on two new Switch models should come as absolutely no surprise, but given that the Kyoto veteran is yet to formally announce these systems, there’s obviously a lot of speculation and rumour floating around right now – and we plan to cover all of the solid leads here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/04/the_switch_mini_isnt_real_yet_but_these_mock-ups_sure_are_convincing">Wishful thinking aside</a>, hints that Nintendo was working on revised Switch hardware came as early as October 2018, with The Wall Street Journal claiming that a <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/10/rumour_new_nintendo_switch_sku_planned_for_late_2019">new Switch SKU</a> was on the way. At the time, it was said that Nintendo was still “undecided” on how it would upgrade the new model, but the plans were clearly already in place.</p>
<p>Then, in January, analysts predicted that we’d see not one but <em>two</em> new models – <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/gaming_analysts_predict_switch_pro_and_switch_lite_revisions_for_2019">a Switch Pro and a Switch Lite</a> – would be going into production. Of course, these were just predictions made by people who closely watch the industry, but given Nintendo’s track record of updating its systems, it was a fair assessment of the situation – although <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/nintendo_is_not_considering_a_switch_successor_or_price_cut_at_this_time_says_president">Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa</a> was quick to dismiss any rumours.</p>
<p>Then, a month later, Japanese business publication Nikkei added more weight to reports that a smaller, <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/rumour_nikkei_suggests_smaller_and_more_affordable_switch_hardware_is_on_the_way">cheaper version of the Switch</a> was in development. The aim, according to one source, is to reduce costs by removing certain functions and focus on the portability aspect of the machine – which would hint that any new ‘Lite’ model would be seen as a potential replacement for the outgoing 3DS.</p>
<p>In June 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported that <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/nintendo_moves_switch_manufacturing_out_of_china_two_new_models_reportedly_in_production">Nintendo was moving production out of China</a> “to limit the impact of possible U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made electronics”, according to “people who work on Nintendo’s supply chain”. As part of this report, it was revealed that <em>three</em> Switch models will be produced at the new site in Southeast Asia – which would suggest that the current model, a Lite version and a Pro version are all being made.</p>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Mini – What We Know So Far</h2>
<figure class="picture strip">
<div class="img"><a title="Switch Mini" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/c64fd4f5e2a8e/switch-mini.original.jpg"><img class="lazy" src="http://static.nintendolife.com/blank.gif" data-original="http://images.nintendolife.com/c64fd4f5e2a8e/switch-mini.900x.jpg" alt="Switch Mini"></a><span class="image-credit" title="Image Credit">© HonSon</span></div>
</figure>
<p>Out of the two models, it’s the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/talking_point_what_do_you_want_from_a_switch_mini">Switch Mini</a> which has perhaps gained the most traction in terms of rumours and speculation so far.</p>
<p>From the evidence, we have so far, the machine will have a smaller, 5-inch screen and won’t have removable Joy-Con – although it will naturally still work with Joy-Con purchased separately. It will still apparently be compatible with the existing dock, but won’t ship with one in the box. Also, it is expected to have a ‘proper’ D-Pad, rather than a cluster of four buttons on the left of the console.</p>
<p>In June 2019, we got what appeared to be our first look at the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/is_this_our_first_real_look_at_nintendo_switch_mini_update_company_responds">Switch Mini</a> thanks to a host of accessories from Chinese company HonSon. The company created its own render of the system based on “secret information”; the design backs up other reports that the machine has built-in controls and a D-Pad, and that it will be smaller than the existing Switch model. This was seemingly backed up by the fact that the Spanish arm of retailer GAME posted <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/switch_mini_rumours_escalate_as_spanish_arm_of_game_lists_accessories">Switch Mini accessories</a> a week later (these were quickly removed).</p>
<figure class="picture strip">
<div class="img"><a title="Switch Mini" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/cd942f28f2886/switch-mini.original.jpg"><img class="lazy" src="http://static.nintendolife.com/blank.gif" data-original="http://images.nintendolife.com/cd942f28f2886/switch-mini.900x.jpg" alt="Switch Mini"></a><span class="image-credit" title="Image Credit">© HonSon</span></div>
</figure>
<p>Shortly after this, <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/nintendo_acknowledges_switch_mini_rumours_says_it_is_always_developing_new_hardware">Nintendo responded</a> by saying that “answering to rumours and speculations would end up stealing surprises from our customers and also be unprofitable to all of our shareholders, so we have no answer to that. As a general theory, we are always performing development of new hardware.”</p>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Mini – Release Date</h2>
<p>If Nintendo is ramping up production of its new consoles then it would be realistic to expect a release before Christmas, but sources we’ve spoken to have admitted they are doubtful it will launch in 2019; it <em>could</em> be early 2020 before we see any new hardware.</p>
<p>However, realistically, we’d expect Nintendo to at least have the Switch Mini on store shelves before Christmas, as the 3DS will be all but dead by that point and a gap in the market will exist for a low-cost Switch entry point.</p>
<p>Speaking of the 3DS, remember when the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/say_hello_to_the_nintendo_2ds_a_3ds_without_3d">2DS</a> was announced? Nintendo confirmed the machine was a thing in August and released it in October, two months later. Could we see a repeat of that with the Switch Mini? <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/06/nintendo_denies_3ds_redesign_wii_u_price_revelation">It’s also worth noting that Nintendo denied a redesign was even coming</a>.</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXxIwEcFYvo?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Pro – What We Know So Far</h2>
<p>There’s less info floating around about the Nintendo Switch Pro, but we do know that Nvidia is working on a <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/rumour_new_nvidia_shield_tv_could_share_the_same_chipset_as_the_upgraded_switch">new version of the Tegra X1</a> which is found inside the Switch. This could end up in both the Pro and the Mini, according to reports.</p>
<p>Nvidia has already stated that it expects to have a <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/05/could_a_switch_mini_be_key_to_nvidias_financial_revival">bumper year</a>, and some have joined the dots and connected this positivity with increased demand for components from Nintendo for Switch Mini and Switch Pro.</p>
<p>As for what improvements the Pro will offer over the existing machine, an <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/digital_foundry_investigates_new_chip_potentially_destined_for_switch_mini_and_switch_pro">improved Tegra X1</a> should mean better power efficiency and less energy consumption, which <em>should</em> mean better battery life. Those expecting a massive leap in performance between this model and the existing Switch may be disappointed; even a comparison with the 3DS / New 3DS might be off the mark, as Digital Foundry believe that the ‘Pro’ revision is more about making the chip more efficient and not about boosting power, as we’ve seen with the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro.</p>
<h2>Nintendo Switch Pro – Release Date</h2>
<p>Given that we’ve heard less about the Pro then the Mini, it’s tempting to speculate that it will be coming later on – perhaps even as late as next year. This is pure speculation, however; it’s entirely possible that Nintendo will announce both at the same time.</p>
</div>