Yesterday, Nintendo held a lengthy Direct showcase that went over the specifications and features of its upcoming next-gen console, the Nintendo Switch 2. While we know enough about its new and improved features, the company has revealed that the console will contain a higher capacity battery than the original Switch. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will have a longer battery life than its predecessor. In fact, it might be the opposite.
As reported by Video Games Chronicle, the Nintendo Switch 2 console will contaiin a 5220mAh lithium-ion battery. By comparison, the original Switch has a 4310mAh battery while the Switch Lite contains a 3570mAh battery. On paper, this seems like the Switch 2 will have a greater battery life. However, since Switch 2 games will require quite a bit more power to run, the higher capacity battery won’t equate to a longer battery life in this circumstance.
The official specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 mention that the next-gen console will have provide 2 to 6.5 hours of battery life, though a side note mentions: “These are rough estimates. The battery life will depend on the games you play.”
The original Switch’s officially stated battery life is 4.5 to 9 hours long, while the Lite’s battery life lasts 3 to 7 hours depending on the games played. Switch 2 games are going to require a bit more power in that department, meaning the battery life span will be considerably shorter on the new console. The good news is Nintendo says the Switch 2 will take around 3 hours to fully charge while in Sleep Mode, so you’ll just have to be mindful of when and where you use the console while portable.
In other news, Nintendo has implemented a “special criteria” for Switch 2 pre-orders to combat scalpers. Players who want to pre-order the console will be required to have a Nintendo Switch Online account and have subscribed to the service for at least two years. You can read more about this criteria here.
Nintendo Switch 2 launches on 5 June 2025.
Source: Video Games Chronicle
