Nintendo Switch 2 has a shorter battery life than previous models

Nintendo has revealed new specs for the Switch 2 console, and while there are notable improvements in performance, size and supported technologies, there are some frankly disappointing points. One of the main ones is the decreased battery life

The battery life has gotten shorter

According to Nintendo, the Switch 2’s battery will provide 2 to 6.5 hours of playtime, depending on load. That’s noticeably less than the current Switch models. For example, Switch OLED with a serial number starting with XT, the manufacturer claims it runs from 4.5 to 9 hours. Even the basic Switch (the XK series) offers a similar range. And the very first Switch model (the XA series), despite an older chipset, offers a minimum 2.5 hours.

The decrease in battery life is obviously due to the improved performance and new hardware. In the battle for improved visual quality and speed Nintendo has had to compromise -power is now literally “powered” by the battery.

Wi-Fi 6 and 120 FPS support – but not HDMI 2.1

The positive technical changes include Wi-Fi 6 support, which will provide a more stable and faster connection in wireless mode, especially when the console is not connected to a dock.

Nintendo also points out that the Switch 2 supports up to 120 frames per second at resolutions of 1920×1080 and 2560×1440, which is especially relevant for gamers who value smoothness. However, despite this, no HDMI 2.1 support is announced. This means a number of advanced features (such as variable refresh rates) won’t be available even on modern TVs.

Joy-Con 2 controllers: no IR sensors

The second-generation controllers, the Joy-Con 2, retain support for Amiibo and other key features, but lose IR sensors previously used for motion tracking. This may disappoint fans of Wii-style controls and games that make heavy use of motion detection – such as older versions of Metroid or ARMS.

It’s important to realize that support for gyroscope and accelerometer is still there, which means that the basic motion-control features will still be there. It’s just that motion tracking is now implemented differently – according to preliminary reports, Metroid Prime 4 the aiming elements have been replaced with mouse-style controls, without the use of IR.

Should we be worried?

Although the reduced battery life and lack of some features may confuse enthusiasts, Nintendo’s overall strategy with Switch 2 remains clear: the company is focusing on improving graphics, speed, and content interaction while sacrificing some secondary features.

For most gamersthese changes are unlikely to be decisive. But those planning to use Switch 2 on the road without frequent access to a charger should take note: the new console may require a power bank sooner than the previous version.