Nintendo's Switch Lite Offers Better Battery Life Than The Switch

Nintendo Switch Lite owners will have to make a number of concessions should they choose the new handheld system over its larger sibling. Battery life, however, won't be one of them.

GameSpot is reporting that, as per the official Nintendo specs for the two systems, the Nintendo Switch Lite actually boasts a longer battery life than the original Switch. While the 2017 model manages to get somewhere between 2.5 and 6.5 hours of battery life, the Switch Lite manages to eek out an extra half hour on both sides, ranging from 3 hours to 7 hours.

This will, of course, vary depending on the game you happen to be playing. Something more graphically intensive like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will likely devour more battery than playing an NES game via Nintendo Switch Online. But still, this is a welcome development, especially for current Switch owners who primarily play on the go.

If you're someone who has no use for the Switch's TV dock and you won't miss the detachable Joy-Cons, you could probably sell your current Switch, buy a Switch Lite, and potentially break even on the money side while gaining more portability. Not bad.

The Nintendo Switch Lite figures to be a hot seller come this holiday season, with The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening arriving on the Lite's launch day, along with Pokemon Sword and Shield coming later this year. Priced at a cool $100 less than the original Switch, it's more affordable for families who might want to replace a Nintendo 3DS, or for households where more than one Switch is necessary to keep the peace.

You'll be giving up the home console side of the Switch, sure. But a $200 way to play the already-stellar lineup of Switch titles could be worth that sacrifice. Plus it has a d-pad.

The Nintendo Switch Lite launches on Sept. 20, 2019 with a MSRP of $199.99.