Joy-Con Guides

Pro Controller Guides

Background and Identification

The Switch is a hybrid gaming system—designed mainly as a traditional home console connected to a television, but the console can be removed from its docking station for handheld/portable use.

The Switch consists of several hardware components that can be configured on the fly depending on the user's play style:

  • The Switch Console, a tablet-like unit with an integrated battery and 6.2-inch touchscreen
  • The Switch Dock, which functions as a charging station and audio/video connection to the user's television
  • The Joy-Con controllers, dubbed Joy-Con L and Joy-Con R, which can be used independently or as a pair, or attached to the Switch Console via its side rails, or connected to the Joy-Con Grip for use as a single controller

The Switch was quietly refreshed in 2019 with an updated processor and memory chips that increase the console’s power efficiency, boosting battery life from the estimated 2.5-6.5 hours to 4.5-9 hours on a single charge. Other than that, this newer version is identical in size, shape, and functionality to the original version.

Nintendo released an upgraded Switch in October 2021 with an OLED screen, again this newer version is the same size and shape as the original version and is compatible with the same games and accessories.

The most often replaced Nintendo Switch parts include the battery, screen, and motherboard.

Specifications

Switch Console

Display

  • 6.2" with 1280 x 720 resolution

CPU/GPU

  • NVIDIA customized Tegra processor

Onboard Storage

  • 32 GB
  • Expandable via microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC memory cards

Wireless Connectivity

  • 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 4.1

Ports

  • USB Type-C
  • 3.5 mm audio jack

Maximum Resolution in TV Mode

  • 1920 x 1080 at 60 FPS

Media

  • Proprietary Switch solid-state game cards

Sensors

  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor

Battery

  • 4310 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable

Switch Dock

Ports

  • 2x USB 2.0 ports (USB 3.0 support will be added in a future update)
  • HDMI port
  • System connector
  • AC power adapter port

Joy-Con

Sensors

  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • IR motion camera (Joy-Con R only)

Connectivity

  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • NFC

Battery

  • 525 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable

Additional Information