Nintendo are planning to release a cheaper version of the Nintendo Switch in June, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Rumours have been circulating about new models of the Nintendo Switch for a few months now following The Wall Street Journals report back in October that Nintendo planned to release a new model in 2019. That report was followed by another one in March of this year which pointed towards there being two new models of the Switch, with one being more expensive and one being cheaper than the standard model.
Bloomberg’s new report, in which they identify their sources as “two people familiar with the matter”, corroborates that theory and suggests that the release of the cheaper model may come sooner than we would think. The report reads:
“Growth in the current period will get a boost from the launch of a new, cheaper version of the Switch, according to two people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss private plans. The new device will likely be launched by the end of June, according to one of the people. The existing Switch will receive a modest upgrade this year, though a more powerful version is not in the works, the people said.”
If true, it’ll be interesting to see what features Nintendo drop for the cheaper model and add for the more expensive model. The earlier reports regarding the matter suggested that the more expensive model “won’t be as powerful as Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 4 Pro or Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox One X”, although it will have “enhanced features targeted at avid videogamers”. The cheaper model, meanwhile, is expected to drop unnecessary functions such as controller vibration, and there have also been rumours that Nintendo may drop the dock for the cheaper model as they aim it to be a long term replacement for the Nintendo 3DS.
Nintendo has so far made no comment on the rumours or any announcement regarding new Switch models, but I’d expect us to hear some form of announcement about them at E3 in June.
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