Nintendo is reportedly allowing several people to trade in their newly purchased Switch consoles for the new and upgraded version.
Switch owners who bought their first-generation consoles on or after July 17, which is the same day the upgrade was confirmed by Nintendo, are eligible for the free swap.
A Free Upgrade From Nintendo
The company isn't announcing the free upgrades, but several users who were able to have their consoles successfully replaced have shared about their experience on social media. Best of all, it comes at no additional cost, other than shipping back to Nintendo.
Reports of the free exchange first surfaced on Reddit, where one user u/DarthMewtwo recounted reaching out to Nintendo for a free upgrade. According to the user, the company told him that consoles purchased after July 17 could be exchanged for the newer model.
Shipping costs and insurance are covered by the Switch owners seeking replacements, according to an unnamed user who also spoke to Nintendo.
Polygon reached out to a Nintendo representative who confirmed the details shared by the Reddit users. The representative said customers can transfer purchases made on their original consoles to their new ones with the use of a Nintendo Switch Online account.
The offer appears to be exclusive to Nintendo America, which covers the United States and Canada. However, it's unknown how long the company will be offering free exchanges.
Is An Upgrade Worth It?
Since consumers will need to shell out shipping money for the exchange, some eligible owners may be wondering if it's worth to make the swap.
The main draw of the new upgrade, referred to as Switch V2 by several retailers, is the upgraded battery life, so consumers will need to decide how much they want or need longer game times.
While the two versions look the same, V2 boasts a significantly longer battery life. Nintendo's website puts the original Switch's battery life at 2.5 to 6.5 hours, while the new Switch's battery life is 4.5 to nine hours.
According to tests by Tom's Guide, the new Switch lasted about four hours and 50 minutes, nearly double of the original Nintendo Switch that only lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The reviewer noted that the unit used to test the original version is older with more wear and tear on it, but the difference between the two Switch consoles is still very significant.
The Nintendo Switch Lite, which is hand-held only, is also currently available for pre-order.
