How to spot the NEW Nintendo Switch this Black Friday – and avoid buying near-identical ‘worse’ model
SOME Nintendo Switch models now have doubled battery life, but you'll have to look for clues on the box before you buy one this Black Friday.
The "quiet" upgrade means that some older versions of the Switch will still be on sale.
This isn't a Nintendo Switch 2: instead, the portable console has been upgraded with a more efficient processor.
As a result, the newer Switch lasts between 4.5 and 9 hours per charge.
That's compared to the original Switch, which only lasts between 2.5 and 6.5 hours between charges.
The only way to make sure you're getting the newer model is to look out for subtle clues on the outside of the box.
One big clue is that the new Switch box has a red background, rather than white.
The Joy-Con controllers have also switched sides, and are now on the right side of the box.
The old box had a big hand placing the Switch into its dock, but that's now gone.
And the red Joy-Con controller is now sticking up out of its holding unit.
Another major clue is the serial number on the bottom of the box – the newer model should start with the letters XKW.
The obvious problem here is that it's much trickier to perform these checks if you're buying online.
So making a digital purchase could result in you getting the older model.
A more fail-safe way to get the new model is to simply walk into your local game shop.
Of course, the original Nintendo Switch is still a perfectly fine console, and battery life won't make a difference if it's plugged into your telly.
But if you plan to regularly use the Switch while out and about, it might be worth grabbing the improved Switch – given that it's the exact same price.
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