The Nintendo Switch is a popular gaming console that is both portable and can be used as a docked device to play at home. It has millions of users worldwide and the device has released four versions so far.
Despite the popularity, there is a concern when it comes to the Nintendo Switch – its battery life. The portable console only has a few hours under its sleeve and if drained, you might be wondering how long until it gets back on its feet. Luckily, we are here to answer that.
How Long Does it Take A Nintendo Switch To Charge
The Nintendo Switch takes 3.5 hours on average for it to charge from 0 to 100 using the supplied AC adapter. However, outside factors such as battery age will also affect the charge time.
If you are using a third-party charger, then the charge time might get slower especially if you are using an old USB-C power brick.
How Long Do I Need To Charge Before The Nintendo Switch Turns On
A charging Nintendo Switch will have a battery icon indicator with a lightning symbol in the middle. If your Nintendo Switch is drained, then it might take a while before the symbol appears. You may turn on your Switch once it reaches 1%. But it is recommended that you wait until 5 to 10% before turning it on and using it again.
Leaving your drained Nintendo Switch for a good 15-30 minutes is a good measure to make sure that it gets filled up at its lowest point before turning it on again.
Older Nintendo Switch models such as the first version might take longer before it charges to 1%. Newer models usually take 10-15 minutes.
How Long Does The Nintendo Switch Last While Playing
There are different models of Nintendo Switch available today. Here are their respective average battery life.
- Nintendo Switch V1 (Original Model) – 2.5 to 6.5 hours
- Nintendo Switch V2 (Refresh) – 4.5 to 9 hours
- Nintendo Switch OLED (latest) – 4.5 to 9 hours
- Nintendo Switch Lite – 3 to 7 hours
The battery life of each Nintendo Switch depends on several factors such as the game, volume, screen brightness, and game mode (whether it is handheld or with the wireless joy-cons).
Is It Okay To Charge Nintendo Switch While Playing
Yes! The Nintendo Switch is built to be played while charging or on the go. The dock is made to maintain the battery at 100% if you are playing it in docked mode.
You may also play while charging your Nintendo Switch. But there will be more heat build-up at the back especially if you are playing graphics-demanding games. Sometimes, the heat is irritating since you are playing it handheld.
Another way to mitigate heat is to remove the case so the air could flow better and transfer the heat away. Just put back the case again once you are done playing.
How Long Will The Nintendo Switch Battery Last
The Nintendo Switch uses a lithium-ion battery. This type of battery loves to be full-charged regularly. Do not leave it below 50% every day.
This type of battery is expected to experience degradation after 800 cycles. That is one full charge. However, it also depends on the storage temperature.
Storing your Nintendo Switch in hot places is not ideal. This reduces the battery state drastically. Leave your Switch in a cool and dry place as much as possible.
Is It Safe To Use A Phone Charger To Charge Nintendo Switch
Yes. The Nintendo Switch uses USB-C to charge. A lot of smartphones today use USB-C as well. You may use your smartphone charger to charge your Nintendo Switch, but depending on the charger, it will charge slowly.
If you want to charge your Nintendo Switch at the rated speed, you need to use a USB-C Power Delivery charger. The same goes for charging your Nintendo Switch using a portable power bank. It should be USB-C Power Delivery rated as well.
Is The Nintendo Switch Battery Replaceable
Fortunately, the Nintendo Switch battery is easy to replace. All you need is to unscrew the case and the tiny lithium-ion battery will be revealed.
However, be careful when doing a battery replacement. You might break another part while in the process of changing your battery.
The best option is to bring your Nintendo Switch to a professional if it is already due for battery replacement. If you bought your Switch in the past two years then you are in luck as it likely has a lot of battery life yet.
Replacing your Nintendo Switch battery could be satisfying as it feels like building a Lego for adults. But make sure that the replacement battery you got is high quality. You would not want to install a battery that has a worse battery life than the one you replaced.
Is It Safe To Leave A Nintendo Switch Inside A Car?
Not at all. The Nintendo Switch hates hot environments and a car is one of them. Leaving your Switch inside a hot car is a death sentence for your battery.
Sure, you can leave your Switch for a short period of time. But if you know that you are going to take a long while and it is blazing hot outside, it is better to bring your Switch with you. Better to be safe than sorry.
Wrapping Up
The Nintendo Switch is a great portable console and you need to take care of its battery if you want it to last a lifetime. Taking care of the battery does not take a lot of effort and you can easily do it. Better yet, make it a habit to check on your battery and keep it at 100% to prolong its lifespan.
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