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Nintendo Switch Lifespan: How Many Years Will The Switch Last Before It Breaks?

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There is no question that the Nintendo Switch will last a long time. This is because the Nintendo Switch has been built extremely strong as it is designed to be used at home and on the go.

But exactly how long can you expect a Switch to last

The Switch will last for a minimum of five to ten years with normal daily use before some parts will begin to wear down or need to be replaced (like the controllers). However, the actual Switch console itself is likely to last for multiple decades just like all of the Nintendo consoles from years ago that are still working today.

Below I will go over exactly how I got these numbers and some specific pieces that might break sooner but are easy to replace yourself. 

First, we will look at the screen of the Switch. The lifetime of an LED device is approximately 100,000 hours or more. That is a tremendous amount of time.

If you play your Switch for 3 hours a day every single day that means you will spend 1,095 hours a year on your Switch. With a lifespan of 100,000 hours, the Switch’s screen will last approximately 91 years!

The power button on the Nintendo Switch has an estimated life expectancy of about 3-5 years because of how often it is used. However, it is a user-installable part that can be replaced by yourself when it breaks as it is very cheap and easy to replace.

However, if you leave your Switch docked the majority of the time or use the Joy-Cons to turn the Switch on and off then the Power button will last a lot longer.

The buttons (X Y, A, B) on the Nintendo Switch controllers have an estimated life expectancy of at least 6 years. These buttons though are not user-installable and you would need to send them back to Nintendo to be fixed or buy new controllers after that time.

The Joy-Con Buttons have an estimated life expectancy of about 3-5 years which is lower than the key and power buttons. The reason for this is that they are used for long periods of time. Those buttons take a lot of strain, so they will wear out faster as compared to the other buttons.

New Joy-Cons come with a 1-year warranty and you can send them in for repair/replacement if there’s any problem with them that soon.

Most of the time though, if the JoyCon stops working, it is cheaper to just go and buy an off-brand Joy-Con for your Switch. They work the exact same as the official Joy-Con controllers but are less than half the price. 

You can buy a new Joy-Con for your controller by clicking here. 

The Nintendo Switch console itself, in an average user’s hands who actually cares for it, will last somewhere between 10-20 years but many of the older Nintendo consoles have lasted many DECADES so a well-taken-care-of Switch could as well! As this console is built to not break easily and is used in high-traffic environments its design ensures it won’t break easily.

It has many internal components that are very strong so they are designed to last longer and for many lifecycles. 

Some of these components include the: motherboard, power supply, solid-state drive, and cooling fan. These are all strong components that will last 10 years or longer.

These components are designed to last in order for the console to live up to its Nintendo name which is built on the philosophy that it is tough to break. 

Even though the Switch is quite tough and well-built, if you’re worried that it can give you a hard time in the future, you may want to get a case for it. There are many options like this that prevent the device from being scratched when dropped.

This will make sure that your Nintendo Switch will last even longer and will keep its wonderful screen protected.

Since the Switch has only been out for a little over 5 years (the launch of Nintendo Switch was in 2017) no Switch owners know the exact lifespan of the Switch console. However, the biggest issue that you will face with the Switch is the internal battery slowly dying over time.

The Switch’s battery will have a lifespan of 5-10 years before it will need to be replaced.

Of course, you can still use your Switch when it is docked if the battery life is seriously depleted but that defeats the purpose of the console a bit. Most people will be able to use the Switch console as both a handheld and dockable console for 5-10 years before the internal battery just won’t last long enough to make it worthwhile.

At that point, you will need to have the Switch’s battery replaced so that way you can use it in handheld mode again and not just as a docked console.

Want to take your Nintendo Switch to the next level? Then check out this Nintendo Switch accessory bundle by clicking here.

PowerA Pokemon Joy-Con Comfort Grip for Nintendo Switch - Pikachu, Works with Nintendo Switch Lite - Nintendo Switch

Do you love your Switch but want to stand out from everyone else with the same model? Then look no further than this custom Joy-Con grip.

This Joy-Con grip will make your Switch console look amazing and you can even choose the one that fits your style the best!

Will The Nintendo Switch Be Replaced By Another Console?

The Nintendo Switch is still an incredibly popular console even though it is over five years into its lifecycle. Most console life cycles will have a successor released with new hardware, new specs, etc. every fifth year or so.

However, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has responded to rumors about a new console (the Nintendo Switch Pro) by saying that the said that Switch at 5 years is only at the mid-point of its lifecycle. Although this certainly breaks the pattern of a conventional hardware lifecycle The Switch has not lost momentum at all in regard to sales.

Nintendo did release the OLED model in 2021 it didn’t have any groundbreaking new hardware or software and it still looks incredibly similar to the other Switch handhelds that have been sold since 2017.

Exactly when the next generation of Nintendo consoles will be released is anyone’s guess but with the continued sales momentum of all the Nintendo Switch models and with the wide range of software that continues to get produced for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, & Nintendo Switch OLED this Nintendo fan doesn’t expect the next game system to come out anytime soon.

Of course, no one knows exactly what Nintendo’s plan is but with the massive success of a hybrid console that allows us to play Mario Party, Mario Kart, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, and other amazing first-party games on the go or at home, I can only hope that the next console allows me to do the same!

What Is The Easiest Way To Make My Switch Battery Last Longer?

When you are using your Nintendo Switch, you obviously will not want to have a battery that dies extremely fast. This is why many people are looking for ways to make their battery last longer. 

The easiest way to make your Switch battery last longer is to buy a Switch battery pack. They offer a convenient way to charge your battery for your Switch without ever removing the battery from the device. 

You can find these battery packs in stores, or by simply clicking here. 

A battery pack case is a great option for those who want to play for long periods of time without having to stop to charge the Nintendo Switch. Doing this means that you will never have to worry about running out of power during prolonged gaming sessions as well as being able to quickly recharge your device when it’s low on power while on the go.

This is probably the best option for those who are constantly on the go. You can carry your Switch in your pocket and play without having to stop to charge it. 

Another way you can make your battery last longer is to turn down the brightness of your screen. By following these simple tricks, you can easily make your battery last longer. Once you add the case with the built-in battery you will notice that you can play your Switch all day and not have to stop to recharge your battery once.  

Is It Bad To Leave The Switch In The Dock?

Some people like to use their Switch at home all the time and not take it on the go with them. The problem is that many people think that leaving your Switch in the dock can possibly damage your Switch. 

It is not bad to leave the Switch in the dock. This will not damage the Switch as it is designed to be used and left on the dock for long periods of time. 

You can also leave your Switch plugged into the dock all night as this will make sure that it is fully charged if you ever go to take your Switch on the go. You do not have to worry about your Switch being on the dock and getting damaged as it is designed to be left on the dock for long periods of time. 

This is good as so many people leave their Switch on the dock overnight, and sometimes for days on end. This is because the Switch is designed to be left on the dock for a long period of time as this is one of the most common ways to charge the Switch. 

Conclusion

Your Nintendo Switch should last for a very long time if you take care of it properly. The best way to ensure it lasts even longer is by adding a battery pack case. 

Overall your Switch can last you a long time, or it can last you just a few short months. This all depends upon how you take care of your Switch or if you do not take care of it at all. 

Obviously, if you do not take care of your Switch, it is not going to last you as long as if you were to protect it with a case and make sure you keep the device clean of dust, dirt, and debris.  So if you want your Switch to last you a long time, you should make sure that you take care of it and follow all of the steps in this article to make your device lasts a long time.