2019 New Nintendo Switch: Charging and Power Usage
In August 2019, Nintendo released an updated version of the Nintendo Switch. This revision had a new system-on-chip (CPU and GPU combo), flash storage, and RAM. Those increased the power efficiency of the whole system. Here we’ll take a look at the resulting power usage, and charging.
New Nintendo Switch Play Time
Nintendo listed the new Nintendo Switch as offering 2-2.5 more hours of play time. It is the only change in specs they listed when comparing the new and original Switch.
Charge Time Test Results
Tested with a brand new HAC-001(-01) Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. The console was at 0%, the power bank at 100%. For the sleeping test the Switch was turned on after 5 minutes. Then put to sleep with no gaming running in the background. For the gaming test the Switch was turned on after 5 minutes. Then launched Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game ran under stress test conditions. With screen brightness at 100% and auto brightness off. For both tests Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were left on.
New & Original Nintendo Switch Charge Times
| New Nintendo Switch | Original Nintendo Switch | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping Charge Time: | 3:14 | 3:30 |
| Gaming Charge Time: | 2:58 | 3:15 |
New Nintendo Switch’s Power Draw Rates
The new Nintendo Switch has more typical draw rates for a USB Power Delivery device. It still has an ~18W max draw limit. But there is less of a power draw gap between different voltages. And it can draw more power from a USB-A charger than the original Switch.
New Nintendo Switch Power Draw Rates
| Charger Specs | Power Drawn | Total Wattage | Percent of Current Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5V/1.5A USB-A | 5V/1.5A | 7.5W | 100% |
| 5V/2A USB-A | 5V/2A | 10W | 100% |
| 5V/2.4A USB-A | 5V/2A | 10W | 83% |
| 5V/3A USB-C | 5V/2A | 10W | 66% |
| 9V/2A USB-C PD | 9V/1.8A | 16.5W | 90% |
| 9V/3A USB-C PD | 9V/1.8A | 16.5W | 60% |
| 12V/1.5A USB-C PD | 12V/1.5A | 18W | 100% |
| 15V/1.2A USB-C PD | 15V/1.2A | 18W | 100% |
| 15V/2A USB-C PD | 15V/1.2A | 18W | 60% |
| 15V/3A USB-C PD | 15V/1.2A | 18W | 40% |
For the Dock
The dock still has a 15V/2.6A (or more amps) power input requirement. Aside from the Nintendo Switch AC Adapter most 45-60W USB-C PD chargers will power the dock. But chargers with less output will not.
Summary:
A wider range of third party chargers will perform well with the new Nintendo Switch. If you try a USB-A charger that provides 5V/2A or better you’ll have a good experience in handheld mode. But an iPhone’s 5V/1A charger will still provide a slow charge. If buying a new USB-C PD charger you don’t need to worry about its exact specs as much. For best results go for 18W USB-C PD chargers that offer 12V or 15V. To use a 30W+ PD charger is optional for the dock usage.
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