Conina said:
It doesn't take THAT much imagination:
Switch Pro/XL model: the same body as the normal Switch, but with a bigger display (7.x inch) by reducing the bezels. More energy efficient SoC (Tegra X2?) to enhance either battery life (of the same battery size) or to use it for better graphics (docked mode on the go). 1080p display instead of 720p display, if they go the docked mode route. Switch lite/mini: smaller body, less weight, controls built into the body, no HD-rumble. The same display size (6.2 inch) as the normal Switch by reducing the bezels, so no downgrade here. The battery capacity could be the same with the space gained by ditching HD rumble and the separate joycon batteries. More energy efficient SoC (Tegra X2?) to enhance battery life. If you want to play motion controlled games, you buy a pair of joycons, which override the internal controls. |
This is basically what I've been saying, *that* said I don't think they'll make the Swith Lite/Mini with integreted controls. It'll just use Joycons. It'll be smaller because it loses the bezel and that makes it only a bit bigger than a PS Vita. You can try that with your Switch right now, take the Joycons off and overlay them over the right/left bezels, it makes a big difference in the size of the unit.
Joycons should scale down in cost fairly quickly. For one there's no display tech or anything in them, and 2 have to be made per system, so Nintendo could be mass producing 20-30 million/year of them just for Switch systems, not including several more that will be needed for seperately purchased Joycons and all the different color variants.
At that volume, I think the price of them will decrease quickly so it's not really neccessarily for the Switch Lite to go Joycon-less. I don't honestly think the HD rumble costs that much it's a fancy term for a bunch of little motors, nothing that special. Feels cool sure.
Otherwise though bravo. You're pretty much on point. What I think will happen actually is the Switch basic, the middle current design will basically be phased out in 2018 or so by the Switch Mini you've proposed (just with detachable Joycons). That will become the standard model for $229.99-$249.99 w/a game bundled.
And yeah I agree with the Pro model pretty much spot on. They can keep that at $299.99. Bring 'em on.
