Or it could be bigger than that, an actual hardware ecosystem where you can upgrade as you please and games simply scale up. That is how Apple does it, and the Switch hardware (Tegra is upgraded basically every 14-18 months) allows that to be possible. 

3DS is the past, and not a great past at that. 

But you already have that with New 3DS (in 3DS case just new games scale up) and now with PS4 Pro, and thats why I wrote Swtich Pro. Apple releasing multiplay new iPhones per years and thats normal for mobile phones, but you cant expect that Nintendo will release upgraded Switch versions so soon, maybe something like Sony done with PS4 Pro, after around 3 years.

I think the consumer should decide when and where to upgrade, not some arbitrary date. If newer chips are available, then use them. Sony/MS are moving to 14nm/16nm chips because last year was the first time they're really mass producable. 

Nintendo has an advantage in that their successor chip is basically already 100% complete (Tegra Parker) and not only that the successor to *that* chip is almost finished on top of that (Tegra Xavier), lol. Mobile tech is simply advancing much faster. 

I actually wouldn't have minded a Switch model being able to swap out the main processor entirely, like a cartridge almost or like the N64 RAM pack. These Tegra chips are tiny. 

Basicly on all that I gave you clear anwers. I dont ignoring anuthing but you actualy totaly ignoring clear facts.

You are one that ignoring facts like that Switch is totaly difrent compared to DS and 3DS, in case of DS and 3DS, both had smaller screens and smaller price points so there was sense to later release bigger or more expensive device, in Switch case you already have higher price point (you do realise that Switch has price point of console not of handheld) and big screen (you do realise that Switch screen is much bigger than New 3DS XL screen), so in Switch case totally make sense to release 1st smaller and cheaper version of Switch not bigger more expensive like in case of DS/3DS.

Offcourse you can take Joy Cons and make built in controls.

Thats just PR talk and if you actauly know NIntendo you would never pay atention of PR talk where they gave unspecific statments that could mean anuthing, "we always thinking about new handheld", doesnt means they work on one in that case they would just said "yes, we working on it", and even if they work you dont know what they mean when they say new handheld (completely new very unlikely, or smaller version of Switch almost certain thing). Use that statement like of proof of anything is ridiculous.

You also totally ignoring fact that actually Nintendo always had lower price points on market, just look curren or past gen, (price point from $100-300). Of Course that priorite for them will be to have lower price point for Switch also like replacement for 3DS price point.

PS4 is not hybrid it only home console, reality in Switch case is you have people who dont want to pay $300 for TV mode also if they only need handheld mode, or they want to pay $300 because they don't need handheld mode. I also started to you that comparison with Sony does not work, because Sony operating differently, look just how much different price points GB, DS and 3DS had compared to PSP and Vita that usually had just one price point, Nintendo always look to have multiple price points on market and to have low price points.

Those are thing I already wrote numerous times to you, but you totally ignoring them and its clear you dont know how Nintendo operates and think, so I really don't see point to reply you anymore or to continue with this.

I think the $39.99 price tag made him cry more than my coldness. :P

That's the model I want... a Vita-sized Switch with good battery life.

I don't need detachable joycons (or even HD rumble) in a handheld... so if leaving these features out helps keeping the costs down and give more space for the battery, I'm all for it.

Good guess, Zorg1000.

Correct price and correct month, only the year was slightly wrong.

As far as a potential mini design -  I suspect it would be something like the 2DS was (no hinge, no 3D), aimed at the younger crowd with less moving parts ie fused on controls  (so dock/controllers for external screen play  sold separate.).  Would essetially resemble a Vita or GBA. Switch LITE would be apropos, because it is cheaper and lacks the dock/joycons/grip etc. By next spring at the earliest, this type of model should be $199 to replace the 3DS shelf presence, but certainly less than $250.