Why would Nintendo make a smaller Switch? So far there has only been three rumors regarding a Switch revision: a redesign that could be smaller or bigger (like they use to do), a handheld only variant and a Switch Pro. And of those, only the handheld only model would have to actually be smaller.

Besides, there are things Nintendo could do to avoid overheating problems, even with a smaller design.

The simplest way to deal with heat would be to use a Tegra X2 instead of a Tegra X1, X2 is a 16nm chip compared to 20nm for X1, so you can tune via clock speeds to either have more graphics and processing power than the Switch's X1 at the same power usage, or the same graphics and processing power with lower power usage. Using X2 should allow them to make a Switch Mini/Handheld that is smaller and has better battery life, but also with the option for docking it and achieving the same resolution as a standard Switch when docked (dock presumably sold separately to help cut down on costs and hit a $250 or $200 price point that will have mass market appeal).

Nintendo could add built in controls and knock 40% off the size of the current Switch whilst keeping everything else the same.

To make things smaller and as portable as possible, they have to remove the added heat from docked mode.

Add a more efficient chip and Switch can be shrunk further if docked isn't a concern. Docked mode hurts the portability of a more portable Switch.

If the choice is between outputting in HH-mode (720p) v docked mode (1080p) consumers will drop the extra resolution for increased portability.

Nintendo has cleverly chose the 'worst' of all possible hybrids. Tabletop and removable controllers is the middle-ground. It's Mario in SMB2 or Ryu in SF2.

Soon there'll be a choice between Mario, Peach and Toad or Ryu, E Honda and Chun Li.

You could argue that the portable-Nintendo console gamers are the 'real' Nintendo gamers. Nintendo ignoring them would be the biggest mistake they've ever made.

If you take the view that the portable market are the 'real' Nintendo fans then WiiU ports aren't ports but sequels.

If you really think Nintendo will use integrated controls, you must be kidding.

I'm not suggesting 'stick-on analog controls'. I'm saying adding controls doesn't add much to the console therefore the joycon setup is only useful for tabletop or as a 'free' 2nd controller. This is a great bundle for some Nintendo fans but there are better.

Now, if heat is of that much concern for you, there are other ways to do it, one being the use of an X2 chipset like shikamaru said.

That doesn't change the fact that 'the smallest possible Switch won't be capable of handling the heat from increased res/fps in docked mode'. HDMI will allow a clone (720p) without added heat. Most consumers will choose this over a model that has better gfx when docked.

But another option could be as simple as going with a thicker console. You see, the actual Switch design doesn' t have much room for a good cooling solution, but with a thicker design airflow would be greatly improved on any mode, plus with the added benefit of giving the user better grip. Now, would it need a new dock? Yes, but that's not really a problem since they will be able to sell it as an accessory.

Thicker =  less portable. I'm only talking about the most portable Switch possible (without reducing gfx).

Besides, as I said, we don't know if they're going to make a smaller design.

It would be the biggest mistake they've ever made to assume that Switch is as portable as traditional Nintendo-HHs. Switch is a great way to try and convince them to play on their TV and it will get some converts but not all of them will make the Switch to 1080p if 720p is good enough.

Nintendo cares A LOT about controls. They're not going to give sub-par experience, worse than the one the Switch offers right now, just to make their machine a tiny bit smaller. That doesn't mean that they won't get rid of the joycons, although I doubt they will as it would make it incompatible with some games, but that doesn't mean that they're going to get rid of the traditional controls.

As I already said, there are ways to improve the cooling even on a smaller design. For starters, the use of an X2 chip at the Switch's X1 level of performance would result in a much lower power consumption, allowing Nintendo to use a simplified cooling system.

Thicker does, in no way, mean equal to less portable. We're not talking about a Switch revision that's twice as thick, only two or three extra millimeters would do the trick.

And the Switch's biggest problem when it comes to portability is its batery life, and then, the size.

I disagree. I think size is a bigger barrier than battery life.

In any case, Nintendo knows that they do when it comes to the build quality of their consoles. If they decide to go with a smaller version of Switch, they'll launch a properly cooled product.