How to tell if you're buying the new Nintendo Switch or the old one

pocket-lint.com:

(Pocket-lint) — Nintendo released a «new» Switch model in 2019, but the original still gets sold in certain places.

The later one, still very much called the Nintendo Switch, is available in stores for the same price as the original. It comes with better battery life, and that's just about the only noticeable difference, to be honest.

However, as many stores have original stock, how can you tell the difference?

A good while back, Nintendo quietly announced a «new» Nintendo Switch. But it was a refresh of the old model, rather than a full-blown Nintendo Switch Pro.

We've now got the Switch OLED as well, so to find out more about that model and the differences between it and the normal Switch, check out this feature:

The newer standard model has better battery life — around two hours extra. It also has a new processor, although that is more to improve energy consumption rather than enhance performance.

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If you want to find the latest version of the standard Nintendo Switch, which began hitting retail stores in mid-August 2019, here's how:

Look at the box containing the Switch:

The packaging for the new Nintendo Switch (2019) has a bright red background.

The packaging for the old Nintendo Switch has a grey background with a hand.

Next, confirm the serial number.

The new Switch should have a serial number — located on the bottom of the console — that starts with the letters XKW. Some online retailers, such as Amazon, may even designate the serial number in their product listings.

Unfortunately, many online retailers don't show the serial number and may even show packaging for the old Switch, so to be extra sure when shopping online, you will also need to check the model number on the listing.

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