LAB – Autonomy of the Switch 2: can do better, really? Verdict after several game sessions

This is the big question that comes up incessantly in all the first impressions of the Switch 2: is its autonomy up to its predecessor? The answer, as often, is more nuanced than a simple binary relationship. Compared to the “all” first Switch, marketed from March 2017 to August 2019, there are not or prou similar figures. Nevertheless, for what is the responsibility of the unofficial “V2” switch, and OLED modelthere are substantial differences.

It is difficult in the state to put in direct opposition autonomy estimates as these figures can be influenced by many factors: screen brightness, (dice) WiFi activation, gluttony of the game launched … But it is accepted that the switch “V1” could hold from 2 to 5.5 hours before being in standal. The Switch “V2”, who came to replace its predecessor with a new packaging – but also, and above all, a much more frugal revision of its Tegra X1 chip. Responding to the code name Mariko, she offered the Switch V2 a much more robust autonomy, far beyond 6 hours of play on Breath of the Wild, as Furolith had measured in her time. Nintendo even advanced the promise of 9 hours of autonomy on the least energy -consuming games.

From Kart to Night City

Let us not forget the object of our attention: the autonomy of the Switch 2, according to Official estimates of Nintendowould be placed in a range of 2 to 6.5 hours depending on the context of use. An estimate largely faithful to our own measures.

Thus, our first test was carried out on Cyberpunk 2077certainly one of the most gourmet games of the outing lineup. In “Performance” mode, with a maximum frequency of images per second of 40 I/S, the activated WiFi connectivity and the brightness adjusted to the maximum and without automatic adjustment, the Switch 2 made its farewell after 2 hours and 14 minutes of play. A little more than the most weak estimate of the manufacturer, therefore.

The big game of this lineup Nevertheless remain Mario Kart Worldand the Nintendo Arcade race simulation is more greedy than one could imagine. After an equal time of play in solo mode, without active online connection therefore, our Switch 2 has only retained 30 % of its charge. Compared, our session on Picross S (a much more sober puzzle game) will have offered us a much more generous autonomy. Again, after 2 h 14 of play, the charge indicator of the Switch 2 indicates 57 % of the remaining battery capacity.

The same goes for the charging time. From its automatic standby for empty battery to 100 %, the complete recharging takes 2 h 30, half an hour less than the generous estimate of Nintendo. This is perhaps there that the big black point of its battery management rests: not so much in its autonomy in the end reasonable when you consider the template and the capacities of the console, but in the particularly long charge time.

It’s a background race, not a marathon

Because yes, the Switch 2 does not break the autonomy records of the ROG Ally X… but that is not surprising. The Asus console has an imposing 80Wh battery, and can hold wide on more than 7 hours – provided you change the thermal borrowing to keep energy. As for the Switch 2, Nintendo details a 5220 mAh battery … which does not tell us a lot. This translates, in more concrete use, to a capacity of 19WH; We are far, therefore, of its more expensive competition. And for good reason, the Japanese console shines with an optimization of its resources which allows it to maintain an all public silhouette. A question of priority, therefore.

It is ultimately an observation that places Switch 2 in the right of the very first switch, or V1. Yes, if we want to be able to play switch games native gourmet (like Cyberpunk 2077 Or Mario Kart World) During his train journey, it is better to take a solid external battery (minimum 30 W) so as not to end up on the tile after 2 h 30. No need to keep your eye on its battery indicator if you prefer less ambitious titles, like puzzle games Or switch switch games, with the assurance of holding at least 4 hours – or even more – depending on the brightness of the screen or connections (Wifi, Bluetooth) activated.

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