The Nintendo Switch had an incredible year in 2019, beating out both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in console sales. The release of the Nintendo Switch Lite handheld console, as well as an updated version of the original Nintendo Switch with extended battery life, showed Nintendo is working hard to keep the platform marketable year-to-year. That trend will reportedly continue into 2020, as Nintendo is apparently working on a new model of the Switch for release in 2020.
DigiTimes is reporting that multiple sources have confirmed a brand new Nintendo Switch model will launch in Q1 2020. More specifically, it'll launch at the end of Q1, which will be around the middle of the year. While little information is provided about this new Nintendo Switch model, the sources claim that it'll have an upgraded CPU and a "magnesium alloy body." Cameras often use magnesium alloy bodies because the material is both durable and lightweight.
The possibilities for what Nintendo might be working on, if this report is accurate, are wide open. Nintendo has released both an iteration on its main console and a brand new model of the Nintendo Switch already. As such, this new model for 2020 could be either of those things. It could be another iteration for the standard Nintendo Switch or the first for the Nintendo Switch Lite. Or it could be a new, separate model offering something the other models don't.
One assumption that makes sense is that if the new model features a new magnesium alloy body, it probably isn't the long-rumored television-only console. After all, what would a TV-only console need of a frame designed for handheld use. A magnesium alloy body would also be an upgrade to the current Nintendo Switch's frame, both the standard console and the Lite version. As such, the most likely new model would be an iterative upgrade to either of the platforms, with a new Nintendo Switch Lite model making the most sense.
It bears repeating that without further evidence, this new Nintendo Switch report should be considered a rumor. The sources cited for the report are anonymous, which while not wholly unreliable still can't be verified. Luckily, if this new Nintendo Switch model really is planned to launch mid-2020 then more details should be shared soon. Either Nintendo will officially announce the product or leaks, such as patents, will find their way online. Stay tuned.
Source: DigiTimes