After months of endless speculations about a cheaper variant of the Switch, Nintendo has finally unveiled a new version of its hybrid console that slims down the device to the bare minimum, dumping its function that made the Switch, well the Switch.

The Switch Lite, which Nintendo is positioning as the low-end variant of the hybrid console, sacrifices much of the original device's features for a cheaper price of $200. The biggest difference between the Lite and the original Switch is that the upcoming version will not be able to connect to a TV via HDMI, making it a pure handheld console.

The Switch Lite will feature a smaller build, sporting a 5.5-inch screen, which is a slight difference from the original Switch's 6.2-inch. It can only display resolutions up to 720p, given that it is a handheld only device and does not have a docked mode unlike in the original, that can display up to 1080p. As far as game compatibility, Nintendo revealed that the Switch Lite will be able to play games that support handheld mode. However, for games that do no support handheld, players must connect compatible controllers to the Switch Lite wirelessly to play.

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The latest variant of the Switch will still have a headphone port but no Bluetooth headset support, which is a bummer for players who wish to connect wireless headphones on their console. Given that the device is purely handheld, the Joy-Cons are no longer detachable and will not feature IR motion sensors and rumble. The button layout of the Joy-cons remains mostly the same, apart from the traditional D-pad, that replaced the four small buttons serving as directional buttons.

In terms of build quality, the Switch Lite will feature a matte plastic body and will be available in grey, yellow, and turquoise. The Switch Lite will launch on September 20, 2019, and a special Pokemon edition will be available as well alongside the release of Pokemon Sword and Shield. 

Several months leading up to the announcement of the Switch Lite, rumors about two new variants surfaced the web. While today's reveal confirmed the cheaper version of the Switch, it is interesting to see whether Nintendo will also release a higher-end version of its hybrid console by the end of the year.

Source: Nintendo