Switch 2 Teardown: Better Than the Original or More of the Same?
The original Nintendo Switch made waves when it launched, but let’s be honest, it didn’t take long before many ended up in repair shops.
Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, the question is clear: Did Nintendo finally fix the common issues, and how repairable is this console?
Let’s tear it down and find out.
First Impressions: A Step Forward
Right out of the box, the Switch 2 feels like a refined version of its predecessor. The Joy-Cons are more comfortable, the SL and SR buttons are now metal, and the wide kickstand feels much sturdier. Most impressively, Nintendo added a second USB-C port, which is great news since the original had a notorious failure rate with its single port.
Joy-Con Teardown: What’s New?
Opening up the new Joy-Con, we find a 500mAh battery (down from 525mAh).
500 mAh & 1.95 Wh
One huge win is that the joysticks remain modular, which means you won’t need to solder anything if they fail. However, to reach them, you still need to fully disassemble the controller which isn’t ideal. Still, modularity is better than nothing.
There’s also a new C button, intended for chat, and optical sensors that enable a mouse-like feature. While that function is interesting, comfort is lacking if used for extended periods.
The side rail, which could become a weak point over time, houses both the optical sensor and buttons on a single board. This means you’ll have to replace the whole unit if something fails, unless you're skilled with soldering.
Also, be cautious since there’s a spring mechanism that can snap back unexpectedly during disassembly.
Console Teardown: Hidden Screws
Removing the Switch 2’s back panel is straightforward once you find all the hidden screws (yes, Nintendo hid more screws this time). Inside, you’ll find:
A larger 5,220mAh battery, up from 4,310mAh in the original
A much better speaker setup
Slightly Improved thermal layout
Reinforced soldered on USB-C ports (top and bottom), secured by metal brackets
Modular components for most components
A clean, upgraded motherboard featuring a new custom Nvidia Tegra chip
One downside: the battery isn’t easy to replace. There are no pull tabs, and it’s glued in requiring isopropyl alcohol and careful prying.
Also worth noting: during teardown, there was an unusual spot of liquid metal near the battery. We think this may have been some residual Gallium from prior our experiments, but we’re not sure.
Screen and Display: Not Easy, but Doable
Replacing the screen is possible, though not beginner-friendly. The adhesive is tough, and removal takes time and care. Thankfully, most people would only need to do this if the display is already broken, so the risk of further damage is low during replacement.
Interestingly, the Switch 2 comes with a pre-installed plastic screen protector, which Nintendo doesn’t recommend removing. It’s likely there to prevent glass shards from detaching if the display shatters.
Repairability Verdict: About The Same
The Nintendo Switch 2 is about the same as the first gen in terms of repairability, especially with its modular joysticks, improved internals, and reinforced USB-C ports. But hidden screws, glued-in batteries, limited modularity for certain components as well as the complete lack of purchasable replacement parts make repairaing any issues extremely difficult.
The Good:
Reinforced, dual USB-C ports
Modular joystick design
Larger battery
Better thermal and speaker setup
The Bad:
No pull tabs on the battery
Still time-consuming to replace joysticks
Hidden screws throughout
Screen removal is complex
If you’re planning to repair the Nintendo Switch 2 yourself or offer it as a service, this teardown should help you know what to expect. Whether you're fixing stick drift or replacing a dead battery, it’s definitely something you can do yourself, provided you can find parts.
Stay tuned! More teardown content is on the way.
