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

(Pocket-lint) - Nintendo released a "new" Switch exemplary successful 2019, but the archetypal inactive gets sold successful definite places.

The aboriginal one, inactive precise overmuch called the Nintendo Switch, is disposable successful stores for the aforesaid terms arsenic the original. It comes with amended artillery life, and that's conscionable astir the lone noticeable difference, to beryllium honest.

However, arsenic galore stores person archetypal stock, however tin you archer the difference?

• Best upcoming Nintendo Switch games to look guardant to

Old Nintendo Switch vs caller Switch

A bully portion back, Nintendo softly announced a "new" Nintendo Switch. But it was a refresh of the aged model, alternatively than a full-blown Nintendo Switch Pro.

We've present got the Switch OLED arsenic well, truthful to find retired much astir that exemplary and the differences betwixt it and the mean Switch, cheque retired this feature:

• Nintendo Switch OLED exemplary vs Nintendo Switch: What's the difference?

The newer modular exemplary has amended artillery beingness - astir 2 hours extra. It besides has a caller processor, though that is much to amended vigor depletion alternatively than heighten performance.

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How to archer which Switch you're buying

If you privation to find the latest mentation of the modular Nintendo Switch, which began hitting retail stores successful mid-August 2019, here's how:

Packaging

Look astatine the container containing the Switch:

The packaging for the caller Nintendo Switch (2019) has a agleam reddish background.

The packaging for the aged Nintendo Switch has a grey inheritance with a hand.

Serial number

Next, corroborate the serial number.

The caller Switch should person a serial fig - located connected the bottommost of the console - that starts with the letters XKW. Some online retailers, specified arsenic Amazon, whitethorn adjacent designate the serial fig successful their merchandise listings.

Model codes and numbers

Unfortunately, galore online retailers don't amusement the serial fig and whitethorn adjacent amusement packaging for the aged Switch, truthful to beryllium other definite erstwhile buying online, you volition besides request to cheque the exemplary fig connected the listing.

The caller Nintendo Switch has a exemplary codification that starts with HAD:

1. HADSKABAA for the exemplary with the bluish and reddish Joy-Con controllers
2. HADSKAAAA for the exemplary with grey Joy-Con controllers

Note: Original Nintendo Switch models commencement with the letters HAC. 

Additionally, erstwhile holding the caller Nintendo Switch successful your hands, cheque the exemplary fig connected the back. The caller Nintendo Switch has a fig that should work HAC-001 (-01), portion the archetypal has a exemplary fig of HAC-001. 

Writing by Maggie Tillman. Editing by Max Freeman-Mills. Originally published connected 13 August 2019.