Eight years after the original, the new Nintendo Switch 2 delivers a major hardware boost—but iFixit’s teardown finds that fixing it is still frustrating.
In a new video, iFixit praised the handheld’s technical upgrades: it now uses a much faster processor, has triple the RAM, and jumps from 32GB of eMMC storage to 256GB of fast UFS 3.1. The display is also sharper and smoother, with a 7.9″ 1080p LCD that runs at 120Hz.
But when it comes to repairability, iFixit says Nintendo hasn’t learned much from past mistakes. “After all this time, is this really the best Nintendo could do?” the video asks.
Sticky, Screwy, and Still Drifting
Getting into the Joy-Cons remains awkward, with glued-on panels and hidden screws. Once opened, the team confirmed the new joysticks still use the same drift-prone potentiometer tech seen in past models—despite years of complaints and even lawsuits.
“We haven’t yet met a potentiometer-based stick that’s drift-resistant,” iFixit said, noting that Nintendo has not adopted newer, more reliable Hall Effect or TMR sensors.
Battery replacement is also a headache. It’s held in with strong adhesive and took a lot of alcohol and prying to remove. iFixit called the removal effort “just as bad as the original Switch” and a “battery glue nightmare.”
Some Small Wins
There are a few modular parts: the headphone jack, SD card reader, fan, and speakers are relatively easy to access and replace. However, critical components like the charging port and storage chips are soldered to the motherboard, making repairs far more complex.
Also disappointing: the game card reader, which was modular in past models, is now soldered in place.
No Right to Repair Support Yet
Adding to the frustration, iFixit noted Nintendo still hasn’t released official parts or repair manuals for any of its Switch models—including this new one—despite growing pressure from right-to-repair laws like the one in New York.
“All repairs rely on the availability of spare parts,” they said. “And there’s no indication Nintendo is going to provide them.”
In the end, iFixit gave the Switch 2 a repairability score of 3 out of 10 and said most people should avoid trying to fix it unless they’re experienced. “Nintendo, you’ve still got some work to do,” said iFixit. You may recall iFixit retroactively revised the repairability score for the original Switch. The new Switch is harder to repair than the original.
Check out the full teardown of the Nintendo Switch 2 by iFixit, below:
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"Once opened, the team confirmed the new joysticks still use the same drift-prone potentiometer tech seen in past models—despite years of complaints and even lawsuits".
In other words don't waste money on this junk. If Nintendo wants to disrespect their customers they don't deserve the business.