The Nintendo President, Furukawa has confirmed in their latest investor briefing that they have no plans to release new hardware this year in the Nintendo Switch category.
Rumours have been swirling for some time that Nintendo has plans to release a Nintendo Switch Pro model. This was before the Nintendo Switch Lite model was released last year alongside an updated version of the original Switch with a larger battery.
Here’s exactly what Nintendo said:
Regarding Nintendo Switch, we believe that it is important to continue to communicate the appeal of both Nintendo Switch systems and expand the installed base. Please note that we have no plans to launch a new Nintendo Switch model during 2020.
1) have two types of hardware for different lifestyles – Switch/LITE
* new customers from LITE, existing buying LITE
* in 2019 Switch was similar to 2018 Switch, incremental is LITE
* Benefits of LITE not communicated enough
* No intention by end of the year to release new hw— David Gibson (@gibbogame) January 31, 2020
This doesn’t mean that Nintendo isn’t working on an updated version of the Switch, but just that currently, they don’t have plans to release a new major model this year.
Nintendo has said that they’ll continue the strategy that they have put in place over the last few years. Happy with the fact that the Lite and Switch serve two different audiences. They’ll continue to develop software and have a number of franchises that still can be utilised. They’ll maintain activity for add-on content such as the Pokemon expansion pass as well as Super Smash Bros Fighters Pass.