Better Take Extra Care of Your Nintendo Switch 2 Based on iFixit Teardown

After years of speculation and a few tense months packed with tariff twists, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally made its debut. In almost every way, Nintendo’s latest console is a true step up, delivering improved hardware, sleek new features, and a design that feels refreshingly modern. But if you were hoping Nintendo would finally come around to the idea of letting gamers fix their own machines, iFixit’s teardown has some sobering news.

Gaming consoles have always been a bit of a locked garden, but Nintendo’s stance on repairability is almost legendary. Mods, third-party repairs, and even basic battery swaps have all been met with stubborn resistance. iFixit’s latest investigation makes it clear that, despite all the impressive progress in performance and build, Nintendo hasn’t budged on this front. With Switch 2s flying off shelves and restocks still tough to find, you might want to treat yours with more care than ever if you want to avoid the headache of repairs, or worse, the heartbreak of having to buy a new one.

Designer: Nintendo (via iFixit)

In the Wild West of handheld gaming, there are no hard rules for how these pocket-sized powerhouses are put together. Every brand seems to chart its own course, and Nintendo is no exception. The inside of the Switch 2 is a fortress of glued and soldered parts, designed to keep out all but the most determined tinkerers. Even components that are notorious for wearing out, like USB ports and batteries, are locked down tight. If you thought the dock would be simple, think again, it is a complex puzzle of screws and plastic that offers little comfort to those hoping for easy fixes.

One hot topic for hardcore players is the Joy-Con sticks. Despite years of complaints about stick drift, Nintendo stuck with the same old technology. There is still a chance that some magic behind the scenes will make the problem go away, but without Hall Effect sticks, it is hard not to worry that history will repeat itself.

Still, it is not all doom and gloom. Some parts, like the fan and the headphone jack, are modular and easier to swap out. There is also plenty of metal reinforcing the chassis, giving the Switch 2 a sturdier feel than the featherweight plastic of its predecessor. But with a repairability score of just 3 out of 10, iFixit’s verdict is clear: handle your new gaming sidekick with care, because getting it fixed won’t be easy.