iFixit rescores the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED

With just a few days until the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, iFixit has released a new repairability score for the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch OLED, and the Switch Lite. The new scores are exactly half of what the three Switch consoles were originally awarded, and iFixit has explained the reason for its new score in a blog post.

According to iFixit, the Nintendo Switch had a repairability score of 8 back in 2017. However, a lot of time has passed since then and more handhelds have been announced. Also, iFixit says its scoring criteria has evolved and improved since then, which has made the Switch's flaws more obvious.

Some of these flaws include the glued-in battery, the lack of official repair guides, and the lack of original replacement parts; and when compared to more recent gaming handhelds, the Nintendo Switch and its siblings are behind the pack. Devices like the Legion Go (curr. available on Amazon for $538.78), ROG Ally, and Playdate have a more modular design, easily replaceable storage, and available spare parts.

The Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED now have a repairability score of 4 while the Switch Lite's score has dropped from 6 to 3. These new scores are said to better reflect its repairability when compared to rival handhelds.

iFixit says there is still a chance for the Nintendo Switch to be re-evaluated one more time. As a matter of fact, it can score an additional two points if Nintendo simply releases a repair manual and makes replacement parts available.

Nintendo also has the chance to show it has improved with the Switch 2. iFixit already confirmed that the new Nintendo console will be scored very soon, so it will be nice to see what changes Nintendo has made in terms of ease of repairability.