iFixit Finds Nintendo Switch 2 Harder to Repair with Persistent Drift Issues

The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been released, bringing notable enhancements over its predecessor, including a superior screen, improved internal specifications, and more user-friendly controls. However, repairability enthusiasts at iFixit have identified a significant drawback: the Switch 2 is reportedly more challenging to repair than the original model.

Despite the "ground-up" redesign of the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, the persistent issue of stick drift, which many owners have long reported, appears to remain unaddressed. Stick drift is a common problem where joystick movement is registered without user input, often occurring over time or with heavy usage. iFixit observed that the Switch 2 lacks the less-drift-prone joystick technology that uses magnets, such as Hall effect sensors or tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors.

iFixit stated in their blog post, "From what we can tell, the redesign didn’t include a revision to the core tech that causes joystick drift. Unless Nintendo is using some miracle new material on those resistive tracks, or the change in size magically solves it, the best fix is going to come from third-party replacements again." The increased difficulty in replacing Joy-Con controllers further exacerbates the issue. "Whatever tech they use... joysticks are a high-wear component. They can still break in a drop, even if they never suffer from drift. Being able to replace these things is a high priority for game console repairability," iFixit added.

Overall, iFixit awarded the Switch 2 a repairability score of 3 out of 10, which is a step down from the 4 out of 10 given to the original Switch. The Switch 2 lags behind other consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, both of which received a 7 out of 10 in repairability.

In iFixit's teardown video, lead technician Shahram Mokhtari discusses the complex nature of the Switch 2's assembly. No repair parts or documentation are available for consumers, and the primary storage, along with the game card reader and charge ports, is soldered into place. The battery and display are glued, complicating any necessary repairs.

The console is held together with a variety of fasteners, including Nintendo's signature tri-point screws and uses multiple types of thermal paste. Numerous stickers mark "tampering," further complicating the repair process. Mokhtari questions the design, "After all this time, is this really the best Nintendo could do?"