Where the original Nintendo Switch had a battery life of six-and-a-half hours, the updated Switch boasts a battery life rated at nine hours. This is significantly higher than the Switch Lite, which Nintendo says will have a battery life of seven hours.
So what do you look for to tell you you’re getting the improved model? The answer lies in the serial number. According to Nintendo of America’s site, the original has the model number HAC-001, with a serial number starting with XAW. If you’re looking for the improved version, keep an eye out for the model number HAC-001(-01), and a serial number starting with XKW instead. All that said, Engadget reports that there’s no indication as to when the updated Switch will reach the market. If you’re living in Japan and don’t mind getting a Japanese model, then August will be when the model becomes available there. (Source: Nintendo [1], [2] via Engadget)
