Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Teardown: iFixit Slams Repairability and Durability

In a comprehensive assessment that has stirred substantial discussion among the gaming community, repair experts at iFixit have conducted a full teardown of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

The analysis delivers a harsh critique, mainly focused on the repairability and long-term durability of Nintendo’s latest accessory for the Switch 2 platform.

This investigation is particularly poignant in light of the ongoing push for better repairability and sustainability within consumer electronics. The Nintendo Switch 2, the much-anticipated successor to one of the best-selling consoles of all time, launched with a redesigned Pro Controller meant to further enhance the gaming experience.

However, iFixit’s evaluation suggests that while Nintendo’s hardware has evolved to meet player comfort, its repairability hurdles have persisted—or even worsened. According to iFixit’s detailed breakdown, gaining access to the internals of the Switch 2 Pro Controller is exceptionally challenging.

Nintendo has used strong adhesives on the front faceplate, concealed screws throughout the chassis, and thumb grips that require excessive force to detach.

As a result, iFixit states that even reaching the battery for a potential replacement demands far too much effort for the average user, making routine repairs inaccessible for most. Addressing an issue familiar to Nintendo fans, iFixit also scrutinized the analog sticks.

The teardown confirms that Nintendo continues to rely on potentiometer-based stick technology, a design choice historically linked to stick drift problems.

iFixit notes that, although the analog stick modules in the new controller are marginally easier to remove compared to the original Switch Pro Controller, the fundamental susceptibility to drift remains largely unaddressed. There is at least some positive news.

iFixit highlights that the headphone jack in the Switch 2 Pro Controller is fully modular and easily removable, an improvement over some past hardware designs.

Nevertheless, iFixit points out that this feature stands as an exception, rather than the rule, in what is otherwise a difficult-to-service accessory. In contrast, iFixit points to alternative controllers such as Gulikit’s Elves 2 Pro, which come with more advanced TMR and Hall Effect stick technology and boast greater repairability at a lower price point.

These competitors reportedly offer enhancements both in terms of longevity and user serviceability, posing a challenge to Nintendo’s approach with its official accessory. Despite the repair concerns, early users and analysts widely agree that the Switch 2 Pro Controller excels in hand comfort, with responsive sticks and a robust d-pad contributing to a premium feel during gameplay.

However, as more units enter the hands of players worldwide, potential difficulties in servicing or repair may become a significant issue.

As the Nintendo Switch 2 establishes itself in the market and the gaming community continues to demand longer-lasting and more easily serviceable hardware, Nintendo’s accessory choices will likely remain under scrutiny.

For now, iFixit’s teardown is a crucial reminder: superior usability does not always equal superior repairability.

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