Rumors surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 have gained new traction, particularly the suggestion that it will feature Hall effect sticks, which could finally put an end to the infamous Joy-Con drift issue.
The credibility of these leaks has strengthened after an insider known as NextHandheld had previous claims verified. Back in December 2023, the anonymous source shared a photo of what they claimed was the side of the Switch 2 and later provided additional details on the NintendoSwitch 2 Reddit page. At the time, skepticism surrounded the leak, as many so-called insiders were exposed for sharing faked images of the console.
>>>L19C4PF4 Replacement Battery for Lenovo Ideapad Yoga Slim 7-14IIL05
However, several of NextHandheld’s claims—such as Joy-Cons having a pop of color under the sticks, being larger than the current design, and an official announcement in January—have now been corroborated. As a result, Reddit users (spotted by TheGamer) are re-examining the insider’s other claims, most notably the confirmation that Switch 2’s Joy-Cons will feature Hall effect sticks.
Hall effect sticks, named after physicist Edwin Hall, function without direct physical contact between the joystick and its sensors. Instead of using a potentiometer (a component prone to wear and tear), they rely on magnets and electrical conductors to measure movement.
This technology eliminates stick drift, a notorious issue that has plagued Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons since the console’s 2017 launch. Despite multiple revisions to the Joy-Con’s internal components, reports suggest that the problem still persists, even in newly issued controllers.
By incorporating Hall effect sticks, Nintendo would be addressing one of the most frustrating long-term durability issues in its hardware. The move would also align with industry trends, as third-party controller manufacturers have already adopted Hall effect technology to provide more durable and reliable analog sticks.
>>>GBA-SP Replacement Battery for Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
With NextHandheld’s past leaks proving accurate, many are now taking their other claims more seriously. Alleged details from a behind-closed-doors teardown of the hardware suggest that Nintendo is making significant improvements to the Joy-Con design, possibly offering a more ergonomic and feature-rich controller experience.
While Nintendo has yet to officially confirm the Switch 2’s hardware specifications, the growing credibility of these leaks indicates that major improvements to the Joy-Cons—including the adoption of Hall effect sticks—could be on the horizon. If true, this would mark a huge step forward for Nintendo’s next-gen handheld-console hybrid.