Product test
Nintendo Switch review: What the new 2-in-1 console can do
by Philipp Rüegg
Over 4 years late: Nintendo has finally added Bluetooth audio to the Switch
15.9.2021
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Until now, anyone looking to use their Nintendo Switch with headphones either needed wired ones or creative thinking. The console didn’t support Bluetooth audio. This has now been fixed by the latest update.
Workarounds used to be the only way to enjoy Bluetooth audio on the Switch. Additional dongles were needed to wirelessly connect your new earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones to Nintendo’s console. Now Nintendo has added Bluetooth audio support with software update 13.0.
There are some minor drawbacks: the Switch «only» knows Bluetooth 4.0. This allows one device to be actively used and ten devices to be stored in the pairing list. If you wanted to play with two headsets, you’ll be disappointed. There are also restrictions when pairing controllers: While you have Bluetooth audio connected, you can only use two controllers at a time. Four-player multiplayer and a connection to the Bluetooth soundbar are thus not possible.
The fact that Nintendo didn’t provide Bluetooth audio on its portable console has been met with widespread incredulity. At the time, our friend Phil Rüegg pointed how there was a jack port after all.
Guido Berger of SRF-Digital predicted the update in his 2017 review:
As the Switch supports Bluetooth (for its controllers), it could possibly support wireless headphones in the future. At the moment, however, that’s not possible; too bad for anyone whose smartphones just forced them to switch.
Nintendo has now complied with the community’s request. Four and a half years after first releasing the Switch console. By the way, the Switch is the first console from this generation to support Bluetooth audio. Neither Sony nor Microsoft’s consoles can handle the audio standard. They rely on proprietary radio links and corresponding hardware. So don’t throw away your Bluetooth dongle, you might still need it for the other consoles.
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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