Nintendo says the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers don't have Hall effect thumbsticks
However, since last Wednesday's blockbuster Direct, Nintendo has touched on some new Switch 2 details in interviews with the press. For one thing, Nate Bihldorff, Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing at Nintendo of America, told Nintendo Life that the console's Joy-Con 2 controllers do not use Hall effect tech. "The Joy-Con 2's controllers have been designed from the ground up," Bihldorff said. "They're not Hall effect sticks, but they feel really good."
Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto separately said that the Joy-Con 2 joysticks "are quieter and don't make noise, even when they're moved quickly to the edge." The company is referring to them as "smooth-gliding sticks."
Engadget has asked Nintendo why the company opted not to use Hall effect tech in the Joy-Con 2. We've also asked whether the Switch 2 Pro Controller foregoes Hall effect sensors as well.
This technology is becoming increasingly common in the thumbsticks of third-party gamepads, but Nintendo has yet to implement it in its own joysticks (nor have Sony or Microsoft, for that matter). The idea behind Hall effect sensors is that they reduce the likelihood of stick drift. This problem was so pervasive on the original Switch's Joy-Cons that Nintendo offered free, unlimited repairs for stick drift in Europe. So it's not clear why Nintendo would opt out of having Hall effect sensors in the Joy-Con 2 to help mitigate such problems.
Meanwhile, Nintendo has confirmed US pricing for a few Switch 2 experiences. The company told IGN that the upgrades for two The Legend of Zelda games — Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom — cost $10 each for those who already own either game. However, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers get access to the upgrades at no extra cost.
The Switch 2 upgrades include visual fidelity and framerate enhancements, along with the inclusion of HDR support and faster loading times. You'll also be able to use the Switch mobile app as a Sheikah Slate of sorts, helping you to find hidden items with voiced directions.
In addition, Nintendo has revealed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which seems like a tech demo that will take you through all the features of the console, will cost $10. As for why Nintendo is charging 10 bucks for this as opposed to offering it for free (like Valve did with the fun Steam Deck tech demo, Aperture Desk Job, or Sony did with Astro's Playroom on PS5), Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience Bill Trinen had this to say to IGN:
For some people, I think there are people who are particularly interested in the tech and the specs of the system and things like that, for them I think it's going to be a great product. It's really for people that want more information about the system rather than necessarily a quick intro to everything it does. And for that reason and just the amount of care and work that the team put into it, I think it was decided that, 'Yeah, this feels like $9.99 is not an exorbitant price. It feels like a good value for what you're getting out of the product.'
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When I tested the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for my review this past May, I experienced something I've rarely encountered in my decade reviewing electronics: The XM6 sounded so good and felt so comfortable that I saw them as a device that I could rely on for my long-term future, my next everyday pair of headphones. But even though I love them, I know the XM6 are far from cheap, which makes them perfect for a long-term review that shows how they hold up over time. A diligent shopper can compare specs all they want, but there's nothing that can help you with an upgrade decision like hearing from someone who's truly lived with a device for more than three months. Here's why the Sony XM6 are my favorite new product of 2025. Sony WH-1000XM6 Over-Ear Headphones An unrivaled mix of sound quality, noise cancellation and comfort kept the Sony XM6 on my head all summer long. The Sony XM6's noise canceling and drivers makes music sound perfect While I've preferred over-ear headphones for as long as I can remember, I first fell in love with pricier high-fidelity headphones back in 2017 when the since-retired second-generation Beoplay H6 headphones reintroduced me to my favorite music. In the eight years that followed, I've had to leave those headphones at my home office desk because they require a headphone jack. Fortunately, this wasn't the biggest loss, as the best noise-canceling headphones have caught up in audio quality. Sure, a Bluetooth connection doesn't provide the perfect reliability that a headphone cord does, but the XM6 are so good at immersing me in the sound that I don't miss the H6 that much. That immersion isn't easily won either, as I live in a noisy neighborhood and the sounds of tourists and traffic tend to leak through my windows and walls. I'm happy to report, however, that I blocked out the chaotic summer rumble with the XM6's noise cancellation and just a smidge of my favorite tracks on top. For example, when I hit Play on Brooklyn-based electronica artist Jigitz's song 'Pressure,' I luxuriated in its bass lines thumping and bouncing around its sweet vocals. Even softer songs play exactly as intended, as David Byrne's singing and the twinkling instruments of the Talking Heads' 'This Must Be the Place' sounded natural, strong and accurate. Sony's noise cancellation is so good, in fact, that I can comfortably hear what I'm listening to at less than 25% volume (my future self will thank me). I've only had to turn the volume to 50% while commuting to work on the subway. 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I can confirm this works, but I personally just don't use it because I don't like to hand over that control to the headphones. The XM6's microphones capture audio that sounded good to great on the other end, according to friends and family on phone calls during the last three months. My original review's testing, though, showed that sound quality on calls and recorded sound for the best noise-canceling headphones is highly subjective. The Bose QC Ultra and the AirPods Max took their own wins over the Sony XM6, depending on who was listening. The XM6 offer long battery life and a comfortable fit One of the best things about the XM6 is how their long battery life lets me stop worrying about charging times. Sony rates them for up to 30 hours of audio playback with noise canceling enabled, and I got similar (if not better) time from them. I used them throughout my week-long trip to Mexico City, including more than 11 hours of flight time. 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When you pair the XM6 with a different device, hold the power button until you hear the headphones say 'pairing,' and then select the 'WH-1000XM6' from the Bluetooth menu. When was the Sony WH-1000XM6 released? When was the Sony WH-1000XM6 released? The Sony XM6's release date was May 15, 2025. What is the best way to clean the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones? What is the best way to clean the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones? CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products we review and provides full transparency about our testing methodology. We're made up of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Electronics writer Henry T. Casey has written tech product reviews for a decade, during which he's been amazed by the amount of sound companies are squeezing out of the constantly shrinking earbuds, speakers and headphones. 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