Nintendo Switch 2 overhaul could bring a removable battery — new revision aims to comply with the EU's Right to Repair regulations

A Nintendo Switch 2 in standalone mode sitting next to the Joy-Con controller grip — (Image credit: Jeffrey Kampman/Tom's Hardware)

The Nintendo Switch 2 will reportedly get a removable battery specifically for the European market. According to Nikkei [machine translated], the company is making the hardware revision due to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, which says that “Any natural or legal person that places on the market products incorporating portable batteries shall ensure that those batteries are readily removable and replaceable by the end-user at any time during the lifetime of the product.” Although the law was passed in 2023, the removable battery clause will not take effect until February 18, 2027.

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This change will also affect the Joy-cons, making it easier for users to replace the batteries on the console and its controllers without needing special tools, solvents, or other materials — at least in the EU. Nevertheless, there is hope for the rest of the world, as the company is reportedly planning to make the same change if the U.S. and Japan adopt similar right-to-repair rules.

It’s unclear why Nintendo didn’t build the Switch 2 with a removable battery from the get-go, especially as Europe is its second-largest market after the United States. Still, this is good news for European fans as it would allow them to easily replace the battery on future Switch 2 consoles, letting them keep their gaming handheld for longer.

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This is another challenge that Nintendo has faced in recent months. Despite the Switch 2’s record-breaking opening weekend sales, the company is facing weaker game sales. One report blamed the AI-driven chip shortage for making storage more expensive, although others point to pricier titles and a lack of compelling options as the reason gamers are purchasing fewer games. It has even sued the U.S. government over tariffs, demanding a $200 billion refund with interest.

Note that the EU regulation isn’t limited to the Nintendo Switch 2 or gaming handhelds. In fact, it’s expected to affect nearly every portable battery-powered device, including smartphones, laptops, earbuds, headphones, and more. Other companies have already started responding to this change, with Sony making it easier to replace the batteries on its DualSense controllers and the new MacBook Neo being much easier to repair than older MacBook models.

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Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

6 Comments Comment from the forums

Shiznizzle

"It’s unclear why Nintendo didn’t build the Switch 2 with a removable battery from the get-go, especially as Europe is its second-largest market after the United States."

This was not obvious to you?

So you buy a whole new unit when the battery dies or at the very least send it off to Nintendo to have them replace the battery. If they even do that. If not then scrap the thing and but a new one. Built in obsolescence.
Reply
Ktbpylon

Too bad it also won't include a revamped screen that isn't an absolute pile of dog poop.
Reply
Daniel15

Shiznizzle said:
"It’s unclear why Nintendo didn’t build the Switch 2 with a removable battery from the get-go, especially as Europe is its second-largest market after the United States."

This was not obvious to you?

So you buy a whole new unit when the battery dies or at the very least send it off to Nintendo to have them replace the battery. If they even do that. If not then scrap the thing and but a new one. Built in obsolescence.
I think the writer's point is that the requirement to have user-replaceable batteries was already known when the Switch 2 was released, so it's weird that they need to release a new version.

My guess would be that they've already designed both models, and want to sell the version with the non-user-replaceable battery for as long as they can, for the reasons you mentioned.
Reply
JayGau

Ktbpylon said:
Too bad it also won't include a revamped screen that isn't an absolute pile of dog poop.
What are you talking about? The screen is great. It's not the fastest but it doesn't matter since games don't run at more than 60 fps anyway. All those youtubers complaining about the screen "bad" response time never mentioned that it's better to not have instant response when your screen is designed to run games at low fps. But beside that, they all praised the image quality.
Reply
LordVile

Daniel15 said:
I think the writer's point is that the requirement to have user-replaceable batteries was already known when the Switch 2 was released, so it's weird that they need to release a new version.

My guess would be that they've already designed both models, and want to sell the version with the non-user-replaceable battery for as long as they can, for the reasons you mentioned.
Mine would be scales of production. It’s cheaper and faster to make one SKU
Reply
beyondlogic

Daniel15 said:
I think the writer's point is that the requirement to have user-replaceable batteries was already known when the Switch 2 was released, so it's weird that they need to release a new version.

My guess would be that they've already designed both models, and want to sell the version with the non-user-replaceable battery for as long as they can, for the reasons you mentioned.

Cheaper to design a enclosed system then a the replaceable one.

That and your adding more points of failure
Exposed contacts and battery may not be as efficient.
May have to make it thicker.
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