Nintendo Switch 2 with user-replaceable batteries coming to the EU — console maker confirms it will comply with regulations set to take effect from 2027

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Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers might also be revised.

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

Nintendo has officially disclosed that it's planning on releasing a new version of the Switch 2, updated to comply with European Union regulations. According to these new rules, certain devices, including portable handhelds, need to have easily user-replaceable batteries if they wish to be sold in the region. The law goes into effect from February 18, 2027, so we can assume Nintendo will have an updated Switch 2 out by then.

The company has a dedicated "Compliance with EU Directives and Regulations" page on its website that was just updated with a new "Batteries Regulation" section. It mentions how the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive has made replaceable batteries mandatory and that "Nintendo is implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation."

The last part of the sentence is the important bit; it confirms that the company will launch a Switch 2 with user-replaceable batteries sometime between now and February 2027. The products falling under this category come with model numbers starting with "BEE," and in the future, they'll have an additional code "OSM" visible on the package to indicate "separate products for regulatory purposes."

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That specific wording makes it sound like the Switch 2 units that comply with the new battery rules are different from a regular Switch 2, almost discouraging users from opting for it willingly. Moreover, the "BEE" model number is also designated to Switch 2 Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller, so it remains to be seen whether they'll be updated with replaceable-battery models as well.

Whatever ends up happening, it's important to keep in mind that we're talking about the European Union only, so don't expect to see a potentially revised Switch 2 being sold in North America or Asia. Of course, it can be imported, but we don't know whether Nintendo will region-lock the consoles to ensure they only work in the EU. Currently, Switch 2 models and games (outside of Japan) are not region-locked.

Lastly, you can still swap out the batteries in a regular Switch 2 today, but it's a very involved process, similar to a modern smartphone — if not harder. There are about 36 steps listed in iFixit's guide just for getting the battery out, and another 27 after for reassembly. The console overall has a 3/10 repairability score, lower than the original Switch, and much lower than even the latest iPhone 17 Pro lineup.

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Hassam Nasir
Hassam Nasir
Contributing Writer

Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bigdragon
    I think user replaceable batteries should be the norm everywhere. The EU is doing something positive with this regulation!
    Reply
  • UKTone
    Love/loved (don't like everything they do) Nintendo and this is great, hopefully they make this a thing everywhere. Also, does this apply to playstation controllers, iphones, androids, etc.? Do eu electronics work in america, asking for a friend lol? Asking specifically for phones and controllers.
    Reply
  • Li Ken-un
    When California passes a similar law, all of a sudden, the entirety of the U.S. gets removable batteries for electronics that are now internally hosed with glue.

    Until then, I will go to the E.U. just to get the version with removable batteries on principle, even if the batteries I would need to buy to do a replacement are hard to get in the U.S.
    Reply
  • circadia
    UKTone said:
    Love/loved (don't like everything they do) Nintendo and this is great, hopefully they make this a thing everywhere. Also, does this apply to playstation controllers, iphones, androids, etc.? Do eu electronics work in america, asking for a friend lol? Asking specifically for phones and controllers.
    EU electronics does work in the USA, and quite a lot of them don't even need any changing or EU->US adapters whatsoever, especially for mobile devices.
    Also, judging by how the new iPhones now use USB-C all across the world, I'm quite sure that so long as the EU laws require the manufacturers to modify their hardware, you will also be able to get the hardware with the modifications made to comply with EU laws elsewhere.
    I hope Nintendo doesn't maliciously comply with this ruling though. Technically many types of batteries out there are "replaceable", it just takes a huge effort to do so.
    Reply
  • das_stig
    Will be norm world wide, not business sense to keep 2 assembly lines open, they will just let old stock sell out.
    Reply
  • Moonstick2
    circadia said:
    Also, judging by how the new iPhones now use USB-C all across the world, I'm quite sure that so long as the EU laws require the manufacturers to modify their hardware, you will also be able to get the hardware with the modifications made to comply with EU laws elsewhere.
    Probably. It's usually more trouble than it's worth to have two separate designs in this way, but there may be a significant amount of crossover if they have a lot of parts for the original design on the shelf or otherwise committed.

    circadia said:
    I hope Nintendo doesn't maliciously comply with this ruling though. Technically many types of batteries out there are "replaceable", it just takes a huge effort to do so.
    It's a regulation not a ruling. As mentioned in the article it's technically possible to replace the battery in the current Switch 2, but the regulation is very clear: the battery needs to be "readily removable", with "commercially available tools" (or tools provided free with the product), and require no heat or solvent (so adhesives are allowed, provided you can easily separate the parts by hand or otherwise provided tool). Instructions have to be publicly available online and "easily understandable".

    There's no point in Nintendo playing silly games with this.
    Reply