In the Europe(EU), Nintendo intends to release Switch 2 hardware that makes the battery replacement simple. Nintendo said on its website that it is “implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation” in order to fulfill its commitments under a new EU legislation that will take effect on February 18, 2027.
As my colleague Dominic Preston recently reported, devices with user-replaceable batteries are becoming more popular due to EU rules. Beginning on that date in February 2027, a number of devices, including portable game consoles, are required by EU regulations to make it relatively simple for consumers to remove and replace their batteries.
As seen by iFixit, removing the battery from the Switch 2 is now a complicated, multi-step procedure. Nintendo did not indicate exactly what it will do with this upcoming version of the Switch 2 to make battery swaps easier. Additionally, it’s unclear whether a new model with a replacement battery will be offered in other areas. A request for comment was not immediately answered by Nintendo.
Nintendo states on its website that “future compliant versions will have unique model numbers and the additional code ‘OSM’ visible on the packaging, designating them as separate products for regulatory purposes” for current products with model numbers beginning with ‘BEE,’ which is used with the Switch 2, according to Nintendo’s filings with the FCC. We have spoken with Nintendo about the possibility of user-replaceable batteries for Switch 2 controllers, such as the Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, which also have the BEE designation.
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