Nintendo recently confirmed that it is developing a new Nintendo Switch 2 console specifically for the European market which will come with an easily replaceable battery.
This is to ensure that consoles sold in those markets will comply with a new European Union law, Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 which states that from February 18, 2027, batteries installed in certain electronic products must be easily removable and replaceable by consumers to facilitate the extension of the device's lifespan.
The concept of a battery built into a device that is difficult to replace has been normalized for far too long, and for the European Union, the ability to replace the battery when necessary is a way to reduce e-waste and extend the lifespan of devices, especially smart devices and portable game consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2.
Later, the Nintendo Switch 2 model that will come with this replaceable battery will be labeled with the name “OSM” on the console box to make it easier to find. This also means that the new Nintendo Switch 2 console will come with a slightly different design that makes battery replacement easier to do, as changing the battery on the existing Switch 2 is a rather complicated process.
However, it is currently unknown when this model will be introduced, and if it will arrive for markets other than Europe.
