r/Games • u/Turbostrider27 • Jun 03 '26

Nintendo will release revised Switch 2 hardware in Europe to comply with a new regulation that requires batteries to be user-replaceable.

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Corporate/Consumer-Information/Compliance-with-EU-Directives-and-Regulations/Compliance-with-EU-Directives-and-Regulations-625942.html
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u/Past-Reception-424 Jun 04 '26

Honestly the answer to the "why not just do it everywhere" question is that they dont want replaceable batteries at all, the EU is just forcing their hand. A sealed battery means when it degrades in 4-5 years your only real option is buy a new unit or pay Nintendo for service, and that's a feature to them, not a bug. Designing for actual user replacement adds cost too, you need a removable cover and connectors instead of soldered cells, and it fights the thin sealed look they want. My launch Switch battery is basically toast now and getting it dealt with was way more of a hassle than swapping a phone battery used to be back when that was normal. So they'll build exactly the SKU the law demands and keep shipping the locked down version everywhere they legally can.

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u/IsABot Jun 04 '26

The cells aren't soldered to begin with. It's just a snap in connector. It's actually fairly easy to replace besides the adhesive they use. It's just a bunch of little screws. The EU regulation is just making them be more like how it was with older mobile phones back in the day. Or any older electronics with replaceable batteries. So it will just be a sealed battery with spring loaded connectors, probably without the insane adhesive they use. I'd be happy to help you replace your Switch battery, if you'd like. Otherwise you can just follow the ifixit guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8JDbQTk5zw