Friday, March 20th 2026
Nintendo Plans Switch 2 With User-Replaceable Batteries for EU
Recent right to repair laws passed in the EU demand that, starting in February 2027, electronic devices have batteries that are user-replaceable with commonly available tools and without risk to the end user—that is to say, they shouldn't require proprietary tools or tools that aren't available to consumers. Nintendo, for its part, already preparing an update to the Nintendo Switch 2 to comply with this law, according to a report by Nikkei (via Covergeek), although the exact details of the more repairable battery model is unknown at the time of writing. According to the report, the more repairable Switch 2 will only launch in Europe, but Nintendo would expand the hardware to different regions as required by law.
In iFixit's teardown of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its battery replacement guide for the Switch 2 Joy Cons, the organization noted that the battery for both the Switch 2 and its Joy Cons were adhered in place, and a spudger was required to remove the batteries from the devices. While this isn't necessarily a specialized tool, it could be argued that needing to either dissolve an adhesive or pry a battery loose could add additional risk to the end user. To this end, it seems likely that both the Switch 2 and its Joy Cons could see a revision with weaker adhesive or no adhesive at all, which would make battery replacements easier and safer. It could also mean that Nintendo will need to replace the tri-point screws that hold the Switch 2 together.
Sources:
Nikkei, Covergeek
In iFixit's teardown of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its battery replacement guide for the Switch 2 Joy Cons, the organization noted that the battery for both the Switch 2 and its Joy Cons were adhered in place, and a spudger was required to remove the batteries from the devices. While this isn't necessarily a specialized tool, it could be argued that needing to either dissolve an adhesive or pry a battery loose could add additional risk to the end user. To this end, it seems likely that both the Switch 2 and its Joy Cons could see a revision with weaker adhesive or no adhesive at all, which would make battery replacements easier and safer. It could also mean that Nintendo will need to replace the tri-point screws that hold the Switch 2 together.
37 Comments on Nintendo Plans Switch 2 With User-Replaceable Batteries for EU
A) The replacement batteries will be uber-mega-expensive.. AND
B) Nontendio will use the rules to justify yet ANUTHA reason to jack up the prices of the console, you know, to recoup all the R&D required to make this change.....
But, yea, it should have been this way since day 1, instead of after the fact and being forced to comply with recent/new government regulations, which also should have been in place since day 1 !!!
This is part of a more general policy
www.eunews.it/en/2024/02/20/eu-crackdown-on-greenwashing-and-planned-obsolescence-is-official/
Not good enough! User replaceable batteries for EVERYONE!
Anything less is unacceptable.
-Provide at least 5 years of updates.
-Provide a website that sells official spare parts to customers for at least 7 years.
-Provide free repair manuals to everyone on said website.
-Show a label that informs the customer of how durable and repairable the smartphone is (EU energy label).
This was a win for customers and is in force for every new Smartphone introduced since June 2025 and you can find the spare parts websites and labels at eprel.ec.europa.eu/screen/product/smartphonestablets20231669
3M also has these reasons for why you would use adhesives and tape vs gaskets and metal screws: www.3m.com/3M/en_US/bonding-and-assembly-us/resources/benefits-of-adhesive-bonding/
Here is another show blog: www.ascouncil.org/news/adhesives-vs-mechanical-fasteners-in-mro-applications
There is actually a lot of reasons manufacturers and assemblers use adhesives vs gaskets and machine screws with fasteners.
For notebooks, apple will alter the DRM part of the batteries, so tat non-original batteries will work, but still macos will report a non-original battery...
I like the EU. Honestly.Apparently the bean counter logic worked out it returns more $$$Stop buying non EU Switches, and this will be a thing sooner than you can blink..
Alternatively, reinforce your domestic regulatory bodies, instead of nuking them into the ground... :) They're a nice component of a working democracy.
Phones and game consoles get removable batteries... in the EU
Parts to repair your devices are available... in the EU
It's time other jurisdictions take notice