Nintendo has announced it will bring a new version of the Switch 2 to the European Union with user‑replaceable batteries in the console and controllers.
The new battery design is a response to one of the EU’s e-waste reduction laws, which requires most portable devices to feature easily removable batteries beginning in 2027. The idea is that, instead of throwing away devices with poor battery health, EU residents can swap out their batteries instead to extend their devices’ lifespans.
Reports say Model numbers and an extra “OSM” label on retail boxes will help buyers differentiate between the regular model and the Switch 2 with the replaceable battery, Engadget reports. The company will continue to sell the standard Switch 2 in other regions, so this change will be exclusively regional for now.
Luckily, the EU’s version of the Switch 2 differs only in its battery, not in performance. Pricing details for the revised hardware remain unclear, and Nintendo has not said anything about trade‑in or upgrade paths for existing Switch 2 owners in Europe.
