Nintendo has recently revealed that it will redesign the Switch 2 to make it easier for users to perform a DIY replacement of the console's battery.
This is definitely good news for gamers, and all of this is thanks to the European Union's requirements for all portable electronic devices.
Nintendo Switch 2 Redesign: Easier Battery Replacement
The EU's Batteries Regulation requires that, from February 2027, batteries integrated into portable electronics and sold in the EU must be easily replaceable by end-users at any time during the lifetime of the product.
It was recently confirmed by Nintendo that it is implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of its products to meet the regulations.
The way Nintendo plans to distinguish the new version centers on adding the new "OSM" code on the packaging that is visible for buyers to see. This will apply to devices with the model code starting with BEE, which will designate these as separate products for regulatory purposes.
According to Digital Trends, this means that shoppers in Europe will eventually be able to identify a Switch 2 with the easier-to-replace battery just by checking the box. Whether the OSM models eventually make their way to other regions is not yet confirmed as of press time.
Should it happen, it would not be the first time a hardware change driven by EU regulation ended up benefiting players in other markets.
Making DIY Battery Swap Easier on the Switch 2
The Switch 2 uses a 17.74Wh lithium-ion (Li-On) power cell tucked away inside the console and is glued to the console's body.
This means that when the time comes that the Switch 2's battery degrades, it will be challenging for users to replace it on their own, especially as Li-On cells are known for dropping to 80 percent of their original capacity after 300 to 500 charging cycles.
On current Switch 2 hardware, replacing the battery yourself is far from straightforward as users will be met by various tamper-proofing measures put in place by Nintendo. Users will also need to disconnect several internal components to avoid damaging them.
The latest push by EU on reducing electronic waste, which centers on making maintenance, repairs, and replacements easier for users, helps improve repairability for devices.
Alongside this, the United States' right-to-repair law in select states also helps support this initiative that pushes manufacturers to redesign their technology for easier repairability.
Nintendo Switch 2's Repairability Score
The existing Switch 2 hardware does not score well on repairability as iFixit gave the console a repairability score of 3 out of 10.
As per iFixit, the battery is aggressively glued in, the joysticks still appear to use the same drift-prone potentiometer technology from previous Switch models, and important components like the USB-C charge ports and game card reader are soldered directly to the board.
The OSM redesign is the way for Nintendo to improve the repairability of the Switch 2, especially with user-replaceable batteries that the EU is requiring.
