Nintendo is reportedly making a Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery for the EU

Nearly a decade after the original Nintendo Switch's release, the console is changing in a way that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. However, it's not about new games or improved computing power — the change concerns something fundamental: users will be able to replace the battery themselves. This may sound like a minor detail, but for the consumer electronics industry, it's a revolution that's starting in Europe and potentially expanding worldwide. All thanks to a regulation that forces tech giants to think about what happens to their products after years of use.

Nintendo is preparing a special version of Switch 2 with a replaceable battery, according to a Nikkei report. This is a direct response to the EU's "right to repair" directive from 2023, which imposes on manufacturers of portable electronics the obligation to facilitate battery replacement. The Japanese gaming company's decision shows how far the reach of European regulators extends — and how deep the cracks already are in a business model based on planned product obsolescence.

The directive that changed the game

The EU directive on "right to repair" didn't appear overnight. It's the result of years of discussion about electronic waste, product durability, and manufacturer responsibility. European institutions identified a problem: millions of devices end up in landfills every year because their batteries degrade, and manufacturers deliberately make access to them difficult. In the case of Nintendo Switch, the battery is one of the main failure points — after a few years of intensive use, the console's battery life drops drastically.

The regulation gives manufacturers until 2027 to comply with the new requirements. This is not a random date — it gives the industry enough time to redesign devices without drastic disruptions to the supply chain. For Nintendo, this means that Switch 2 — a console that is just hitting the market — must be designed from the start with battery replaceability in mind for Europe.

Interestingly, the directive also covers Joy-Con 2 — controllers that will need to allow replacement of built-in lithium-ion batteries. This is a detail many could overlook, but it's crucial. Joy-Cons have been a pain point for users for years — analog stick drift and battery problems are the two most common reasons for complaints. Redesigning them to allow battery replacement is a step toward a more durable product.

Why Switch 2 will be different in Europe

Nintendo faces an interesting engineering challenge. Switch 2 must be designed in such a way that the battery is easily accessible to the average user — it doesn't require specialized tools or technical knowledge. This is a much more restrictive requirement than what Apple or Samsung do with iPhones or Samsungs. Those devices have protective cases that need to be disassembled before reaching the battery. Nintendo will need to find an elegant solution that doesn't worsen the console's ergonomics.

One possible strategy is to move the battery to the bottom of the device, with access through a removable cover. Another approach would be to use magnetic latches instead of screws. Nintendo has a reputation as a company that can do more with less — thinking about designing devices that are both functional and elegant. The challenge is to ensure that this battery replaceability doesn't reduce the durability of the casing or increase susceptibility to dust and moisture.

It's worth noting that Nintendo doesn't plan to introduce this version to other markets — at least not yet. This is a classic manufacturer approach: comply with local regulations, but don't force other markets to make such changes if they're not required. However, as the industry notes, the situation could change quickly. If the United Kingdom, Canada, or other countries adopt similar regulations, Nintendo will have to decide: should it design separate variants for each region, or simply make replaceable batteries a global standard?

The domino effect in the electronics industry

Nintendo is not the first company that the European directive has forced to make changes. Apple has already modified iPhone designs to facilitate battery replacement — introducing a steel battery enclosure that is more easily accessible to repair services and, theoretically, to users themselves. Sony reportedly is working on updating DualSense controllers for PlayStation 5 to meet the same requirements.

Interestingly, these design changes sometimes bring unexpected benefits. In the case of iPhones, the new battery enclosure not only facilitated replacement but also allowed Apple to increase battery capacity. This shows that regulation doesn't have to be an obstacle — it can be an opportunity for innovation. Manufacturers can find ways to meet legal requirements while simultaneously improving their products.

The directive for smartphones is even more rigorous. By 2027, all smartphones sold in the EU must have replaceable batteries. This means Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and everyone else will have to change their designs. For the industry, this is the biggest change since the introduction of the USB-C standard.

The original Switch and the question of the future

There is also speculation about the future of the original Nintendo Switch. If the directive is strictly enforced, the original Switch — the console from 2017 — could be withdrawn from sale in the EU by the end of 2027. Nintendo could either redesign the old hardware or simply stop selling it on the European market.

This would be a dramatic move, but not without precedent. Electronics manufacturers have previously been forced to withdraw older models due to regulations regarding energy or safety. However, in this case, it would be particularly symbolic — the withdrawal of a console that sold over 139 million units due to the requirement that its battery be replaceable.

Nintendo has not yet officially commented on these plans. The company typically waits until regulations are fully clear before taking a public stance. However, given the Nikkei reports and industry news, it seems that preparations are already underway.

Implications for consumers and the environment

From a user's perspective, a replaceable battery is clearly a positive change. Switch, like any portable device, will have a degrading battery — it's the law of physics. Instead of discarding the entire console or paying for an expensive repair, a user will simply be able to buy a new battery and replace it. This extends the device's lifespan, reduces e-waste, and ultimately saves consumers money.

From an environmental perspective, the change is even more significant. Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. Lithium-ion batteries contain materials that can be harmful to the environment if not properly recycled. Reducing the number of entire devices ending up in landfills means less damage to ecosystems and less pressure on natural resources.

However, there's also an economic aspect that not everyone likes. Manufacturers lose the ability to implement "planned obsolescence" — a strategy in which devices are designed to become less useful after a certain time, forcing consumers to buy new ones. For companies like Nintendo, Apple, or Sony, battery replaceability means that consumers will keep their devices longer, which could reduce overall sales.

Will this become a global standard?

The big question is: will other regions of the world follow the European Union's lead? The answer is multifaceted. The United States has not yet introduced a unified requirement for replaceable batteries at the federal level, although some states are considering similar regulations. California, known for its rigorous technical standards, could be the first candidate.

East Asia is more complex. Japan, while a leader in technological innovation, traditionally leans more toward a self-regulatory approach than a regulatory one. China may adopt regulations if it sees them as a way to increase the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers. India and other developing markets may wait for other regions to establish standards before introducing their own.

For Nintendo and other manufacturers, a scenario where different regions have different requirements would be a logistical nightmare. This could push them to adopt replaceable batteries as a global standard — simply because it's cheaper than maintaining multiple product variants. In a sense, the European regulation could become a de facto global standard, not through persuasion, but through economies of scale.

Timing and implications for Switch 2

Switch 2 is hitting the market at a time when the European directive is already fully clear. This means Nintendo has the opportunity to design the console with a replaceable battery from the start, rather than redesigning an existing product. This is a much cheaper and more elegant solution from an engineering standpoint.

However, the question of timing remains. The directive gives until 2027, but Switch 2 will be available much sooner. If Nintendo sells Switch 2 in Europe before 2027, it will need to ensure that the console already meets the requirements for a replaceable battery. This suggests that the European version of Switch 2 could be available almost immediately after launch.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world will wait. Nintendo will sell the standard version of Switch 2 with a non-replaceable battery in markets outside Europe. This is a "wait and see" strategy — if other regions adopt similar regulations, Nintendo will have to adapt. If they don't, the company will save on production costs in most markets.

A breakthrough or a symbol?

Finally, it's worth considering what this change really means for the industry. A replaceable battery in Switch 2 is not a technological revolution — replaceable battery technology has existed for decades. However, it is a symbol of change in the balance of power between manufacturers and consumers. For years, electronics manufacturers have dictated the terms: manufacturers decided what was replaceable and what wasn't. The European directive changes that equation.

Nintendo, Apple, Sony, and others will have to accept that consumers have the right to repair and maintain their devices. This doesn't mean manufacturers will lose all control — they can still design products that are difficult to repair in other aspects. But the battery, a key component of every portable device, will have to be accessible.

The question now facing the industry is: will this be the beginning of a larger trend toward more durable, repairable devices? Or will it be just a targeted change, enforced by regulation, but not fundamentally changing the approach to product design? The answer will become clear in the coming years as we see how other countries respond to the European precedent and how manufacturers adapt their business strategies to the new reality.