New Switch 2 in stores: This is what Nintendo’s EU restructuring really brings
Nintendo is now shipping its revised version of the Switch 2 in Europe. A look inside the console shows how the manufacturer implements the strict EU requirements for battery replacement and what compromises buyers have to make to do so.
EU regulations force conversion
Nintendo has brought a new revision of the Nintendo Switch 2 to the European market. In order to comply with the European Union’s current requirements for the repairability of electronic devices, the Japanese manufacturer had to adapt the internal design of the console. The corresponding directive stipulates that consumers can maintain their devices more easily – especially when it comes to the battery. Until now, the battery was firmly glued to the internal housing frame and also covered by a heat shield.
This made access for repairs extremely difficult. With the new console, the manufacturer has dispensed with this complex design. The heat shield now ends directly in front of the battery compartment. This means that the component is directly accessible after removing the outer rear wall and can be removed without the use of lever tools.
Watch on YouTube
Look inside the console
As the YouTube channel Nintendúo shows in a detailed teardown video, the new interior brings both practical advantages and construction-related disadvantages. In order to protect the sensitive energy storage device from the strong waste heat of the main processor, it is now covered in a significantly thicker insulation layer.
The screws on the outer guide rails of the controllers are also completely exposed and are no longer hidden under decorative stickers. However, the additional space required for the thick insulation and the new mounting mechanism forces Nintendo to make spatial compromises. The maximum capacity of the battery drops by 48 mAh compared to the original model to 5172 mAh.
This should hardly be noticeable in normal everyday life, as the actual running time is only reduced by a few minutes. At the same time, the weight of the handheld console increases by 14 grams to a total of 548 grams. Apart from the revised power supply, everything technically remains the same. The built-in processor, RAM and screen are absolutely identical to the original model. Performance in current games does not change due to the physical conversion.
Nintendo also plans to soon offer official replacement batteries, including a suitable repair kit and illustrated instructions, through its own store. The removable Joy-Cons should also receive updates to make them easier to repair by the beginning of 2027.
This is how you can recognize the new model
Since Nintendo is rolling out the revised console to brick-and-mortar and digital retailers, buyers cannot select the exact model in advance when ordering. However, if you are specifically looking for the more maintenance-friendly version, you can use the following external features as a guide when purchasing on site:
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