Nintendo Prepares Switch 2 with User-Replaceable Battery in Response to EU Regulations

Nintendo is reportedly preparing a new version of its latest-generation console, the Nintendo Switch 2, with a user-replaceable battery design. This step is said to be a response to new EU regulations on the right-to-repair concept.

The policy requires portable electronic devices to have designs that facilitate battery replacement, with implementation deadlines up to 2027. This means manufacturers like Nintendo must adjust their hardware designs if they wish to continue marketing products in the European region.

This change serves as a strong signal that regulations are now directly impacting gaming device designs, not limited to smartphones or laptops.

In circulating reports, as cited from Engadget, not only the main Switch 2 unit will undergo adjustments. The latest controllers, referred to as the new generation Joy-Con, will also be redesigned to make their batteries easier to replace.

To date, lithium-ion batteries in devices like Joy-Con are known to be difficult to remove without special tools. With these new rules, future device designs are certain to be more modular and user-friendly.

This more open design approach is expected to extend device usage while reducing electronic waste. Previously, many devices were discarded simply due to battery failures that were hard to fix.

While this is good news for consumers in Europe, there is no certainty whether the Switch 2 version with replaceable batteries will be available globally.

So far, the changes are said to be focused on meeting EU regulations. However, it is not impossible that similar approaches will be adopted in other regions if similar rules are implemented.

This phenomenon previously occurred in the smartphone industry, where design changes often started from regional policies before being adopted globally.

Several major technology companies are also beginning to adapt. Apple, for example, has modified the design of its latest iPhones to make them easier to repair, including battery replacement. Meanwhile, Sony is reportedly considering updates to the DualSense controller design to meet similar regulations.

These steps demonstrate that government policies are now playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the direction of consumer technology product designs.

On the other hand, there is a possibility that older-generation Nintendo Switch consoles will no longer be sold in Europe after 2027 if they are not updated to comply with the regulations.

To date, Nintendo has not issued an official statement regarding these plans or details of the latest Switch 2 specifications.