Nintendo confirms new Switch 2 model for EU with easier battery access

Nintendo has confirmed plans to produce a version of its Switch 2 console for the European Union market that will allow users to remove and replace the battery with relative ease.

EU regulation drives hardware change

The move comes in response to an EU regulation set to take effect on 18th February 2027, which will require a broad range of gadgets — including portable games consoles — to feature batteries that can be swapped out by the user without significant difficulty.

On its website, Nintendo states that it is "implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation."

The wider industry shift towards user-replaceable batteries, driven by European legislation, was recently explored by The Verge's Dominic Preston.

What Nintendo has and hasn't confirmed

Nintendo has not disclosed precisely what modifications will be made to the Switch 2 to meet the new requirements. At present, replacing the battery in the Switch 2 is a complex, multi-stage procedure, as demonstrated by iFixit.

It also remains unclear whether a revised model will be made available to consumers outside of the EU. Nintendo did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.

New model numbers and packaging codes

Nintendo's website offers some detail on how the compliant versions will be identified. The company notes that, "For current products with model numbers starting with 'BEE'" — the designation used for the Switch 2, as confirmed in Nintendo's FCC filings — "future compliant versions will have unique model numbers and the additional code 'OSM' visible on the packaging, designating them as separate products for regulatory purposes."

The BEE model designation also extends to Switch 2 accessories, including the Pro Controller and the Joy-Cons. Nintendo has been asked whether those peripherals will also be updated to feature user-replaceable batteries under the new regulation.