Nintendo has officially confirmed that it will launch a redesigned Switch 2 console for the European market that will allow users to replace the battery themselves. This initiative is in line with the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542, which will officially take effect on February 18, 2027, requiring that all electronic products equipped with portable batteries must allow consumers to easily remove and replace the battery.
Nintendo confirms it will launch Switch 2 handheld console with swappable battery in EU
From rumors to official confirmation: “OSM” codename revealed
This news was first published by Japan’s Nikkei Shimbun on March 20, 2026report. Reports indicate that Nintendo is preparing a modified Switch 2 model with a replaceable battery, and that the lithium batteries of the console and Joy-Con 2 controller will be safely removable and replaceable.
On June 3, Nintendo Europe’s official website officially confirmed the matter. “For products with current model numbers starting with BEE” (i.e. the Switch 2, the codename BEE appears in Nintendo’s filing with the FCC), “future compliant versions will have separate model numbers and be marked with the additional code OSM on the packaging as a separate product label for regulatory purposes,” the website reads.
In fact, the code name “OSM” was discovered by the player community as early as early 2026. At that time, someone noticed that an unknown product code appeared in the Nintendo Account Portal. After entering it, a Switch 2-style console icon was displayed instead of an error message. Since Switch 2 is known to use the “BEE” codename, the emergence of “OSM” has triggered a lot of speculation. Now the answer is revealed: it is the marking code of the EU-compliant version of Switch 2.
How difficult is it to replace the battery on the existing Switch 2?
For Switch 2 consoles currently on the market, battery replacement is a tedious, multi-step repair procedure. According to iFixit’s disassembly guide, users need to dismantle the host casing, remove multiple screws, and disconnect the cables to access the battery module. For ordinary consumers, this is almost impossible to do on their own and can only be handled through Nintendo’s official repair service.
The same issue exists with the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Although the current version of Joy-Con 2 is detachable, its built-in lithium battery is not designed to be user-replaceable. Replacing the battery also requires disassembling the controller. According to Nikkei reports, the EU-compliant Joy-Con 2 will also be redesigned simultaneously so that the lithium batteries of the controllers on both sides can be safely removed and replaced.
EU “Battery Regulation”: Promoting changes in the entire industry
The background to Nintendo’s decision is the European Union’s 2023“Battery Regulation” (Regulation 2023/1542). This regulation covers a wide scope, and one of the key provisions stipulates that starting from February 2027, all consumer electronics products (including handheld game consoles) equipped with portable batteries must allow users to remove and replace the batteries themselves under “reasonable and easy” conditions. The core idea of this regulation is to extend the service life of electronic products. When batteries age or deteriorate, consumers should be able to replace them themselves, rather than being forced to throw away the entire unit or pay for expensive official repairs. The EU believes that this move can reduce electronic waste and save consumers money.
Nintendo isn’t the first company to adjust product design for this purpose. Sony has updated the PS5’s DualSense controller to make the battery easier to remove and replace. Apple has also modified the design of the new generation iPhone, using stainless steel battery housing, which reduces the difficulty of battery removal and also complies with EU regulations.
Limited to Europe? No plans for other markets yet
Currently, this swappable battery version of Switch 2 is only planned to be launched in the European market. Nikkei reports that Nintendo will continue to sell the Switch 2 with current specifications in Japan and the United States, and there are no plans to revise it. However, Nintendo also retains flexibility, saying that if other countries or regions introduce similar right-to-repair regulations, they will follow up as appropriate.
This means that Switch 2 users in Taiwan, Japan, the United States and other places will still not be able to enjoy the convenience of replacing the battery by themselves in the short term. In order for Nintendo to implement the replaceable battery design globally, I am afraid that local governments will need to follow up on legislation.
Impact on existing European Switch 2 owners
One question that remains unclear is: What will happen to the Switch 2 consoles currently sold in Europe? Will these “non-OSM” versions of consoles be discontinued? Will the warranty rights of existing users be affected? Nintendo has yet to explain this.
In addition, some analysts pointed out that if the original Switch (not Switch 2) fails to complete design modifications before the end of 2027, it may not be able to continue to be sold in the EU market. For Nintendo, whether the more than nine-year-old console deserves a redesign will be a business decision.
Conclusion
The EU’s “right to repair” regulations are substantially changing the design direction of consumer electronics. From Apple’s iPhone to Sony’s DualSense to Nintendo’s Switch 2, major manufacturers are being forced to rethink the repairability of their products. This is a positive development for consumers. After all, no one wants a fully functional handheld device to become electronic waste because of battery failure.
However, the reality of “European-limited” also highlights a problem: without regulatory enforcement, manufacturers lack incentives to proactively make products easier to repair. The advent of this swappable battery version of Switch 2 is to some extent a typical case of regulatory forces promoting industry progress.
Source: KOCPC Chinese