Nintendo has officially announced a new version of the Nintendo Switch 2 that allows users to replace the battery themselves, in response to EU regulations.
Nintendo has officially confirmed that they are working on a new model of the Nintendo Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery specifically for the European market. This update is in response to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, which focuses on batteries and waste batteries, as detailed on Nintendo’s official website.
According to the regulation, all devices sold within the EU must have batteries that can be easily replaced by the user at any point during the product’s life cycle. Nintendo has stated that they are preparing a product that meets these requirements.
The regulation is set to take effect on February 18, 2027. By that date, Nintendo is expected to provide the EU with Switch 2 units featuring replaceable batteries to comply with the new regulation.
The distinguishing factor of the new model will not be its design or performance, but its model number. Nintendo clarified that while current products use model numbers starting with ‘BEE,’ future versions compliant with the regulation will have a unique model number and an ‘OSM’ code on the packaging to differentiate them as separate products for regulatory purposes. ‘OSM’ will be the identifier for the EU-exclusive replaceable-battery model.
It is possible that other battery-powered peripherals such as Joy-Cons may also be included under the ‘BEE’ code, which refers to the entire device ecosystem rather than just the console.
Earlier this year, the ‘OSM’ code sparked rumors about new hardware. However, Nintendo’s official documentation has clarified that this model is primarily for regulatory compliance and not a new form factor. The only confirmed change so far is the replaceable battery; details about battery life or capacity differences have not been disclosed.
It is unlikely that this change will extend to regions outside of Europe.
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