Nintendo to launch Switch 2 with user-replaceable batteries in Europe

The regulatory shift forces manufacturers to simplify battery access for portable electronic devices. While current iterations of the Switch 2 require complex, multi-step procedures to reach the power cell—as evidenced by teardowns from iFixit—the upcoming compliant hardware will streamline this process. Nintendo indicated that these specialized units will carry the 'OSM' code on their packaging to distinguish them from existing models currently marked with the 'BEE' identifier.

Questions remain regarding the extent of these changes and their geographic footprint. Nintendo has not confirmed whether the user-friendly battery design will extend to peripheral hardware like Joy-Cons or the Pro Controller, nor has it stated if these versions will be released outside of the European market. The company noted that these future-compliant versions will be treated as distinct products for regulatory purposes.