Nintendo Is Releasing a New Version of the Switch 2, but It Probably Won’t Be in the US.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched about a year ago . In that time, new Nintendo games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World have appeared; updates for older Switch games have been released to take advantage of the more powerful hardware; and there’s even been a price increase , not a price reduction. Now, as the console celebrates its first birthday, Nintendo has confirmed that it’s already working on a new version of the Switch 2. This won’t be a variant with an OLED screen, nor will it feature an even faster processor. Instead, the new Switch 2 will bring a useful change to the console’s battery life—just not for those outside of Europe.
Nintendo is making the Switch 2’s battery removable.
In a statement on its website, Nintendo confirmed that the upcoming Switch 2 will ship with a removable battery—and an easily removable one at that. Currently, the Switch 2 (and the Switch 1, for that matter) have a battery encased within the console’s entire body, like many other modern devices. To access the battery, you’ll have to disassemble the entire handheld console, which is much more difficult than it should be. According to a repair guide from iFixit , you’ll need to heat the device, remove the covers from each Joy-Con mount, use pry tools, and remove numerous components to find the battery. And that’s not even considering the need to loosen the adhesive on the battery, remove it, replace it with a new one, and then reverse all of the above steps to reassemble the console. What a mess.
An easily removable battery would be a great improvement, enhancing user experience. While it’s not necessary when first starting out with the Switch 2, over time the original battery will hold a noticeably shorter charge than before. Being able to simply remove the battery, perhaps through a separate compartment, and replace it with a new one would significantly extend the console’s lifespan.
Nintendo will likely only offer removable batteries for the Switch 2 in Europe.
The bad news is that this new console probably won’t be available in the US—or outside of Europe, for that matter. As it turns out, Nintendo isn’t making these changes for the benefit of its users. Instead, the company is following EU regulations. In its initial statement, Nintendo confirmed that “batteries built into certain devices sold in the EU must be easily replaceable by end users at any time during the product’s life. Nintendo is taking steps to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of its products that comply with the Regulation.”
While Nintendo could release the new Switch 2 worldwide, localization may prove more practical. Since the changes are only necessary in the EU, continuing sales of the current model and releasing a limited run of updated consoles in Europe could save the company money. This isn’t the first time EU-specific features and devices have been offered in the region. For example, iPhones in the EU can use alternative app stores, third-party browsers, and NFC payment systems from third-party developers. They even have a separate SIM card tray, while US iPhones rely entirely on eSIM.
However, never say never. Nintendo may decide to streamline production and simply apply these EU-approved changes to all new Switch 2 consoles going forward. If you buy a Switch 2 after Nintendo transitions to the new model, you may benefit from the new design—even if you live in a different region. We’ll have to see what Nintendo decides to do after implementing the new battery design.
When will the new Switch 2 console be released?
The exact date is still unknown, but the deadline is known: according to EU regulations, companies like Nintendo must begin offering these battery adjustments on February 18, 2027. Nintendo may release the console earlier, but I think we’ll know by February whether the new Switch 2 will ship globally or just in Europe.