Thanks to Europe, we’re still reaping the benefits of Apple’s bent knee, which saw USB-C introduced to iPhones everywhere. Not even Nintendo can avoid the EU’s newest regulations, which come into effect in mid-February 2027. Soon, Switch 2 consoles will be kitted out with ‘user-replaceable’ batteries. As it stands, Nintendo’s hardware has its batteries glued inside the case, with no safe way to swap ’em out.
We’ll never say no to more consumer protection. But the way Nintendo is complying isn’t the greatest, either. For one thing, not all countries will get the new models. If the company can get away with selling a console with a permanently lodged battery, it will. Secondly, those ‘user-replaceable’ batteries will technically be weaker.
Ninty’s falling in line
Other than the new type of battery, neither the Switch 2 nor its accessories are being upgraded — not in that way. Nintendo’s official support page reads: “There is no difference in functionality between current products and revised products containing user-replaceable batteries.”
While the protections are aimed at those countries within Europe, other countries will feel the benefits. South Africa is on the list, according to the support page. While Nintendo makes it clear that the first products with the new batteries will go on sale later this year and stretch into early 2027, there’s no telling when SA will get a turn.
Read More: Nintendo pulls the trigger on global Switch 2 price hikes
The Switch 2 itself will be the first to see the upgrade in Spring this year. It will feature a 5,172mAh battery, which is 1% smaller than the current model (5,220mAh). The new console is also heavier, adding 14g to the console with the Joy-Cons attached. The included Joy-Con 2 controllers will also receive new replaceable batteries.
The biggest victim of the whole arrangement is the Switch 2 Pro Controller. Sure, that battery will become replaceable, but it’s also 16% smaller than the one we reviewed a year ago. It’ll be fitted with an 897mAh cell, rather than a 1,070mAh one. Nintendo’s GameCube and N64 controllers (for Switch 2) are also getting new batteries. The former won’t see any change to battery capacity, while the latter will get a 5% bigger battery, going up to 525mAh.
