Nintendo has begun rolling out a revised version of the Switch 2 in Europe, with the biggest change hidden inside the console. The updated model features a user-replaceable battery, allowing owners to replace the battery themselves using Nintendo’s official procedure rather than sending the system to customer support.
The revision is being introduced ahead of European battery regulations taking effect in February 2027. Nintendo says there is no functional difference between the current Switch 2 and the revised model, meaning the changes are primarily focused on long-term maintenance.
The New Switch 2 Has a Slightly Smaller Battery
A teardown by Nintenduo provides a closer look at the revised hardware and shows how Nintendo changed the internal design to make the battery easier to access.
The new Switch 2 uses a 5,172mAh battery, compared with 5,220mAh in the original model. Nintendo lists this as approximately 1% less capacity, while battery life remains officially rated at around 2 to 6.5 hours depending on the game and usage conditions.
The revised console is also slightly heavier. Nintendo lists the new model at approximately 411g by itself, compared with around 401g for the original, while attaching the revised Joy-Con 2 controllers brings the total to approximately 548g.
The easiest ways to identify the revised European model include checking for the OSM product code on the box or an HLE serial prefix. The redesigned Joy-Con rails also expose screws that were previously hidden.
For existing Switch 2 owners, there is no reason to replace the original hardware. However, buyers getting a new console in Europe may prefer the revised model because its replaceable battery should make it easier to keep the system running for years after the original battery eventually degrades.
