The Nintendo Switch 2 is less than a year old, but there are reports that claim Nintendo is already working on a new version to be released soon.
Switch 2's New Model: What's It About?
According to Japanese publication Nikkei, a new Nintendo Switch 2 model with a removable battery is reportedly in development to comply with EU's right-to-repair legislation passed in 2023.
The regulation requires that portable batteries are easily and readily replaceable by users at any time during the device's lifetime, and the clause is set to take effect by February 2027.
What Actually Changes
At present, Nintendo Switch 2's battery replacement is not a walk in the park as based on iFixit's teardown of the current-gen console, it only received a score of three out of 10 for repairability. This is because the console is complicated to self-repair, and those who are beginners in the trade may find a hard time.
Replacing the Switch 2's battery will require users to remove various screws from the board, heating adhesives, and peel through various layers.
Should Nintendo release the new model, users would be able to replace the console's battery easier, which will reportedly only require ordinary tools. This also means that there is a lower risk to damage the console when doing self-repairs.
According to the report, Nintendo is also working on revamping the Joy-Con 2 controllers to make its battery replacement easier than its current version.
There's a Catch to This New Switch 2 Model
The new Switch 2 model is reportedly only planned for release in Europe as it is the only region which requires the easier repairability of the console's battery. Sadly, there is still no information if Nintendo will bring it to the US, Japan, or other markets.
That said, Nintendo is considering applying similar measures to other regions if their governments require the company to do so.
While the US and Japan have their own right-to-repair laws, it still does not widely affect Nintendo. In contrast, Europe will penalize them for noncompliance.
Originally published on Player One
