The first units of the EU-compliant Nintendo Switch 2 have reached store shelves, and initial teardowns are revealing the concrete trade-offs required to meet European regulations. As previously reported on AlexTech.ai, Nintendo had already signaled a redesign to align with the EU's Right to Repair directive and updated battery standards, which would eventually lead to the end of sales for original Switch models in Europe by 2027.
Hardware trade-offs and weight
A side-by-side analysis by the YouTube channel Nintendúo shows that the revised model is slightly heavier and less energy-dense than the launch version. The console, with Joy-Cons attached, has seen a weight increase of 14 grams. More significantly, the battery capacity has been reduced by approximately 1%, a loss of about 48 mAh.
Design changes for repairability
The most visible modifications focus on accessibility. The screws within the Joy-Con rails, previously hidden under anti-tamper or warranty stickers, are now fully exposed to facilitate disassembly. Internally, the heat shield has been redesigned; it no longer extends over the battery, allowing for a more direct replacement process. To compensate for this exposure and maintain thermal safety, the battery is now encased in a thick layer of insulation.
Identification and ecosystem updates
For consumers, the two versions are nearly identical externally. The EU-compliant model can be identified by the OSM product code and serial numbers starting with HLE in Europe.
Nintendo's strategy extends beyond the main console: Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers are receiving revisions throughout 2026, while N64 and GameCube controllers will be updated in early 2027. To support the new hardware, Nintendo plans to sell standalone replaceable batteries accompanied by a kit providing detailed instructions for user-led replacement.
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