The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 may lead the way with its replaceable battery feature.

Nintendo is gearing up to introduce a revised version of the Switch 2 in the European Union that will allow users to replace their own batteries, according to reports. The current model features a glued-in battery, but this upcoming change aims to align with new EU regulations set to take effect in February 2027, which mandate that devices must enable easy battery swaps.

The refreshed Switch 2 is expected to launch “soon,” and both the console and the Joy-Cons will come equipped with replaceable batteries. In Japan, the console’s specifications are said to remain unchanged. Nintendo has not yet responded to requests for comment.

If this updated Switch 2 is released exclusively in the EU, it wouldn’t be the first instance of a manufacturer tailoring a product for a specific region; for example, FujiFilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 features a user-replaceable NP-70S battery, but only in Europe.

However, there’s hope that Nintendo will expand this revision to a broader market. In recent years, smartphone manufacturers have increasingly embraced repairable designs, likely influenced by right-to-repair movements. As console generations extend to nearly a decade, any initiative by Nintendo or other gaming hardware producers to enhance the longevity and usability of their devices without incurring hefty repair or replacement costs would be greatly appreciated.