Nintendo Announces Switch 2 With User Replaceable Battery Launching In Europe This Autumn To Comply With Right To Repair Laws
Nintendo has clarified the launch window for its upcoming Switch 2 console variation featuring a user replaceable battery. This hardware revision is designed specifically to comply with the European Union Right to Repair directive. The regulation mandates that major consumer electronics must allow for the straightforward replacement of key internal components without requiring complete disassembly of the device casing. Nintendo has confirmed through regulatory filings that this compliant hardware configuration is scheduled to reach European retail shelves in autumn.
In order to cater for the new physical dimensions required by the addition of a removable battery bay the internal volume of the revised console will be slightly decreased. The user changeable battery pack incorporated in the European international switch 2 products has a rating of 5172 m Ah which has been slightly decreased from the 5220 m Ah system used in the standard non removable model 7.
The modular design approach is also implemented into the Joy Con controllers. Nintendo has plans to offer abattery packs that will be interchangeable with the controllers, with the release scheduled for late summer. The battery capacity of the controller will stay at 500 m Ah so there will be no effect to the play time of the peripheral with the change to a modular physical design.
Nintendo's European business will be under significant pressure from the timing of this hardware switch,over. Following the formal implementation of the regional Right to Repair EU directive early next year, Nintendo will end the distribution of any pre, compliant hardware to the European territory. This will mean the immediate removal of the original Switch machine from sale along with the end to the sale of both the Lite and OLED screen versions in Europe.
Nintendo will use the targeted autumn launch of the modular Switch 2 to phase out the current non replaceable battery and introduce the compliant system for consumers ahead of the impending legal ban. Specific retail MSRPs for the compliant console or individual spare battery packs have yet to be announced by the producer. More information is expected as the autumn launch window nears.
