The new Nintendo Switch 2 with replaceable battery hit European stores this fall and yes, the truth is that changing the battery or accessing it when you need it is pretty easy. In fact, the company has published an official guide that shows us how to do it in a few simple steps. The only thing you need is a screwdriver.
by European regulations. The original Switch 2 was built like most modern consoles and devices, where the battery is fixed and there’s no obvious way to swap it out. The new amendment changes to cover health with European regulations, in particular Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.
This measure requires that portable batteries built into certain devices can be removed and replaced by the end user during the product’s useful life, subject to certain exceptions and conditions. That way, when the battery starts to wear out, owners can replace it themselves.
Details. So now Switch 2 has two variants. The BEE-001 (-01) model is the one that has a replaceable battery, while the BEE-001 model does not. If you have one at home and you want to know which console has a replaceable battery, the best thing you can do is take a look at the barcode that appears on the back of the console, right when you lift the pin: if it starts with HA, it’s the original, and if it’s HL, with a replaceable battery.
How to replace the battery. According to Nintendo’s own guide, all we have to do is completely shut down the console, remove the cable, card, Joy-Con and screws. There are nine screws in total: five on the back cover and four on the magnetic connectors. All nine are black and 3.0 mm long. Two of the nine screws are located behind the bracket, making them easy to miss.
Once you have removed all the screws, lift the back cover leaving the cartridge flap open. And when you remove the cover, lift the battery by the small tab on the top right and slide it out Put in new batteries, check everything and we’re off.
The difference. The new console weighs 409 grams, compared to 400 grams for the original. In addition, it is 1% smaller in the console to fit the chassis, so that it affects (minimal) autonomy.
Interestingly, according to content creator Austin Evans’ breakdown, the new fan seems to be a bit quieter.
Replacement kit. Nintendo has promised a replacement kit to make things easier for us and says it will be sold through its store “in the future,” with no date or price yet. There’s not much mystery to the kit, as it includes batteries and a Philips PH00 screwdriver.
Cover image Nintendo
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