Nintendo has revised the Switch 2 for Europe. In addition to a simpler battery replacement process, it also features an improved fan.
A new law is forcing companies like Nintendo to take action in the European Union, and in the process, it’s resulting in a nearly stealthy hardware upgrade for the Switch 2.
As tech YouTuber Austin Evans reveals in a recent video, Nintendo is currently shipping a redesigned version of the Switch 2 to Europe that makes replacing the battery significantly easier.
While users of the previous 2025 model still had to remove over 30 screws and strip off stubborn adhesive, the new model complies with strict EU guidelines on repairability: The battery can now be easily clicked out of the case with just a few screws and a single motion, without any cables or adhesive.
From a Repair Marathon to a Quick Click
Inside the console, the true extent of Nintendo’s redesign becomes apparent. Until now, anyone who wanted to replace the Switch 2’s battery faced a real challenge: According to Evans, the original model required unscrewing over 30 screws before you could face the final boss—a battery that was extensively and stubbornly glued in place.
The new EU model puts an end to that: To open the case, you now only need to remove nine standard screws and a few plastic clips. The real “aha” moment, however, comes with the battery itself: Nintendo has completely eliminated adhesive and even connector cables.
Instead, the battery sits in a simple holder and can literally be pushed out and clicked back into place with just one finger.
HL instead of HA: The serial number serves as a distinguishing feature
Nintendo reportedly hasn’t changed the packaging for the new version of the Switch 2. Unlike when the first-generation Switch switched to the red box, this means there’s no way to ensure you’re buying the new variant.
According to Evans, the easiest way to identify the revised model is by its serial number: If the first two letters start with “HL,” you’re holding the new version. The original variant, on the other hand, starts with “HA.”
As is customary with Nintendo, the serial number can usually be found on the bottom of the box next to the barcode. If you spot an “HL” there, you can go ahead and buy it without hesitation.
Nintendo is also said to have made improvements to the Joy-Cons. The special Tri-Wing screws, which have plagued hobbyists since the Game Boy era, have been replaced with standard Phillips-head screws. If you want to play it safe, check the model number of the controllers as well: The new Joy-Cons are labeled BE01-01 (instead of the previous BE012).
A tiny “but” regarding the repair upgrade
With this design change, Nintendo has made a compromise—albeit a small one. Since the new click mechanism, along with its mount, takes up slightly more space inside the case, Nintendo had to reduce the capacity of the console’s battery by exactly one percent. The capacity of the Joy-Con batteries remains completely unchanged.
More on this topic: Nintendo Switch 2 OLED: All known information, leaks, and rumors so far regarding release, price, and specs
The redesign is also slightly noticeable on the scale and to the ear. Due to the additional screws and the slightly modified internal components, the EU model weighs 409 grams—exactly nine grams more than the original version.
Nintendo also took advantage of the redesign to replace the fan. According to Evans, it is now audibly quieter and more pleasant than in the previous model.
