Nintendo Quietly Updates Switch 2 to Make Battery Replacement Easier

Nintendo has released a revised Switch 2 in Europe with an easier-to-replace battery. The battery can now be removed without peeling it away or removing dozens of screws, while console performance remains nearly unchanged.

Tech blogger Austin Evans took apart the new version and found several changes related to European Union requirements. The revision can be identified by its serial number: original consoles start with “HA,” while revised units start with “HL.” The Joy-Con controllers also have new model numbers and standard Phillips screws instead of tri-wing screws.

The console’s weight increased from 400 to 409 grams, while battery capacity decreased by about 1%. Fortnite tests showed nearly identical performance and power consumption. The cooling fan has also changed and runs slightly quieter.

The biggest improvement concerns repairs. Disassembling the new Switch 2 requires removing about nine screws, compared with more than 30 on the original. The battery can now be lifted out with one finger without disconnecting a cable.

The motherboard has been revised, while the display appears to be unchanged. Evans called the changes “a real and complete step forward” and wondered why Nintendo was not rolling out the updated design worldwide.