[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Nintendo is confirmed to be preparing a new Switch 2 model that lets users replace the battery themselves to meet the European Union's new battery regulation. Once the rules take effect, handheld game consoles will also need batteries that can be removed and replaced relatively easily, and changes are expected in the Switch 2 hardware design.

On June 4, local time, IT outlet The Verge reported that Nintendo recently said on its website that it is preparing product versions to comply with EU regulations.

The EU plans to implement new battery rules from Feb. 18, 2027. The rules require that consumers be able to replace batteries without specialist tools in electronic devices that use batteries, including smartphones, tablets and handheld game consoles. As a result, Nintendo is reported to be preparing a regulation-compliant Switch 2 model for sale in the European market.

The Switch 2 currently on sale is structured in a way that does not make battery replacement easy. Teardown requires several steps, and it has been assessed as difficult for ordinary users to replace the battery themselves.

Nintendo did not disclose specifics on how it will implement a replaceable-battery structure in the new model. The industry is discussing the possibility of changes to the rear-panel separation structure or improvements to the way the battery is fixed in place.

The product identification method will also change. Nintendo explained that, for product lines that use model numbers starting with "BEE", it will assign a separate new model number to regulation-compliant versions. It also said an additional identification code, "OSM", will be shown on product packaging to distinguish it from existing models.

The change could also expand beyond the Switch 2 console to peripherals. The Switch 2 Pro Controller and Joy-Con also use the same BEE-series model-number system. Nintendo has not said whether it will apply a replaceable-battery design to peripherals.

The industry is viewing this case as a representative example of EU regulation directly affecting global hardware design.

In Europe, policies encouraging product designs that let consumers replace batteries themselves have recently been expanding. As a result, smartphone and tablet makers are also reported to be considering structural changes in future products. Nintendo is also understood to be making some modifications to the Switch 2 design in line with this trend.

Nintendo has not commented on whether a Switch 2 with a replaceable battery will be released outside Europe.

As a result, key points to watch are what design changes Nintendo will apply by product line, including the console and controllers, and whether it will run the EU and global markets on the same hardware.