Video: First look at Europe’s new Nintendo Switch 2 model with user-replaceable battery with comparison and teardown
Posted on September 5, 2026 by Brian(@NE_Brian)
in Switch 2, Videos
We have a first look at the new Nintendo Switch 2 model that just released in Europe, which allows users to easily replace the console’s battery. This comes courtesy of YouTuber Nintendúo.
Up until now, it wasn’t very easy to replace Nintendo Switch 2’s battery if that was something you wanted to do. But with new battery regulations coming to Europe starting early next year, Nintendo made this change with the console as well as its controllers.
At first glance, the packaging is pretty much identical between the new model and the original release. However, there’s a new “OSM” code on the updated packaging. Also, the new model starts with “HLE” for its serial code compared to the original’s “HAE”.
The console itself has “HLE” as well. Also, if you look in the spot where you attach the Joy-Con 2, the new version should have screws.
Looking at more differences between the two, the original Nintendo Switch 2 weighs about 400 grams by itself and roughly 534 grams with the Joy-Con 2. To compare, the user-replaceable battery model is approximately 410 grams alone, with the Joy-Con 2 now 2 grams heavier. So ultimately the new version is about 12 grams heavier. It’s a fairly small increase and Nintendúo said he couldn’t really tell the difference between the two.
With the new model, the battery has a smaller capacity, but we’re only talking about a percentage point here. That means it’s very similar to the original and only runs for a few minutes less if you play until it’s depleted.
When you actually take the console apart, replacing the battery is much easier than it was before. One big change is that the heat shield no longer covers the battery, and you don’t have to deal with thermal paste.
Watch the full first look at Europe’s new Nintendo Switch 2 model with user-replaceable battery below.
Teardown and Comparison
Note that in Europe, while Nintendo updated the Switch 2 model, it won’t be doing the same for the original Nintendo Switch and is retiring the console instead.
