Nintendo has released an updated revision of the Switch 2 in Europe with simplified battery replacement: the battery can now be removed without ungluing or dismantling dozens of screws, while the console’s performance remains virtually unchanged.
Tech YouTuber Austin Evans took apart the new version of the device and discovered several changes related to European Union requirements. The revision can be distinguished by its serial number: original consoles start with “HA”, while updated ones start with “HL”. Joy-Con controllers also received new model numbers and standard Phillips screws instead of tri-wing ones.
The console’s weight increased from 400 to 409 grams, while the battery capacity decreased by about 1%. Fortnite benchmarks showed virtually identical performance and power consumption. The cooling fan has changed: it runs slightly quieter.
The main improvement concerns repairability. Disassembling the new Switch 2 requires removing around nine screws, compared to more than 30 on the original version. The battery can now be removed with a single finger without disconnecting a cable.
The motherboard received a new revision, while the display appears to have remained the same. Evans called the changes “a real and complete step forward” and wondered why Nintendo is not rolling out the updated design worldwide.
