Nintendo Switch 2 Getting Easier to Repair—Here's How to Spot the New Model

Nintendo is quietly making the Switch 2 easier to repair. Opening a Nintendo console has always been tricky, but the new Switch 2 model makes it much simpler. Nintendo has made changes that make the hardware easier to open, fix, and maybe even upgrade.

The main improvements involve the screws, battery, and Joy-Cons. Standard Phillips screws replace tri-wing hardware. With the original Switch models, you had to deal with tri-wing screws and sometimes remove side stickers before starting a repair. The new Switch 2 eliminates those problems.

Nintendo replaced the hard-to-find tri-wing screws with standard Phillips-head screws.

This change applies to both sides of the console and the back plate, so you no longer need a special screwdriver to open it. It's a small change, but it makes fixing your own console much easier. The battery is no longer glued down. The battery is an even bigger improvement.

Older models had batteries glued in place, which made replacement hard and sometimes risky. The new Switch 2 uses a drop-in battery compartment with press-fit metal contacts instead. This design is similar to what Nintendo did with the 3DS, so you can remove the battery without dealing with sticky glue.

If you plan to keep your console for a long time, this should make future battery changes much easier. Joy-Cons are easier to service too. Nintendo didn't just update the console. The new Joy-Cons are also easier to open and fix. That's especially useful given how common Joy-Con repairs have become.

The easier design should make repairs less frustrating for owners and repair shops alike. If you want the more repair-friendly version, check two things. First, check the model number. The new version is labeled HLE, while the original is HAE.

You can also look at the packaging.

The new model’s box clearly shows a Phillips-head screw near the console, making it easy to distinguish from the older version. The battery design could enable larger upgrades. Because the battery is easier to remove, third-party upgrades are now possible.

Some Reddit users have already swapped the standard 5,200 mAh battery for an 8,000 mAh third-party battery, with only minor changes required. When tested with games like Cyberpunk, the bigger battery added about an extra hour of playtime.

That's a big improvement for anyone who uses their Switch 2 on long trips. Could Hot-Swappable Batteries Be Next? The new battery compartment could also enable bigger upgrades later. 3D-printed backplates or battery doors could let users carry spare batteries and swap them during long journeys.

A truly hot-swappable setup isn't available yet, but the new internal design makes the idea considerably more realistic. The revised model is mostly showing up in Europe. For now, the revised Switch 2 is mostly available in Europe, where rules encourage companies to make electronics easier to repair.

Eventually, it will be available worldwide with the revised design, but buyers outside Europe may still face limited availability.

The updated Switch 2 isn't a brand-new console, but the easier-repair changes really matter. Standard Phillips screws, a removable battery, and easier-to-fix Joy-Cons solve some of the biggest headaches with fixing Nintendo devices.

If you're thinking about buying a Switch 2, look for the HLE model number and the Phillips screw on the box to make sure you get the newer version.