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Nintendo Switch 2 revision simplifies repairs with standard Phillips screws

NicoGG 3 comments 2 min read

Nintendo released an updated Switch 2 in Europe with standard Phillips screws and simplified battery replacement to meet repairability regulations.

Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2
CONSOLES

silently launched an updated version of the Switch 2 in Europe to comply with new repairability regulations. This is a very substantial hardware change that significantly enhances the reparability of the console without needing any special tools. If you care about the long-term viability of your device, this is something to keep in mind. The insides have now been designed to be very accessible instead of robustly sealed.

EU repairability rules drive hardware changes

This update affects both the main unit and the removable Joy-Con controllers. The units are identifiable by a new serial number prefix HL instead of the previous HA. The model numbers of the Joy-Con controllers have been updated to reflect the new generation of hardware.

  • Serial Number Prefix (New): HL
  • Serial Number Prefix (Old): HA
  • Weight (New): 409 grams
  • Weight (Old): 400 grams
  • Screw Type (New): Standard Phillips

This change from tri-wing screws to standard Phillips screws significantly reduces the complexity of taking the console apart. Instead of over 30 screws you need to remove the original version, the new version only requires about 9 screws to access the case. Replacing the battery is also easier in the new version. You can now take the battery out without needing to unglue anything or detach any cables.

The downsides of this change are relatively small. There's a slight increase in weight from 400g to 409g and a battery reduction of around 1% in capacity. Based on Fortnite benchmarks, there's essentially no difference in performance or power consumption compared to the original version. The cooling fan is also slightly less noisy on this version.

Austin Evans called this a complete overhaul for the repairability of the console. It's interesting that Nintendo hasn't started distributing this updated version in the other regions besides Europe. We've been following the Switch 2 closely. We covered the Eden-NX2 Emulator earlier for getting early support on PC.

Source: IXBT

Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2

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Discussion

3 comments

  1. Ferrite

    Finally. Tri-wing screws were a pain. Phillips is the standard for a reason.

  2. Tamsin

    Does the 9g weight increase matter for handheld mode? I feel every gram. Is it noticeable when holding it for hours? 🤔

    1. monolith77

      It is negligible. The center of gravity did not shift. You will not feel the difference.

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