EU Switch 2 Pro Controller battery may lose 7 hours after Nintendo makes part replaceable

To comply with EU right-to-repair regulations, several Nintendo accessories are being revised. Starting in the winter, a tweaked Switch 2 Pro Controller will start appearing at retailers in this region. However, while the peripheral will become easier to service, battery life could take a noticeable hit.

More recharging cycles required?

The June 6th announcement revealed that the redesigned Switch 2 Pro controller ships with a replaceable 897 mAh battery. That’s about 16% smaller than the component found in existing models. Its 228-gram weight is also 7 grams lighter than the current version.

Without testing, it’s unclear exactly how the change impacts battery life. The 16% reduction in capacity threatens to trim playtime from 40 hours to 33-34 hours. That said, the device could be more power-efficient, offsetting the loss.

Judging by Reddit responses, many buyers are happy to accept the compromise. 33 hours ranks highly compared to pro alternatives on other platforms, including the PS5 DualSense Edge, which lasts 6 hours or less. Also, Nintendo’s response to the EU right-to-repair initiative addresses complaints about repairability.

iFixit noted how adhesive and a complicated design prevented access to the Switch 2 Pro Controller battery. While repairs likely won’t be as simple as removing a few screws, installing a replacement part should be feasible. Additional connectors or brackets to aid gamers may explain the slight reduction in capacity.

More Europe-specific changes

Nintendo has also modified the GameCube controller for its latest handheld. By contrast, its battery is 5% larger, at the expense of added weight. Meanwhile, the Joy-Con 2's playtime should not be significantly affected. The battery for the Switch 2 console itself is 1% smaller, but the system weighs 411 grams rather than 401 grams.

It’s possible that consumers in other regions may see the revised Nintendo accessories. For now, the manufacturer has only listed specs and release dates for EU countries.