The European Union has set new regulations for handheld game consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck and will require them to have replaceable batteries from 2027. This will almost certainly apply to the successor to the Switch, if Nintendo goes down a similar path with its next generation of hardware and also with what Valve has in store next. Games Industry says manufacturers will have to make batteries available to consumers “using commercially available or specialized tools, and provide instructions and safety information.” Android Central also says that tablets and phones will have to have replaceable batteries by 2027.
