After Nintendo lifted the curtains on the new Switch 2, we’ve got some exciting, albeit pricy, updates on what to expect in the storage department. This next-gen console is switching gears with a new type of MicroSD card, the MicroSD Express, and it’s anything but gentle on your budget. When you look at storage cost in terms of capacity, these cards outprice many modern SSDs—falling between 20 to 25 cents per GB, compared to some SSDs that only cost a fraction, about 5 or 6 cents per GB. This steep price is due in part to the advanced NVMe and PCIe 3.0 technology packed into them, which you’d usually find in high-end SSDs.
Sandisk’s latest iteration of these cards starts at $49.99 for a modest 128GB, with the next tier offering 256GB for $64.99. Performance-wise, these cards deliver read speeds of up to 880 MB/s and write speeds at a brisk 480 MB/s, with sustained writing hitting 100 MB/s.
Lexar, another big player in the storage scene, has revealed they’re pushing the envelope further with capacities going up to a hefty 1TB. But prepare yourself for the sticker shock—these top-of-the-line cards are pretty steeply priced.
For those eyeing Lexar’s Play Pro 1TB model, prepare to shell out $199.99. Their 512GB card is priced at $99.99, whereas 256GB comes at $49.99. Lexar claims these cards can hit blazing fast read speeds of up to 900 MB/s and write at 600 MB/s.
Comparing costs per gigabyte, Sandisk comes in at $0.39 for their 128GB card and $0.25 for the 256GB model. In contrast, Lexar’s model seems a bargain, setting all three sizes at a consistent $0.20 per gigabyte, complete with what seems to be superior specifications.
The importance of having ample storage is growing for all Switch 2 owners. Although the console comes with 256GB of built-in storage, you might face some hurdles. Even physical game buyers won’t escape downloads because many titles require full installation into the system memory, with the cartridge acting merely as a form of verification, dubbed “Game-Key Card” by Nintendo. This setup might emerge from efforts by companies to cut down cartridge costs, with NAND storage prices on the rise.
Take, for instance, a game like Street Fighter 6. Even if you buy the cartridge, you’ll still need to install another whopping 50GB onto the console. As a result, that initial 256GB will fill up quickly, leaving you to decide between spending extra on costly MicroSD upgrades or frequently juggling installing and uninstalling games.
Now, let’s break down what makes this MicroSD Express all the buzz. At first glance, you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish them from regular MicroSD cards. Digging deeper, the technical details become clear: this is a significant leap forward from the older UHS-I standard used by the original Switch.
The SD Association has laid out speed classifications for MicroSD Express with categories like Class 150, Class 300, Class 450, and Class 600—each reflecting their respective MB/s minimum read/write speed. With far more pins than older models, these cards are built with either 16 or 17 pins compared to the previous eight-pin design.
These technical improvements, featuring NVMe and PCIe 3.0 interfaces, promise theoretical speeds up to a staggering 2GB/s when using a PCIe 4.0 interface—although real-world capability and console compatibility remain to be fully seen and tested.
Joey Lopez, Lexar’s Director of Brand Marketing, has stated that the new standard gives them the ability to offer unprecedented performance in a tiny package, preparing gamers for handheld gaming’s future. While real-world tests are pending, the Lexar Play Pro MicroSDXC Express card currently leads the charge in announced speed, though how it holds up in practice remains to be seen once the Switch 2 and these cards are released to the public. For a hands-on glance at the Nintendo Switch 2 right now, check out our latest preview.
