Nintendo Switch 2’s Adoption of MicroSD Express Could Impact Your Budget: Here’s How

When the Nintendo Switch 2 was unveiled, we got a glimpse into its new technical features, particularly the move to a new MicroSD standard called MicroSD Express. This change might be a bit hard on your budget. If current pricing trends continue, you could be paying more per gigabyte than you do for many current SSDs. For example, while SSDs are available for 5 to 6 cents per GB, MicroSD Express cards can range from 20 to 25 cents per GB. This higher cost stems from built-in NVMe and PCIe 3.0 support, similar to what you’d find in sophisticated M.2 SSDs.

Sandisk is offering these new cards starting at $49.99 for 128GB and $64.99 for 256GB. These cards are not just about storage; they promise speeds up to 880 MB/s for reading and 480 MB/s for writing, with sustained writes hitting 100 MB/s.

On the flip side, Lexar has added heftier storage options, going up to 1TB. But don’t sigh in relief just yet—those prices are pretty steep.

If you’re eyeing Lexar’s Play Pro 1TB MicroSD Express card, be prepared to spend $199.99. Their 512GB model costs $99.99, and the 256GB option is $49.99. Lexar claims their cards can reach up to 900 MB/s read speed and 600 MB/s for writing.

When comparing prices, Sandisk’s 128GB card is priced at $0.39 per gigabyte, while the 256GB is at $0.25 per gigabyte. Lexar offers a more consistent $0.20 per gigabyte across their lineup, potentially making them a better choice if you’re seeking top-tier specs at a relative discount.

Now, let’s delve into why this storage upgrade is crucial for the Switch 2. The console comes with 256GB of built-in storage, but there’s a twist. Even physical games might require installation onto the system, turning those cartridges into what Nintendo is calling “Game-Key Cards.” So, when you buy something like Street Fighter 6, be ready to download an extra 50GB of data. This could mean that the standard storage fills up quickly, making extra expensive MicroSD cards almost essential to keep your gaming experience seamless, unless you want to juggle downloads and storage space forever.

Here’s the scoop on the Switch 2’s new MicroSD Express standard. It’s a significant leap from the UHS-I standard of the Nintendo Switch, though at first glance, you might not notice a difference. However, it’s worth noting that MicroSD Express cards support faster speeds due to more pins—16 or 17 compared to the mere eight on older cards—and harness NVMe and PCIe 3.0 tech that supports speeds up to an impressive 2GB/s on an interface up to PCIe 4.0.

However, we don’t have full details on whether the Switch 2 can utilize these top speeds. For the time being, announced MicroSD Express cards haven’t reached their theoretical peak outputs. As Joey Lopez from Lexar put it, the new cards are set to lift portable gaming to fresh heights.

There’s a notable gap between the best UHS-I cards and theoretical MicroSD Express speeds. Currently, Lexar’s Play Pro MicroSDXC Express card holds the speed crown, but we’ll need to wait for the Switch 2’s release to truly see its capabilities. Luckily, you can keep up to date with more hands-on experiences of the Nintendo Switch 2 as we get closer to launch.