Here’s Why the Nintendo Switch 2’s Support for MicroSD Express Could Impact Your Wallet

After the big splash of the Nintendo Switch 2’s debut, several intriguing technical tidbits about the new console have come to light. One crucial detail that stands out is its shift to a new MicroSD standard, the MicroSD Express. But brace yourself – this upgrade could hit your wallet hard. Currently, these cards are more expensive per gigabyte than most SSDs out there. While you can pick up budget SSDs at about 5 to 6 cents per gigabyte, MicroSD Express cards are soaring in the range of 20 to 25 cents. This bump in cost is partly thanks to advanced features like NVMe and PCIe 3.0, similar to those on M.2 SSDs, being integrated into the MicroSD Express cards.

Taking a closer look at Sandisk’s offerings, the MicroSD Express cards are priced at $49.99 for 128GB and $64.99 for 256GB. They promise impressive speeds with up to 880 MB/s read, 480 MB/s write, and 100 MB/s sustained write.

Lexar has thrown its hat in the ring with even bigger capacities, running up to a whopping 1TB. But, be prepared for a steep cost with this new tech, as expected with cutting-edge advancements.

Lexar’s Play Pro 1TB MicroSD Express card is priced at a hefty $199.99. Meanwhile, the 512GB model goes for $99.99, and the 256GB option is $49.99. Lexar claims these cards can reach speeds up to 900 MB/s read and 600 MB/s write.

When comparing costs, Sandisk’s 128GB and 256GB cards are $0.39 and $0.25 per gigabyte, respectively. Lexar, however, appears to offer a more consistent value across all sizes at $0.20 per gigabyte and boasts higher-end specifications.

### Why Storage Matters More Than Ever for the Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 will come with 256GB of internal storage, but there’s a catch. Buying a physical game doesn’t automatically mean you can play it just by popping in the cartridge. Some games need to be fully downloaded and installed on the system, with the cartridge merely acting as a kind of “Game-Key Card.” This seems to be a tactic by companies to reduce cartridge costs, especially with NAND storage prices on the rise.

Take, for instance, purchasing a physical copy of Street Fighter 6, which requires an extra 50GB installation onto your system. This means the standard 256GB will fill up quickly, pushing users to either invest in pricey new MicroSD cards or endure the hassle of deleting and redownloading games every time they switch out cartridges.

### The New World of MicroSD Express for the Switch 2

It’s tricky to tell at a glance which is a regular MicroSD card and which is a MicroSD Express card, which might lead to some confusion for customers. However, under the hood, there’s a massive leap from the older UHS-I standard used in the original Nintendo Switch.

The SD Association categorizes MicroSD Express into four classes: Class 150, Class 300, Class 450, and Class 600. These numbers indicate the card’s minimum read/write speeds in MB/s. Compared to the older models, MicroSD Express cards are loaded with many more contact pins, boasting either 16 or 17, as opposed to just eight.

The backbone of this tech is the NVMe and PCIe 3.0 interfaces, allowing potential speeds up to 2GB/s with a PCIe 4.0 interface. More about the tech’s intricate details can be found on sites like AnandTech.

Although we’re still in the dark about whether the Switch 2 can hit these lofty speeds, as no current MicroSD Express cards max out those capabilities just yet.

Joey Lopez, Director of Brand Marketing at Lexar, stated in a press release, “The new microSD Express standard lets us provide performance in this format like never before. We’re thrilled to offer a product that prepares gamers for what’s next in handheld gaming.”

While the gap between the quickest UHS-I MicroSD Card and the fastest potential MicroSD Express card might seem vast, the real testing begins once we have both the Switch 2 and these MicroSD Express cards to try out firsthand. Meanwhile, check out our hands-on experience with the Nintendo Switch 2.