When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2, they mentioned that to beef up the device’s storage, users would need cards compatible with the microSD Express standard. Following this revelation, both online platforms and physical stores witnessed a buying frenzy. It was a bit of a spectacle; in Japan, Hermitage Akihabara reported selling over 337 cards every hour according to machine-translated sources. The enthusiasm was unexpected, particularly given the premium price of these microSD Express cards compared to their regular counterparts.
## Expect to Pay Twice as Much for microSD Express
Take, for instance, the Lexar 1TB Play microSD card. Normally priced at $129.99 on Amazon, it was available for a bargain at $69.99 as I pen this. This version offers read speeds up to 160 MB/s and write speeds up to 100 MB/s, decent but a tad slower than what’s inside your device. Now, shift your gaze to its faster sibling, the microSD Express version, boasting a staggering read speed of 900 MB/s and a write speed of 600 MB/s. Impressive, right? However, this speed comes at a hefty cost — the Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express is originally priced at $199.99 on Amazon, and even discounted to $172.63, it still costs more than double the non-Express version.
## No Scalping Observed
Despite the pinch these microSD Express requirements put on wallets, they disappeared off shelves like a new bestseller after Nintendo’s announcement. Surprisingly, this isn’t due to rampant reselling. Reports suggest that about 80% of buyers picked up just one card each, with the biggest buys clocking in at three per person. So, it’s safe to say these buyers are genuine enthusiasts snapping up expansion cards ahead of the Switch 2’s release.
The microSD Express standard has lingered in the market since 2019, but its uptake was slow due to its hefty price compared to both non-Express microSD cards for portable storage and SSDs for larger capacity needs. Although many gaming consoles accommodate internal memory boosts by swapping the SSD, this isn’t as straightforward. Usually, it demands popping off the back panel and a bit of tinkering to set up the new SSD storage.
Given Nintendo’s preference to keep its console hardware untouched, the easiest way to extend the Switch 2’s storage while ensuring performance on par with internal storage is through microSD Express cards. This step could make a significant difference for the console since it’s lined up for several new AAA game releases, which could quickly max out its 256 GB internal storage. In such a way, all your favorite games will stay on hand, ready to play whenever you are.
For all the latest news, deep dives, and reviews, make sure to follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News. Hit the Follow button to keep your feed fresh.
