Why the MicroSD Express Support on Nintendo Switch 2 Could Impact Your Budget

When Nintendo lifted the curtain on its latest console, the Nintendo Switch 2, the gaming community was abuzz with excitement and curiosity. Among the key tidbits was a change in memory cards from what we’re used to. The Switch 2 will use the new MicroSD Express standard, and if you’re looking at current prices, you might want to hold onto your wallet. Per gigabyte, these state-of-the-art cards can be more expensive than some SSDs—running anywhere from 20 to 25 cents. In contrast, a budget-friendly SSD might only set you back 5 to 6 cents per GB. This premium pricing is largely because these MicroSD Express cards integrate NVMe and PCIe 3.0, the same tech supporting zippier M.2 SSDs.

Sandisk is offering a 128GB MicroSD Express card with a $49.99 price tag, while their 256GB version is priced at $64.99. These cards boast impressive speeds of up to 880 MB/s for reading, 480 MB/s for writing, and a sustained write speed of 100 MB/s.

Meanwhile, Lexar is ready to up the ante with larger capacities, reaching up to 1TB. Brace yourself though—the prices are steep, as expected with this new tech.

Lexar’s Play Pro MicroSD Express cards aren’t shy about splurging: $199.99 for the 1TB, $99.99 for the 512 GB, and $49.99 for the 256 GB. They promise speeds nearing 900 MB/s for reading and 600 MB/s for writing.

Comparing the cost, Sandisk’s 128GB card goes for $0.39 per GB, whereas their 256GB model is more reasonable at $0.25 per GB. Lexar, however, offers each of their storage options at $0.20 per GB, boasting better specs for a more favorable price.

We’ve gathered that the Switch 2 will ship with 256GB built-in, which seems decent until you delve deeper. Some of the upcoming games won’t function straight from the cartridge. Essentially, you’ll need to download almost the entire game onto your console, with the cartridge acting more like a proof of purchase—Nintendo calls these “Game-Key Cards.” This is likely a strategic move by game companies to trim cartridge production costs, especially with predictions of NAND storage prices going up soon.

Imagine buying the Street Fighter 6 cartridge and being prompted to download an additional 50GB onto your system. That factory-set 256GB could quickly feel cramped. Suddenly, that attractive new console seems a tad costlier since you’ll probably need one of these pricey MicroSD cards, unless you fancy constantly juggling game data.

Let’s break down these MicroSD Express cards a bit more. Both standard MicroSD and the newer Express versions might look quite alike, risking inevitable mix-ups for consumers. However, underneath, MicroSD Express is a big leap from what the original Switch used (UHS-I).

The SD Association categorizes MicroSD Express into four distinct speed classes: Class 150, Class 300, Class 450, and Class 600. These numbers indicate minimum read/write speed in MB/s. But beyond the notable speed boost, Express cards have more pins—16 or 17 versus the eight found on older cards.

Backing these advancements are the NVMe and PCIe 3.0 interfaces. This technological backbone can theoretically whisk data at speeds up to 2GB/s using PCIe 4.0, though it’s still unclear if the Switch 2 will tap into that full potential. No MicroSD Express announcement has hit such dizzying heights just yet.

Lexar’s brand director, Joey Lopez, expressed enthusiasm over what MicroSD Express brings to the table in a press release, “This new standard enables unparalleled performance for a card its size… preparing gamers for the next era of handheld gaming.”

There’s a wide performance gap between the top-of-the-line UHS-I MicroSD Cards and their ambitious Express successors. Lexar’s Play Pro MicroSDXC Express card might be leading the charge, but true potential will only be realized once these cards—and the Switch 2, of course—are out in the wild for real-world testing. For now, why not check out a hands-on experience with the Nintendo Switch 2 to whet your appetite?