Nintendo Switch 2 Embraces MicroSD Express for Faster Storage

Nintendo recently unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, revealing that it exclusively supports MicroSD Express cards for storage expansion. This shift may inconvenience users with existing MicroSD card collections, but the decision is grounded in performance—MicroSD Express offers significantly faster speeds.

These cards leverage an interface that delivers read/write speeds comparable to the Switch 2’s internal Universal Flash Storage (UFS). This ensures games stored on MicroSD Express cards load nearly as quickly as those on internal storage, though it means standard MicroSD cards are incompatible.

MicroSD vs. MicroSD Express

MicroSD cards have evolved through six speed classes over time. Early SD cards offered a modest 12.5MB/s, while later standards like SD High Speed reached 25MB/s and SD UHS III hit 312MB/s. The SD Express standard, introduced five years ago, marked a leap forward.

Unlike the UHS-I interface, SD Express uses PCIe 3.1, the same technology behind high-speed NVMe SSDs. This enables full-sized SD Express cards to achieve transfer speeds up to 3,940MB/s. MicroSD Express cards, while not as fast, still reach up to 985MB/s—triple the speed of the fastest non-Express MicroSD cards.

Why MicroSD Express for the Switch 2?

Nintendo rarely explains its hardware choices, but the requirement for MicroSD Express cards likely stems from their superior speed. A game on a MicroSD Express card, using the PCIe 3.1 interface, loads much faster than on a traditional UHS-I MicroSD card. This trend may soon extend to other handheld gaming PCs.

With the Switch 2’s internal storage upgraded to UFS from eMMC, aligning external storage speeds makes sense. Early demos suggest load times for games like Breath of the Wild are significantly improved—fast travel is 35% quicker, per Polygon, and initial loads are three times faster, according to Digital Foundry. These gains may stem from faster storage or the upgraded CPU and GPU, which process data more efficiently. Nintendo’s choice ensures external storage keeps pace, preventing bottlenecks for future games requiring high-speed disks.

Looking ahead, the SD 8.0 Specification supports speeds up to 3,942MB/s for full-size SD Express cards. While MicroSD Express cards aren’t there yet, future advancements could unlock even greater performance, assuming the Switch 2 supports it.

Are you planning to buy a Switch 2?

Yes, on launch day!No, I’m happy with my current setup.I’m waiting for more details on games and specs.

AnswerSee Results

MicroSD Express Storage Options

MicroSD Express cards are still gaining traction, but the Switch 2’s launch may accelerate adoption. Currently, options are limited. Lexar offers a MicroSD Express card in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities, with the 1TB model priced at $199.

Lexar Play Pro MicroSD Express

SanDisk currently offers a single 256GB MicroSD Express card, matching the Switch 2’s internal storage capacity. By the console’s launch, MicroSD Express cards above 512GB may remain scarce, but manufacturers like Samsung are likely to expand offerings soon.

SanDisk MicroSD Express 256GB