Nintendo Switch 2 Adopts microSD Express Cards: Speed Boost at a Cost
By Kevin Mitchell
April 8, 2025
Update: With the opening of pre-orders in the UK, Amazon UK now has Nintendo-branded microSD Express cards available for pre-order. One can assume similar options will appear for the US once pre-orders go live.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been announced, and one of the most talked-about features is its use of microSD Express cards for expanded storage. This is a big shift from the original Switch and Switch OLED models, which used standard microSD cards for memory expansion.
What makes microSD Express cards stand out is their significantly faster data reading speeds compared to previous generations of microSD cards. This means that loading games and accessing data should be quicker and more seamless. But there’s a catch: the price.
Currently, microSD Express cards are quite limited on the market, and those that are available come with a hefty price tag. For example, a 256 GB standard microSD card might cost around $20, while a similar capacity microSD Express card can go for upwards of $70. This gap will shrink over time as the technology becomes more common, but for now, it’s something to consider if you’re planning to expand your Switch 2’s storage. Right now, the one I personally recommend, and already purchased, comes from SanDisk and can be snagged for roughly $60 right now on Amazon: SanDisk 256GB microSD Express microSD Card.
Another important point to note is that the Switch 2 will exclusively support these new Express cards, unlike the PS5 and Xbox Series X, which allow users to plug in a cheaper USB drive to store and play older generation games. That means you’ll need to invest in the faster cards even if you just want extra space for original Switch titles.
According to Nintendo’s official press release, the Switch 2 comes with 256 GB of internal storage right out of the box. That’s a substantial increase from the original Switch’s 32 GB, but considering the growing file sizes of modern games, many players will likely still look to expand that space sooner rather than later.
The Switch 2’s use of microSD Express cards is both a blessing and a potential headache. The improved speed is great for gameplay, but the higher cost and lack of alternative storage solutions might make some gamers hesitate. As the market catches up and prices (hopefully) come down, it will be interesting to see how players adapt to this new standard.
