The Nintendo Switch 2 system is leveling up its game: it’s adopting the new microSD Express specification for expandable memory.
This unique transition marks a major upgrade in the Nintendo Switch system’s storage technology, promising faster load times, higher capacity, improved performance, and so much more.
Let’s dive into what the microSD Express specification is, how it differs from traditional microSD cards, and why Nintendo is making the switch (no pun intended). We’ll also take highlight Lexar’s 1TB microSD Express card, which launched in April, and the advantages it brings to those using the Switch 2.
Key Takeaways:
- What Is microSD Express? microSD Express is a next-gen storage format using PCIe and NVMe interfaces to deliver dramatically faster speeds compared to traditional microSD cards.
- Benefits of microSD Express: With read speeds reaching up to 985MB/s, games load significantly faster, reducing boot-up times and ensuring smoother gameplay, especially in open-world games.
- Why Nintendo Switch 2 is Switching to microSD Express: To support larger, more demanding games, the Switch 2 needs faster, high-capacity storage for near-internal speed performance.
- Introducing Lexar’s 1TB microSD Express Card: Launched in April, Lexar’s new card offers 1TB of ultra-fast storage optimized for the Switch 2, making it an essential upgrade.
What Is a microSD Express Card (and How Is it Different from a microSD Card)?
microSD Express cards are a step up from the familiar microSD card. Engineers have designed it to deliver dramatically higher data transfer speeds, enhancing your overall gaming experience.
The key difference lies in the interface: standard microSD cards use the legacy SD interface (typically UHS-I/UHS-II bus) and top out around ~104/312MB/s speeds. microSD Express cards, on the other hand, leverage a PCI Express (PCIe) and NVMe interface for data transfer.
In other words, a microSD Express card can reach theoretical speeds up to 985MB/s — compared to roughly 104MB/s maximum for traditional UHS-I microSD media. That’s nearly an order of magnitude faster.
microSD Express cards achieve this by utilizing an extra row of electrical contacts (also known as pins) on the card. Devices built to support microSD Express cards will use these additional pins to communicate over PCIe, unlocking those blazing speeds.
But, most importantly, the form factor remains the same: a microSD Express card is physically the same size as a normal microSD.
Even better, they are backward-compatible too: if you insert a microSD Express card into an older device that only supports standard microSD cards, it will still work, just at the slower, legacy speeds (up to 104MB/s).
All in all, this means that microSD Express cards bring cutting-edge SSD-like performance to the tiny microSD form factor.
The Various Benefits of microSD Express Cards for Gaming
Moving to microSD Express cards brings more than just a spec sheet upgrade: it brings tangible benefits for gaming on devices like the Nintendo Switch 2.
Let’s talk about some of the key advantages gamers like you can expect from the microSD Express.
Faster Load Times
One of the biggest benefits of using microSD Express cards is the vastly higher read speeds. This means games and levels can load much quicker from the memory card than you’re used to.
Improved Performance & Smooth Gameplay
With more data being pulled from storage in less time, games run more smoothly thanks to microSD Express cards.
Open-world games or those with heavy textures will benefit from the faster throughput. The additional speed reduces texture pop-in and stutter that can occur if the game is streaming assets from a slow card.
With a microSD Express memory card, you won’t have to worry about buffering or negative effects on your game’s functionality. It helps prepare you to play the latest Nintendo games that offer the biggest worlds, the richest details, and the best visuals ever.
Shorter Download and Install Times
If you’ve been dying for shorter download times and quicker install speeds, microSD Express cards deliver.
When purchasing digital games, updates, or DLC, the increased write speeds — such as up to 600MB/s on the Lexar PLAY PRO microSD Express card — allow data to be written to the storage 4x faster than with traditional microSD cards, which often cap out at 90-150MB/s.
This means less waiting and more playing. Large game files that once took several minutes to install or transfer will now complete in a fraction of the time. This can be especially beneficial for gamers who frequently switch between titles, install large patches, or redownload games from their digital libraries.
Using this kind of memory card can help reduce frustrating delays and improve your overall gaming experience.
More Responsive In-Game Asset Streaming
Finally, microSD Express cards can handle streaming game data far more effectively than older cards, reducing texture pop-in and lag in open-world games.
All in all, microSD Express cards bring SSD-class speed to external game storage. It mitigates one of the bottlenecks present in the original Switch (where the internal storage was relatively fast, but game performance could be held back when running off a slow microSD).
With the Switch 2 using microSD Express cards, expanded storage will no longer mean “secondary” performance: it’ll be fast enough to keep up with the console’s demands.
Why the Nintendo Switch 2 System Is Switching to microSD Express
All of this said, it’s quite clear that microSD Express cards are the ideal choice for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Switch 2 is designed to run more advanced games than the original Switch. By utilizing microSD Express cards, Nintendo helps ensure that the games stored on the card can be accessed quickly and efficiently — no matter the size of the game.
Game sizes keep growing, and having support for the latest SD card spec is crucial.
All of these benefits work to guarantee that the Switch system’s expanded storage will be nearly as fast as internal storage, reducing reliance on limited internal memory overall.
Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card: A Game-Changer for Switch 2 Users
Now, let’s talk about the big news: Lexar launched its PLAY PRO microSDXC™ Express Card in April as essential gear for Nintendo Switch 2 owners. Here’s why it’s a standout choice:
- Massive 1TB Capacity: Store hundreds of games without worrying about running out of space.
- Blazing-Fast Read/Write Speeds: Up to 900MB/s read and 600MB/s write speeds deliver rapid load times and seamless performance.
- Optimized for Gaming: Designed specifically for handheld consoles like the Switch 2, it ensures smooth gameplay and faster transfers.
- Reliable High-Quality Storage: Built for durability with water-proof, shock-proof, and temperature-resistant features.
- Backwards-Compatible: Works with older UHS-I devices (at slower speeds), making it a flexible option for those upgrading in stages.
Lexar® PLAY PRO microSDXC™ Express Card isn’t just about holding more games—it’s about enhancing the overall gaming experience. With ultra-fast sequential write speeds, large game updates, expansions, and patches install much faster than on traditional microSD cards
A New Era of Nintendo Switch Storage
The transition to microSD Express marks a new era for Nintendo Switch system storage. It brings the portable console up to speed with the demands of modern gaming. Faster load times, smoother performance, and the ability to expand storage without compromise will define the Switch 2 experience, thanks in large part to this storage upgrade.
Nintendo’s Switch 2 ships with 256GB of built-in storage—plenty for casual users. But for those planning to expand, be warned: it requires the new microSD Express format. Legacy cards won’t work. Lexar is already stepping up with high-speed, microSD Express-compatible 1TB options built for the upgrade.
Upgrade your card today to be ready for the release of the new Nintendo Switch 2 with Lexar.
