Summary
- The Nintendo Switch 2 may support microSD Express cards, according to newly leaked GameStop SKUs.
- The microSD Express standard offers over 900% faster transfer speeds compared to the UHS-I interface supported by the current Switch.
- microSD Express cards can also reach up to 128TB in capacity, a significant leap from the UHS-I's 2TB limit.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to support microSD Express cards, as suggested by several leaked SKUs believed to be for its accessories. This indicates a significant upgrade in storage technology compared to its predecessor.
Rumors suggest that the Switch 2 entered mass production in late 2024, possibly as early as late September. This is supported by a surge of hardware leaks that began in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Early January 2025 saw the leak of several GameStop SKUs for unannounced Switch 2 accessories. These SKUs, shared by Reddit user Opposite-Chemistry96, mention three "Switch 2 Exp Micro SD Card" products, ranging from 256GB to 512GB. These are likely to be microSD Express cards, which are far more advanced than the UHS-I cards used by the original Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2 May Offer 900% Faster microSD Transfer Speeds
The current Nintendo Switch uses UHS-I microSD cards, which have a theoretical maximum transfer speed of about 104 MB per second, with top products reaching around 95 MB/s in practice. In contrast, microSD Express cards can achieve transfer speeds up to 985 MB/s, a 900% improvement. This boost is due to the use of the NVMe protocol, similar to that used in the fastest modern SSDs.
UHS-I vs microSD Express Standard
| Specification | UHS-I | microSD Express |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Speed | ~95 MB/s | ~985 MB/s |
| Max Capacity | 2TB | 128TB |
A significant advantage of microSD Express cards over UHS-I is their maximum capacity. While UHS-I tops out at 2TB, microSD Express can support up to 128TB, a 6,300% increase. According to GameStop's inventory system, shared by Opposite-Chemistry96, the 256GB Switch 2 cards are priced at $49.99, and the 512GB card at $84.99.
Opposite-Chemistry96 also found SKUs for a Switch 2 carrying case and two "deluxe" cases, priced at $19.99 and $29.99, respectively. These appear to be unofficial Switch 2 accessories, consistent with the leaks that have been circulating for months. Nintendo has promised to officially unveil its next console before the end of its fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2025, leaving just over two months for the announcement.
