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 original Switch.
- microSD Express cards can reach up to 128TB in capacity, significantly higher than the 2TB limit of UHS-I cards.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to introduce significant advancements in storage technology, as suggested by several leaked GameStop SKUs. These leaks indicate that the upcoming console will support microSD Express cards, marking a substantial leap forward from its predecessor.
Rumors suggest that the Switch 2 entered mass production towards the end of 2024, with potential availability as early as late September. This timeline is supported by a surge of hardware leaks that began circulating in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Early January 2025 saw the leak of several GameStop SKUs for what are believed to be Switch 2 accessories. Shared by Reddit user Opposite-Chemistry96, these SKUs mention "Switch 2 Exp Micro SD Card" products with capacities ranging from 256GB to 512GB. These references suggest the use of the microSD Express standard, a more advanced storage technology than that of the original Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2 May Offer 900% Faster microSD Transfer Speeds
The current Nintendo Switch supports UHS-I microSD cards, which have a theoretical maximum transfer speed of about 104 MB per second, though real-world performance typically tops out at around 95 MB/s. In contrast, the microSD Express standard can achieve transfer speeds up to 985 MB/s. This significant 900% increase is due to the microSD Express's use of the NVMe protocol, which facilitates highly parallel data transfer, similar to 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 |
In addition to superior transfer speeds, microSD Express cards boast a maximum capacity of 128TB, a 6,300% increase over the 2TB limit of UHS-I cards. According to the leaked GameStop inventory system, the 256GB Switch 2 microSD Express cards are priced at $49.99, while the 512GB version is listed at $84.99.
Opposite-Chemistry96 also discovered SKUs for a Switch 2 carrying case and two "deluxe" cases, priced at $19.99 and $29.99, respectively. These items appear to be unofficial Switch 2 accessories, aligning with the numerous leaks that have surfaced over recent months. Nintendo has announced plans to officially unveil its next console before the end of its current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2025.
