Speculation Hints at ‘Switch 2’ Supporting MicroSD Express Cards with Speeds Up to 880MB/s

Nintendo’s upcoming console, tentatively called the “Switch 2,” could feature support for Samsung’s new MicroSD Express cards. These cards deliver speeds up to 880MB/s, a significant leap from the current Switch’s microSD speeds of around 150MB/s. This improvement could lead to faster loading times, smoother gameplay, better support for larger game files and save a lot of energy compared to an SSD found on SteamDeck.

Samsung’s MicroSD Express technology uses PCIe and NVMe protocols, allowing speeds similar to SATA SSDs while maintaining the compact size of a microSD card. Compared to traditional UHS-1 cards, which top out at 104MB/s, this is a game-changing upgrade. SanDisk has already introduced 128GB and 256GB MicroSD Express cards — a variation of Samsung’s SD Express standard — at competitive prices. This early availability signals that the technology is ready for mainstream adoption and could soon benefit portable gaming devices like the “Switch 2.

The speculation is fueled by a Nintendo job listing for an Engineer, Electro Mechanical (NTD) with experience in “SD/SD Express” and “high-speed signaling.” This suggests Nintendo is actively exploring faster storage options for its next-gen hardware. Additionally, Samsung hinted at a “successful collaboration” with an undisclosed partner for a custom high-performance microSD product, sparking further excitement.

If the “Switch 2” embraces MicroSD Express cards, gamers could benefit from significantly reduced load times and improved performance for demanding titles. This would make large, open-world games and ports of high-end titles more viable on Nintendo’s platform. While nothing is confirmed, the potential for such a speed boost could keep Nintendo competitive in an ever-advancing gaming landscape.