Leaked GameStop SKUs Suggest Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Support
Recent leaks suggest the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will support microSD Express cards, a significant upgrade from its predecessor's UHS-I support. This implies substantial improvements in storage technology.
The rumor mill points to the Switch 2 entering mass production in late 2024, possibly as early as September, fueled by a surge of hardware leaks throughout Q4 2024. Adding to this, GameStop SKUs surfaced in early January 2025, revealing "Switch 2 Exp Micro SD Card" listings with 256GB and 512GB capacities. This strongly indicates microSD Express compatibility.
A Quantum Leap in Transfer Speeds
The current Switch utilizes UHS-I microSD cards, offering practical transfer speeds around 95 MB/s. In contrast, microSD Express, leveraging the NVMe protocol, boasts speeds nearing 985 MB/s—a remarkable 900% increase. This parallel data transfer method mirrors the technology found in high-speed SSDs.
Capacity Comparison: UHS-I vs. microSD Express
Feature | UHS-I | microSD Express |
---|---|---|
Transfer Speed | ~95 MB/s | ~985 MB/s |
Max Capacity | 2TB | 128TB |
microSD Express cards also offer a massive capacity advantage, supporting up to 128TB compared to UHS-I's 2TB limit—a 6,300% improvement. The leaked GameStop pricing suggests a 256GB card at $49.99 and a 512GB card at $84.99.
The leak also includes SKUs for a standard Switch 2 carrying case ($19.99) and two "deluxe" cases ($29.99). While these are likely unofficial accessories, their presence further supports the ongoing speculation.
Nintendo has committed to an official Switch 2 reveal before the end of its fiscal year (March 31, 2025), leaving just over two months for the announcement.