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Nintendo Switch 2 could overcome a major weakness of original Switch consoles

The Switch 2 should bring various improvements to the table over all current models. (Image source: Genki)
The Switch 2 should bring various improvements to the table over all current models. (Image source: Genki)
A new leak suggests that the Nintendo Switch 2 may launch with a considerable external storage upgrade. Joining other upgrades like a larger display and a more powerful processor, the adoption of the microSD Express standard could yield SSD-like speeds from the Switch 2's tiny microSD card reader.

The first new Switch release since the Switch OLED (curr. $349 on Amazon) is edging ever nearer to an official announcement. For reference, a new set of high-resolution renders surfaced earlier today from a typically reliable source. With a well-known accessory manufacturer having also touted accessories at CES 2025, it is now the turn of GameStop to get in on Switch 2-related leaks.

According to Redditor and alleged GameStop employee u/Opposite-Chemistry96, signs of Nintendo's long-awaited console can already be found on the retailer's internal stock list. As the screenshot below shows, the console itself is not currently listed. Instead, purpose-built microSD cards are visible, which point to a significant speed increase over all current Switch consoles.

On the basis of the image below, it would seem that the Switch 2 will support microSD Express, a standard that debuted in 2018 with the promise of up to 3,940 MB/s transfer speeds. Even the slowest version of this standard should deliver over a 9x speed increase on the Switch's peak throughput though, which tops out at 104 MB/s. These cards will be more expensive than an average high-capacity microSD card, but this could come with the benefit of faster loading times in some capacity.

(Image source: u/Opposite-Chemistry96)
(Image source: u/Opposite-Chemistry96)
(Image source: u/Opposite-Chemistry96)
(Image source: u/Opposite-Chemistry96)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 01 > Nintendo Switch 2 could overcome a major weakness of original Switch consoles
Alex Alderson, 2025-01- 9 (Update: 2025-01-10)