SanDisk launches 1TB microSD Express card for Switch 2

SanDisk unexpectedly showcased a 1TB microSD Express card at Gamescom. The storage manufacturer is relatively late to the market, although it was notably absent from the list of major brands offering such a card. That may explain why the company decided against a formal announcement.

Lexar, for example, already had a card available when the Switch 2 launched. With more games being distributed digitally, expanding the console's storage is increasingly important. However, the ongoing memory shortage has pushed prices to extreme levels. SanDisk has already listed the microSD Express card for almost €500 in Germany (including 19% VAT). US prices are still pending at the time of writing. Based on the amount of storage occupied by a game such as Final Fantasy XIV, that title alone would use more than €50 worth of the card's capacity. Factoring in the storage card can therefore easily double the effective cost of large games. Games can, of course, be deleted and downloaded again as needed, although Nintendo has issued several warnings concerning this practice.

The card is not yet available to purchase. SanDisk lists it on its website, but unlike the smaller 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models, the 1TB version cannot be ordered. The only option is to submit a sales inquiry, allowing retailers to purchase the cards from SanDisk through the corresponding button. It remains unclear when or whether the card will become directly available to consumers.

The card is not limited to the Switch 2. A small number of laptops and gaming handhelds, including some Asus models, also support it. More details can be found in our article from Computex Taipei. Nvidia's RTX platform is also expected to bring support to additional devices. SanDisk's card offers maximum write speeds of 800MB/s and read speeds of 880MB/s.