Xbox Series S and Series X storage expansion card now available in 512GB and 2TB flavours

One of the defining features of current-generation consoles such as the Xbox Series S|X and PlayStation 5 is high-speed, SSD-based storage. However, Microsoft and Sony have approached the problem of expanding the said storage differently. Sony's solution involves some mild disassembly, while Microsoft has opted for a plug-and-play route. The former lets users choose between many aftermarket SSDs, whereas the latter is restricted to proprietary hardware. Until now, one could expand their Xbox Series S|X with only a 1TB Seagate SSD. That is set to change soon, as Microsoft has unveiled two new storage tiers.

The Seagate-branded SSD for the Xbox Series S|X is now available in 512GB and 2TB variants. The former costs US$140 and is available for pre-order now on Walmart in the United States. Microsoft states that the expansion card will hit shelves in November 2021. Its availability in other regions will be revealed later. The 2TB expansion drive for the Xbox Series S|X will cost eye-watering US$399. That's US$100 higher than the asking price of an Xbox Series S. It will be available for pre-order sometime in November and go on sale shortly after.

Microsoft tries to justify these sky-high prices by stating that both expansion cards are rated for 2.4 GB/s throughputs, identical to the internal SSD found on the Xbox Series S|X. The 512GB variant could come as a godsend for Xbox Series S owners, as the console ships with a paltry 364GB of usable internal storage. That's barely enough to install two or three modern-day AAA titles.