Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Hints at Huge Storage Improvement

Summary

• The Nintendo Switch 2 may support microSD Express cards, according to newly leaked GameStop SKUs.
• The microSD Express standard offers over 900% faster transfer speeds compared to the UHS-I interface supported by the original Switch.
• microSD Express cards can reach capacities up to 128TB, while UHS-I cards max out at 2TB.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to support microSD Express cards, as suggested by several leaked SKUs from GameStop that are believed to be for some of its accessories. This development indicates that Nintendo's next console could feature significant improvements in storage technology compared to its predecessor.

The Switch 2 is expected to enter mass production in late 2024, potentially as early as September. This timeline is supported by a surge of hardware leaks that have been circulating online since the fourth quarter of 2024.

In early January 2025, more leaks emerged from GameStop, revealing SKUs for unannounced Switch 2 accessories. These SKUs, shared by Reddit user Opposite-Chemistry96, include three "Switch 2 Exp Micro SD Card" products with capacities ranging from 256GB to 512GB. These cards are believed to utilize the microSD Express standard, which is far more advanced than the UHS-I standard used in the current Switch.

Nintendo Switch 2 May Offer 900% Faster microSD Transfer Speeds

The original Nintendo Switch supports UHS-I microSD cards, which have a theoretical maximum transfer speed of around 104 MB per second, with practical speeds typically reaching about 95 MB/s. In contrast, the microSD Express standard can achieve transfer speeds up to 985 MB/s. This substantial 900% increase in speed is due to the microSD Express's use of the non-volatile memory express (NVMe) protocol, which enables highly parallel data transfer similar to that of the fastest modern SSDs.

UHS-I vs microSD Express Standard

Another significant advantage of microSD Express cards over UHS-I cards is their maximum capacity. While UHS-I cards top out at 2TB, microSD Express cards can support up to 128TB—a 6,300% increase. According to the leaked GameStop inventory management system images shared by Opposite-Chemistry96, the 256GB Switch 2 cards are priced at $49.99, and the 512GB cards at $84.99.

Additionally, Opposite-Chemistry96 discovered SKUs for a Switch 2 carrying case and two "deluxe" cases, priced at $19.99 and $29.99, respectively. These are likely unofficial Switch 2 accessories, consistent with the types of products that have been leaking online for months. Nintendo has announced that it will officially reveal its next console before the end of its current fiscal year, which concludes on March 31, 2025, giving the company just over two months to fulfill this promise.