Nintendo Switch 2 users looking to add more storage to their consoles have a limited time to pick up a 256GB Samsung microSD Express card that would effectively double the Switch 2's gaming capacity for less than half the cost of a $70 title. Given the recent price hikes on RAM, storage, and other electronic components, the deal is all the more tempting for Switch 2 users this holiday season.
While the Switch 2 has backwards compatibility with original Switch titles, its storage expansion capabilities for games are limited. While photos can be read from a microSD card on a Switch 2 console, the newer microSD Express card format is used by Nintendo's new console as its main expandable storage format. In short, microSD Express cards from manufacturers like Samsung, PNY and SanDisk have three to four times faster data transfer speeds than standard microSD cards, with newer cards from Samsung boasting an advertised read speed of up to 800MB per second. However, given that it is a newer format, microSD Express cards are more expensive than their regular microSD counterparts, as prices for a 256GB card currently range between $45 and $60 on average at the time of writing.
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Switch 2 plans can double their storage on the cheap
While the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal system storage, that space can fill up quickly when downloading games with large file sizes. Fortunately, shoppers can now pick up the Samsung P9 Express microSD Express Card on Amazon for $32.99. The discounted microSD Express card is less than half the cost of a $70 game and is 40% off its regular price of $54.99. The P9 Express has advertised read speeds of up to 800MB per second, and can store both original Switch and Switch 2 games. The P9 Express also has a three-year manufacturer's warranty and is protected against temperatures up to 185°F. While 512GB cards from brands like PNY and SanDisk are also available on Amazon, the $32.99 price for the Samsung P9 Express means that buying three of them would still cost less than a single 512GB microSD Express card, making the Samsung P9 Express a decent holiday gift option for Switch 2 users.
Why Switch 2 users should get a microSD Express card now
As of this writing, it's currently unclear how long the Samsung P9 Express will remain available at its $32.99 price tag, so interested users may not have much time to get one. Plus, with the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade with a file size of around 100GB on Switch 2, it will easily be the biggest game in Nintendo's upcoming slate. It is therefore highly recommended to have some extra storage space for it. Additionally, having a microSD Express card benefits original Switch games stored on it via faster loading times compared to a standard microSD card.
The current buy on microSD Express cards from Samsung may not last long. Given the current soaring prices of RAM kits and other electronic components, the price of microSD cards and solid state drives (SSDs) are expected to jump over time. The price increase for RAM kits is largely due to an AI server expansion by companies like OpenAI, which has caused DDR5 RAM to jump by four to five times previous amounts during October and November. The ongoing price increases have also extended to video memory components found in graphics cards. However, it remains to be seen if the Switch 2 console risks a price increase after the 2025 shopping season.
Switch 2 has a busy 2026 ahead of it
Plus, with the Switch 2 gearing up to launch new titles throughout 2026, inclusive Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weavenew Nintendo console owners may soon find themselves in need of extra storage. Time will tell how many Switch 2 users will take advantage of Samsung's current offering.
- Stamp
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Nintendo
- Original release date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- Operating system
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Proprietary
- Resolution
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1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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Yes
