Nintendo Switch 2 users looking to add more storage to their consoles have limited time to pick up Samsung's 256GB microSD Express card, which would effectively double the Switch 2's gaming capacity for less than half the title's $70 price. With recent price increases for RAM, storage, and other electronic components, this deal is all the more enticing for Switch 2 users this holiday season.
Although the Switch 2 has backwards compatibility with original Switch titles, the storage options for games are limited. While photos can be read from the Switch 2's microSD card, 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 read speeds of up to 800MB per second. But being a newer format, microSD Express cards are more expensive than their standard microSD counterparts, with prices for a 256GB card currently averaging between $45 and $60 at the time of writing.
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Switch 2 plans can double your storage on the cheap
Although the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal system memory, that space can quickly fill up once you download games with large files. Fortunately, customers can now pick up the Samsung P9 Express microSD Express Card on Amazon for $32.99. The discount microSD Express card costs less than half the price of the game at $70 and is 40% off the regular price of $54.99. The P9 Express has an advertised read speed of up to 800MB per second and can store both original Switch and Switch 2 games. The P9 Express also comes with a three-year manufacturer's warranty and is protected against temperatures up to 185°F. Although 512GB cards from brands like PNY and SanDisk are also available on Amazon, the $32.99 price tag for the Samsung P9 Express means that buying three of them would still cost less than one 512GB microSD Express card, making the Samsung P9 Express a decent holiday gift option for Switch 2 users.
Why Transition 2 users should get a microSD Express card right now
At the time of writing, it's currently unclear how long the Samsung P9 Express will be available at the $32.99 price point, so interested users may not have much time to get their hands on one. Plus with the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade with a file size of around 100GB on Switch 2, it's easily the biggest game in Nintendo's upcoming game. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have some extra storage space for it. In addition, the microSD Express card benefits the original Switch games stored on it by loading faster compared to a standard microSD card.
However, the current bargain offer of microSD Express cards from Samsung may not last long. Due to the current skyrocketing prices of RAM kits and other electronic components, the price of microSD cards and SSD (Solid State Drive) is expected to jump over time. The increase in RAM kit prices is largely due to the expansion of AI servers by companies like OpenAI, which caused DDR5 RAM to increase four to five times during October and November compared to the previous ones. Continued price increases have also extended to the video memory components found in graphics cards. However, the question remains whether the Switch 2 console will risk a price increase after the 2025 Christmas shopping season.
Switch 2 has a busy 2026 ahead of it
Additionally, the Switch 2 is gearing up to launch new titles throughout 2026, inclusive Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weavenew owners of Nintendo consoles may soon find they need additional storage. Time will tell how many Switch 2 users will take advantage of Samsung's current offering.
- Mark
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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
