Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Hints at Huge Storage Improvement

Summary

• Leaked GameStop SKUs suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 will support microSD Express cards.
• This offers a massive speed increase (over 900%) compared to the Switch's UHS-I interface.
• microSD Express cards also boast significantly higher maximum capacities (up to 128TB vs. 2TB for UHS-I).

Recent leaks strongly indicate the Nintendo Switch 2 will support microSD Express cards, a significant upgrade over its predecessor. This suggests substantial storage technology improvements for the upcoming console.

The Switch 2 is widely rumored to have begun mass production in late 2024, possibly as early as September. This aligns with the numerous hardware leaks circulating since Q4 2024.

Adding to this wave of leaks, several GameStop SKUs for unannounced Switch 2 accessories surfaced in early January 2025. Originally shared by Reddit user Opposite-Chemistry96, these SKUs list "Switch 2 Exp Micro SD Card" products in 256GB and 512GB capacities. This points towards the microSD Express standard, a considerable advancement over the Switch's UHS-I standard.

Nintendo Switch 2: Up to 900% Faster microSD Transfer Speeds

The original Nintendo Switch uses UHS-I microSD cards, with theoretical maximum transfer speeds around 104 MB/s, practically reaching approximately 95 MB/s. In contrast, microSD Express cards offer speeds around 985 MB/s—a substantial 900% improvement. This dramatic speed boost is due to the microSD Express standard's use of the NVMe protocol for highly parallel data transfer, similar to the fastest modern SSDs.

UHS-I vs. microSD Express Standard

Another key advantage of microSD Express is its vastly increased maximum capacity—128TB compared to UHS-I's 2TB limit (a 6300% increase). GameStop's leaked inventory data, from Opposite-Chemistry96, shows pricing of $49.99 for 256GB and $84.99 for 512GB Switch 2 microSD Express cards.

Further leaks from Opposite-Chemistry96 include SKUs for a Switch 2 carrying case ($19.99) and two "deluxe" cases ($29.99). While these are likely unofficial accessories, their appearance aligns with the ongoing pattern of Switch 2 leaks. Nintendo has committed to an official reveal before the end of its current fiscal year (March 31, 2025), leaving just a few months for the announcement.