Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Hint at Vastly Expanded Memory

Leaked GameStop SKUs Suggest Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Support

Recent leaks suggest the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will support microSD Express cards, a significant upgrade from its predecessor's UHS-I support. This implies substantial improvements in storage technology.

The rumor mill points towards mass production of the Switch 2 commencing in late 2024, possibly as early as September. This aligns with a surge of online leaks detailing the console's hardware specifications since Q4 2024.

Adding to this wave of leaks, several GameStop SKUs surfaced in early January 2025, seemingly for unannounced Switch 2 accessories. These SKUs, originally posted by Reddit user Opposite-Chemistry96, list "Switch 2 Exp Micro SD Card" products in 256GB and 512GB capacities. This strongly indicates microSD Express compatibility.

A Significant Speed and Capacity Boost

The current Nintendo Switch utilizes UHS-I microSD cards, offering theoretical maximum transfer speeds around 104 MB/s (real-world speeds often peak at ~95 MB/s). In contrast, microSD Express boasts speeds approaching 985 MB/s—a nearly 900% increase. This dramatic improvement is attributed to the use of the NVMe protocol, enabling highly parallel data transfer similar to high-speed SSDs.

The capacity difference is equally impressive. UHS-I cards max out at 2TB, while microSD Express supports cards up to 128TB—a 6300% increase. GameStop's leaked inventory data suggests pricing of $49.99 for a 256GB card and $84.99 for a 512GB card.

Further Leaks and Official Announcement

Beyond the microSD cards, SKUs for a standard Switch 2 carrying case and two "deluxe" cases (priced at $19.99 and $29.99 respectively) were also discovered. While these are likely unofficial accessories, their presence further fuels speculation. Nintendo has previously stated an intention to officially unveil the Switch 2 before the end of its fiscal year (March 31, 2025), leaving a few months for an official reveal.

UHS-I vs. microSD Express Comparison