Lexar has released new microSD Express cards just in time for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch on June 5. During its April 2 Direct presentation, Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards, not the regular UHS-I and UHS-II cards you may have used with the original Switch.
The new Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card fully supports Switch 2 game installs as well as screenshots and game captures, and is available now on Amazon. Currently, it's one of only two Switch 2-compatible microSD cards available right now, alongside the SanDisk microSD Express Card. The Lexar card offers better value at $50 for 256GB (compared to SanDisk's $60) and comes in a larger 1TB capacity option.
These Lexar cards are selling fast. Some storage capacities may be temporarily out of stock due to high demand.
Nintendo Switch 2's New Hardware is a Double-Edged Sword for Switch Owners
The Nintendo Switch 2 will support a new type of microSD card that is far faster than its predecessor, but this feature comes with a major catch.
Upgrade Your Switch 2 Storage With the Lexar PLAY PRO
The new Switch 2 comes with a much more robust 256GB of built-in storage, a big jump from the 32GB in the old Switch. But files for the new Switch 2 games are huge. Cyberpunk 2077 alone is expected to take up a massive 64GB, so if you’re a heavy gamer, you're going to need additional storage sooner or later. Good thing the Lexar microSD card goes up to 1TB, which should be enough even for the biggest game collections.
In terms of pricing, the Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card has an MSRP of $50 for a 256GB capacity, $100 for 512GB, and $200 for 1TB. Right now, Amazon has the 256GB model marked down to $47, while the 512GB is discounted to $90, netting you $10 in savings. The 1TB model is currently out of stock (likely due to high demand), but we expect Amazon to restock soon.
Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card Features
- Up to 900MB/s read speeds
- Up to 600MB/s write speeds
- PCI Express 3.0 and NVMe 1.3 technology
- 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities
- Backwards-compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II devices
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Lifetime access to the Lexar Recovery Tool
The PLAY PRO launches as a fantastic microSD for handheld gaming devices. The speed is the biggest draw here, offering four times the performance of the UHS-I microSD cards used in the original Switch. This is the main reason the Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards, as the performance boost helps it handle much more complex and demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Borderlands 4.
In addition to the Switch 2, the PLAY PRO is compatible with any device featuring a microSD slot, including UHS-I and UHS-II devices. You can even use it with the original Switch, though it will perform at UHS-I speeds. While Lexar is already a reliable storage brand like SanDisk and Samsung, this microSD card still comes with a limited lifetime warranty along with a data recovery tool for added peace of mind.
How to Identify a microSD Express Card
Physically, there is not much difference between microSD and microSD Express cards. In fact, you can insert a microSD Express card into a standard microSD slot. However, all microSD Express cards have an 'EX' symbol like the one highlighted in the image above. If this symbol is missing, it's likely not a microSD Express card and won't be compatible with your Switch 2.
If you have a standard microSD card that you used with your old Switch, don't throw it away yet. You can still use it in your new Switch 2 to access your saved screenshots and recorded videos. The only downside is that you won't be able to save data or open games.
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