SanDisk has introduced a new 1TB microSD Express card designed to give Nintendo Switch 2 owners a major storage upgrade, offering a high-capacity option for players who plan to build a large digital game library.
The card was shown during Gamescom and targets users who need faster and larger expandable storage for modern handheld gaming devices. With digital downloads becoming more common and game file sizes continuing to grow, a 1TB microSD Express card could be an attractive upgrade for anyone who does not want to constantly manage limited internal storage.
For Nintendo Switch 2 players, expanded storage is expected to be especially important. Large games can take up a significant amount of space, and players who prefer buying digitally may quickly run out of room. A 1TB card gives users more flexibility, allowing them to keep more games installed and ready to play without repeatedly deleting and re-downloading titles.
However, the biggest drawback is the price. SanDisk has listed the 1TB microSD Express card in Germany at nearly €500, including VAT. Pricing for the United States has not yet been confirmed. At that level, the card is a premium accessory, and for some players, it may cost as much as several full-priced games. Depending on how much storage a game requires, the effective cost of storing large titles on the card can feel surprisingly high.
The 1TB version is also not widely available for purchase yet. SanDisk currently lists the card on its official product lineup, but unlike smaller 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models, the 1TB option does not appear to be available for direct consumer ordering. At the moment, it seems retailers can submit sales inquiries, but it remains unclear when the card will become easily available to everyday buyers.
Performance is one of the main reasons this card stands out. SanDisk’s 1TB microSD Express card offers read speeds of up to 880MB/s and write speeds of up to 800MB/s. These speeds are far higher than traditional microSD cards and are better suited for next-generation handheld gaming systems that require faster data access.
The card is not limited to the Nintendo Switch 2. It is also compatible with select gaming handhelds and laptops that support the microSD Express standard, including some Asus handheld gaming devices. As more hardware makers adopt faster expandable storage standards, microSD Express cards could become increasingly important for portable gaming, compact PCs, and other high-performance mobile devices.
SanDisk is entering a market where other storage brands have already released microSD Express cards, but its 1TB model adds another major option for users looking for maximum capacity. Still, the high price and limited availability may keep it out of reach for many gamers in the short term.
For now, the SanDisk 1TB microSD Express card looks like a powerful but expensive upgrade for Nintendo Switch 2 owners and handheld gaming fans. It delivers the speed and capacity that modern portable gaming demands, but buyers may need to wait for wider availability and possibly better pricing before it becomes a practical choice for most players.
