When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
While microSD cards and microSD Express appear the same, their specifications and applications differ.
These cards use the SD interface and are classified based on speed.
Most consumer devices today support UHS-I cards, with read speeds up to 100MB/s.
Less common UHS-II and UHS-III cards can reach speeds of up to 300MB/s and 600MB/s, respectively.
Speed and performance
The obvious advantage of microSD Express over microSD is transfer speed.
Its interfaces enable faster write speeds, allowing for seamless recording and quicker file transfers.
Another key benefit is reduced latency, thanks to NVMe technology.
Backward compatibility concerns
One major drawback of microSD Express is its lack of full backward compatibility.
This compatibility issue is clear with the Nintendo Switch 2, which only supports microSD Express cards.
This shift has caused frustration among users who expected backward compatibility to be preserved.
Use cases and adoption
microSD Express cards are not designed for all use cases.
microSD Express shines in scenarios where high-speed data transfer is critical, with one key example being gaming.
Games are data-intensive, and faster read/write speeds reduce load times, improve performance, and make gameplay smoother.
This is likely a key reason why the Nintendo Switch 2 adopted microSD Express.
This makes microSD Express especially valuable for filmmakers and content creators.
Cost and availability
That all said, getting a microSD Express card isnt easy.
Few brands currently produce them, and availability may be limited in some regions.
Should you upgrade to microSD Express?
Whether to switch to microSD Express depends on your needs and gear compatibility.
If your gear requires it, like the Nintendo Switch 2, then upgrading is necessary.
That said, if low latency is a priority, it may still be worth considering.
Professionals working with high-speed applications, may find microSD Express to be a worthwhile investment.
A one-minute 8K video can be as large as 20GB.
That is a significant difference that could drive the adoption of microSD Express.
Still, the future of microSD Express really depends on how many gadget manufacturers choose to support it.
