What is a microSD Express Card, and should I use it in my gaming handheld?

A microSD Express card is essentially a new version of the standard microSD card, keeping its familiar shape and dimensions.

MicroSD Express outperforms regular microSD cards significantly due to its ultra-fast data transfer rates, making it an excellent choice for high-demand activities like gaming or moving large files on a computer. This speed boost is achieved through the use of PCIe and NVMe interfaces for data transfer.

The tradeoff here is that microSD Express tends to cost more than traditional microSD.

As a tech enthusiast, I can confidently say that MicroSD Express delivers swifter data transfers compared to standard microSD cards. Essentially, MicroSD Express provides improved performance over traditional microSD options.

Regardless, a conventional microSD card may meet your requirements based on its intended purpose and the device for which it’s designed.

But if you want faster transfer speeds, you might wan to go with MicroSD Express.

Whether or not an additional storage solution is needed depends on the specific handheld game console. For instance, when expanding its storage capacity, the hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2 would necessitate the use of microSD Express Cards.

Conversely, devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw 8 AI+, and the original Nintendo Switch are compatible with older microSD cards.

2019 saw the debut of the pioneering microSD Express Cards. Just as is typical with emerging technologies, it took some time for these cards to gain broader acceptance in mainstream use.