Look, I’ve been covering gaming hardware deals for long enough to know when something’s actually worth your attention versus when it’s just marketing noise. And right now? The timing on these microSD Express cards is almost suspiciously perfect. Just as we’re all gearing up for the Switch 2 announcement – which, let’s be honest, is probably coming any day now – these storage cards have dropped to prices that make me wonder if retailers know something we don’t.

SanDisk’s 256GB microSD Express card is currently sitting at $29.99. That’s a record low, and kind of wild when you consider these things were pushing $60 not that long ago. The 512GB model? Down to $64.99. Again, lowest we’ve seen. Now, you might be thinking, “It’s just Black Friday doing its thing,” and sure, that’s part of it. But here’s where it gets interesting.

These aren’t your standard microSD cards. We’re talking about microSD Express – the new format that Nintendo’s basically confirmed (through that whole FCC filing thing) will be compatible with the Switch 2. Which means if you buy one now, you’re not just getting a deal. You’re future-proofing.

Why microSD Express Actually Matters This Time

Okay, so every generation of storage tech promises to be revolutionary, right? Faster speeds, better this, improved that. Usually it’s incremental at best. But microSD Express is different, and I say that as someone who’s generally pretty skeptical about storage hype.

The jump in speed is genuinely significant. We’re talking about theoretical transfer rates up to 985 MB/s – nearly double what the current fastest UHS-II cards can manage. For context, the original Switch maxed out at UHS-I speeds, which cap around 104 MB/s. That’s almost a 10x improvement on paper.

Will you actually see those speeds in real-world use? Probably not the full theoretical maximum, because that’s never how it works. But even hitting half that would be a massive upgrade from what Switch owners are dealing with now. Load times on games running from the SD card could drop dramatically. We’re potentially looking at performance that’s actually comparable to the internal storage, which would be a first for Nintendo handhelds.

The Switch 2 Connection

Here’s what we know from the leaks and regulatory filings – the Switch 2 will support microSD Express. Nintendo wouldn’t bother adding that support unless they planned to actually use it. The company’s not exactly known for including features just for fun.

And think about what that means for game sizes. Current Switch games can get pretty chunky (looking at you, NBA 2K), but they’re still relatively small compared to PS5 or Xbox Series X titles. The Switch 2, with its rumored upgraded specs, will almost certainly have bigger games. You’re going to need the space, and you’re definitely going to want the speed.

Breaking Down the Current Deals

Let’s get specific about what’s actually on sale, because not all microSD Express cards are created equal (even if they technically meet the same spec).

The SanDisk Lineup

SanDisk’s basically owned the Switch storage market since day one, so it makes sense they’re leading the charge here too. Their microSD Express cards are the ones seeing the biggest discounts right now:

• 256GB model at $29.99: This is probably the sweet spot for most people. It’s enough space for a decent library without breaking the bank, and at this price it’s honestly kind of a no-brainer
• 512GB at $64.99: If you’re the type who keeps everything installed (guilty), this is where you want to be. Works out to about 12 cents per gigabyte, which is wild for cutting-edge storage tech
• 1TB version: Okay, this one’s still pricey at $149.99, but that’s actually down from like $200+ just a few months ago. Only worth it if you’re absolutely committed to going all-digital

The real question is whether these prices will stick around after Black Friday. Based on historical trends? Probably not. Storage deals tend to spike during major sales events and then creep back up. I’d be shocked if these were still at these prices come January.

What About Other Brands?

SanDisk isn’t the only game in town, but they’re definitely the most reliable option for Nintendo hardware. I’ve seen too many horror stories about off-brand cards corrupting save data or just straight-up dying after a few months. Samsung makes solid microSD Express cards too, but they’re not seeing the same level of discounts right now.

Here’s my take: stick with SanDisk for Switch storage. Yes, you might save $5-10 going with a lesser-known brand, but is it worth the risk of losing your 100+ hour save file in Tears of the Kingdom? (It’s not. Trust me on this.)

The Timing Question Everyone’s Asking

Should you buy now or wait for the actual Switch 2 announcement? It’s a fair question, and honestly, there’s no perfect answer. But let me walk you through the scenarios.

If you wait, you might – might – see slightly better deals when the Switch 2 actually launches. Retailers sometimes bundle storage with new console releases. But you’re also gambling that these specific cards will still be this cheap, and that’s far from guaranteed. Storage prices fluctuate based on manufacturing costs, demand, all sorts of factors we can’t predict.

On the flip side, buying now locks in a known-good price on hardware that’s definitely going to be compatible. Worst case scenario? You have a really fast microSD card that also works perfectly fine in your current Switch, your camera, your Steam Deck, whatever. These aren’t single-purpose devices.

The Real-World Math

Let’s say you grab the 256GB card now at $29.99. The Switch 2 launches in, what, March or April probably? That card’s sitting in your drawer for maybe four months. If prices go up $10-15 in that time (which is totally possible), you’ve already won. If they stay the same or drop another $5, you’re out basically the cost of a fancy coffee.

The risk-reward ratio seems pretty skewed in favor of buying now, at least from where I’m sitting. But again, that’s coming from someone who’s watched storage prices bounce around for years and developed trust issues.

What This Means for Your Gaming Setup

Okay, stepping back from the deal-hunting for a second – let’s talk about what this actually does for your gaming experience. Because faster storage isn’t just about bragging rights or benchmark scores.

Game installs will be quicker. Updates won’t take forever. Most importantly, load times drop significantly. If you’ve ever sat there waiting for a game to load from SD card on your Switch while your friend with the cartridge version is already playing, you know how frustrating that can be. The speed difference between UHS-I and microSD Express should basically eliminate that gap.

“The jump to microSD Express feels like the kind of quality-of-life upgrade that Nintendo doesn’t always prioritize, which makes it even more notable that they’re including support in the Switch 2.”

There’s also the longevity factor. Better cards generally last longer, handle more write cycles, that sort of thing. You’re not just buying storage – you’re buying storage that should still be working fine years down the line when we’re all talking about the Switch 3 or whatever comes next.

The Bottom Line (And Why I Already Bought One)

Full disclosure: I picked up the 512GB card last week when I saw the price drop. Even if the Switch 2 gets delayed or something weird happens, I’ll use it. The value proposition at these prices is just too strong to pass up.

Are these deals absolutely guaranteed to disappear after Black Friday? No, nothing’s guaranteed. But the historical pattern is pretty clear – premium storage tech doesn’t stay this cheap for long. The combination of new format adoption, holiday sales, and competitive pricing has created a window that probably won’t last.

If you’re planning to grab a Switch 2 whenever it launches (and let’s be real, you probably are), grabbing one of these cards now seems like an easy call. Even the 256GB option gives you plenty of room to grow, and at $30 it’s basically an impulse purchase. The peace of mind knowing you’ve got fast, reliable storage ready to go when the console drops? That’s worth something too.

Plus, and this is maybe the most important point – once everyone else figures out these are the cards you need for the Switch 2, demand’s going to spike. Supply and demand being what it is, that means prices go up. Getting ahead of that curve isn’t just smart, it’s basically the whole point of jumping on deals like this.