According to TechPowerUp, Samsung Electronics has launched its new P9 Express microSD card lineup specifically designed for next-generation gaming experiences and optimized for leading platforms including the Nintendo Switch 2. The cards leverage SD Express technology based on PCIe interface and NVMe protocol to deliver sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s, which is four times faster than conventional UHS-I cards. Available in 256GB and 512GB capacities with November availability, the cards feature Dynamic Thermal Guard technology and Host Memory Buffer support originally developed for SSDs, along with robust protection against water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, drops, dust, and pressure. Pricing is set at £58.59 for the 256GB model and £99.99 for the 512GB model. This strategic move positions Samsung at the forefront of next-generation storage for gaming devices.
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The Nintendo Switch 2 Connection
The explicit mention of Nintendo Switch 2 optimization is particularly significant, as this represents one of the first official storage solutions specifically marketed for the unannounced console. While Nintendo has yet to formally reveal the Switch successor, Samsung’s timing suggests the company has inside knowledge of the platform’s capabilities. The next-generation console market has increasingly struggled with storage limitations as game file sizes balloon, with many AAA titles now exceeding 100GB. If the Switch 2 indeed supports SD Express technology, it would represent a massive leap from the current Switch’s UHS-I support, potentially eliminating one of the biggest pain points for gamers who frequently download downloadable content and digital games.
Beyond Conventional Storage Limits
SD Express technology represents a fundamental shift in SD card architecture that moves beyond the limitations that have constrained portable storage for decades. By adopting the PCIe interface and NVMe protocol traditionally reserved for internal SSDs, Samsung is effectively bringing internal storage performance to removable media. The 800 MB/s sequential read speeds don’t just mean faster loading times—they enable experiences previously impossible on external storage, such as running games directly from the card without performance penalties. The inclusion of Host Memory Buffer technology is particularly innovative, as it allows the card to leverage system RAM for caching, dramatically reducing access latency that has traditionally plagued external storage solutions.
Gaming Storage Market Disruption
Samsung’s move signals a broader industry shift toward treating external storage as primary rather than secondary storage. The gaming storage market has been dominated by proprietary solutions and internal SSD upgrades, but the P9 Express could democratize high-performance storage across multiple platforms. What’s particularly strategic is Samsung’s pricing positioning—at approximately $75 for the 256GB model, they’re pricing competitively against premium UHS-II cards while offering significantly better performance. This could pressure competitors like SanDisk and Lexar to accelerate their own SD Express roadmaps. The timing is also noteworthy, as it positions Samsung to capture the early adopter market ahead of the holiday season and potential next-generation console launches.
Adoption Hurdles and Compatibility Concerns
The success of the P9 Express hinges entirely on device manufacturer adoption of SD Express readers. While the technology has been part of the SD 7.1 specification since 2018, implementation has been slow due to cost and power consumption concerns. Most current devices, including the existing Nintendo Switch, lack the necessary hardware interface, meaning early adopters may need dedicated readers or new devices to utilize the full performance. There’s also the question of whether the thermal management system can maintain peak performance during extended gaming sessions, as microSD cards have significantly less surface area for heat dissipation compared to SSDs. The industry will be watching closely to see if the promised performance holds up under real-world gaming conditions.
The Storage Performance Revolution
Looking forward, the P9 Express represents more than just a product launch—it’s a statement about the future of portable storage. As game developers increasingly design for SSD-level performance, removable storage must keep pace. Samsung’s integration of technologies like Dynamic Thermal Guard and HMB suggests they’re treating these cards not as simple storage media but as performance components. If successful, we could see a new category of performance-focused removable storage that blurs the line between internal and external solutions. The bigger question is whether console manufacturers and device makers will build the necessary infrastructure to support this performance leap, or if Samsung’s investment will remain a niche solution for the foreseeable future.
