The Nintendo Switch 2 faces a significant storage challenge as game sizes increase and new formats like GameKey Cards and microSD Express cards complicate expansion options, leading to potential storage limitations for users over its lifespan.
Amazon is offering a two-pack of 128GB SanDisk microSD cards for $25 as part of its Big Spring Sale, exclusively for Prime members. These cards are designed for Nintendo Switch systems but are compatible with other microSD readers. With the Switch's limited 32GB storage, these cards are essential for gamers. Each card features a Mario-esque mushroom logo and comes with a lifetime warranty, boasting read/write speeds of up to 100MB/s. The sale also includes larger capacity microSD drives and other storage solutions, with a 1TB SanDisk card featuring a Zelda Triforce logo available for $95.
Samsung's latest high-performance microSD cards, developed in collaboration with an unnamed customer, have sparked speculation about a potential successor to the Nintendo Switch. With impressive speeds and sizes, these cards could address the current Switch's limited internal memory and potentially be a valuable addition to a next-gen console. Scheduled for release later this year, the cards may play a significant role in the future of gaming technology.
Samsung's latest high-performance microSD cards, developed in collaboration with an unnamed customer, have sparked speculation about a potential successor to the Nintendo Switch. With impressive speeds and sizes, these cards could address the current Switch's limited internal memory and potentially be a valuable addition to a next-gen Switch. Scheduled for release later this year, the cards could reach sizes up to 1 TB, leading to anticipation about their compatibility with future Nintendo gaming consoles.
Samsung is sampling its first microSD cards that support the SD Express standard, boasting sustained read speeds of up to 800MB per second, surpassing older SATA SSD speeds. However, slow adoption, compatibility issues, and thermal limitations have hindered the widespread use of SD Express cards. Samsung's entry into this market may help propel the format forward, but challenges remain in achieving widespread compatibility and addressing thermal concerns.
Samsung has announced the production of faster microSD cards, including a 256GB SD Express version and a 1TB UHS-1 microSD card, aimed at enabling on-device AI by allowing more data-intensive AI tasks to be performed on mobile devices. The 256GB SD Express card boasts read speeds of up to 800MB/s and features dynamic thermal guard technology to maintain optimal temperatures. The demand for on-device AI has increased, and these microSD cards could expand phone memory to support data-heavy AI applications without relying on cloud services.
A study by a German data recovery firm revealed that many cheap USB sticks contain rejected NAND chips from reputable manufacturers, with their logos removed or obscured, and some even contain microSD cards scrubbed of identifiers and fused onto a USB interface board. The report highlights the lower reliability and capacity of these devices, cautioning against using them for important data storage. The market for affordable storage has become messy, with instances of misrepresented capacities and subpar performance, emphasizing the need for caution and proper storage practices when using USB sticks.
A report from German data recovery company CBL reveals a decline in the quality of USB sticks and microSD cards, with reduced capacity and the removal of manufacturers' logos. The use of NAND chips with decreased reliability and endurance, as well as questionable components, has contributed to this decline. The report warns against relying too much on the reliability of flash memory and advises caution when choosing storage devices, especially when encountering offers that seem too good to be true.
A report from German data recovery company CBL reveals a decline in the quality of USB sticks and microSD cards, with more devices using NAND chips with reduced capacity and missing manufacturer logos. Some USB sticks are found to have microSD cards soldered onto the board, and technological advancements have led to decreased endurance and retention in these components. The report warns against relying too much on the reliability of flash memory and advises caution when choosing storage devices due to the prevalence of inferior-quality components and fake products in the market.
The article highlights the best Black Friday deals on SSDs, microSD cards, and PC storage, providing savings for tech enthusiasts looking to upgrade their devices.
Ahead of Black Friday, there are several great deals on microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. SanDisk offers discounts on various capacities, including 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, 128GB, and 64GB cards. Samsung Pro Plus cards provide faster transfer speeds, while a budget-friendly option is the Lexar 1TB microSD card. Expanding storage is recommended for both handhelds, and now is a good time to buy one.
Anker's Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro earbuds are currently on sale for $84.99, offering active noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth support, and IPX4 water resistance. Samsung's M8 Smart Monitor is on sale for $467.30 in green on Amazon, offering features like picture-in-picture, AirPlay, and HDR10 Plus. Samsung's Pro Plus microSD card is on sale for $44.99 in the 512GB configuration, providing ample space for the Nintendo Switch or other compatible devices. Other deals include discounts on Octopath Traveler II, Apple's HomePod Mini, and Sony's WF-C700N earbuds.
In celebration of World Backup Day, storage devices are on sale, including microSD cards for Switch and Steam Deck, internal drives for PS5, and external drives. The SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card is on sale for $100, down from $300, and the WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive is on sale for $280, down from $506. Other storage solutions are also on sale, and the full catalogs can be found at Amazon and Best Buy.
In honor of World Backup Day, companies are offering discounts on storage devices such as SSDs and microSD cards. Samsung's 2 TB 990 Pro model is available for $143.99 with a discount code, while WD_Black's 4 TB SN850X model is priced at $299.99 on Amazon. SanDisk's 400 GB microSD card is also on sale for $28.99. These deals provide ample storage for gaming consoles and devices, but users should note that a heatsink is required for PS5 compatibility.