Testing a microSD Express card, including an overview of available media, and an explanation of SD Express and other common SD card interfaces. MicroSD Express cards are now used on the new Nintendo Switch 2, but also have applications in video making and photography.

My previous video “Explaining SD Cards: 2025 Update” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtgIHfqQiC8

The Sandisk 256GB microSD Express card tested in this video can be found on Amazon US here: https://amzn.to/4kYDxQK and on Amazon UK here: https://amzn.to/4kYDCUx

The Sandisk Pro SD Express card reader I tested is on Amazon US here: https://amzn.to/3ZU7kBV And on Amazon UK here: https://amzn.to/4mWqIYV

The PNY microSD Express card I mentioned are on Amazon US here: https://amzn.to/4kF0oRx and Amazon UK here: https://amzn.to/45SIIxg

Please note that the above are affiliate links, and that I earn a commission from all qualifying purchases.

The Lexar microSD Express cards I mentioned are described on the Lexar website here: https://americas.lexar.com/product/lexar-play-pro-microsdxc-express-card/

The Nintendo licensed SanDisk and Samsung SD Express card are here -- but all of the above will work just fine in a Nintendo Switch 2: https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-Switch-2/Nintendo-Switch-2-MicroSD-Express-cards-2785637.html 

The datasheets I mentioned in the video are available as follows:

SanDisk (non Nintendo) microSD Express card: https://documents.westerndigital.com/content/dam/doc-library/en_us/assets/public/sandisk/product/memory-cards/microsd-express/data-sheet-microsd-express.pdf

Samsung (Nintendo licensed) MicroSD Express card: https://download.semiconductor.samsung.com/resources/data-sheet/2025_Datasheet_Samsung_microSD_Express_Card_256GB_for_Nintendo_Switch_2_10149520072407.pdf

PNY microSD Express cards: https://www.pny.com/file%20library/company/support/product%20brochures/flash%20memory%20cards/pny-microsd-express-class-10-u3-v30-a1-microsd.pdf

Information on ThermAdapt, and other SanDisk SD card technologies, is here: https://shop.sandisk.com/en-gb/topics/memory-cards/sandisk-memory-card-innovation

The SD Association page I showed relating to SD 9.1 and thermal management (and also other things) is here:
https://www.sdcard.org/press/thoughtleadership/sd-9-1-specification-introduces-new-speed-classes-and-next-level-performance-features-2/

And finally, the full 9.1 SD Specification from the SD Association, which also introduced SD Express speed classes, is here: https://www.sdcard.org/pdf/SDExpressSpeedClassSD9_1Specification.pdf

More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/@ExplainingComputers

And more videos on film and other making, plus retro tech, can be found on my Christopher Barnatt channel: http://www.youtube.com/@ChristopherBarnatt

Chapters:
00:00 Titles & Intro
01:07 SD Express Cards
03:30 SD Interfaces
06:51 SD Express Reader
08:30 CrystalDiskMark
09:48 Large Copy Tests
14:31 Heat & Apps
16:19 The Express Option

#SDExpress #NintendoSwitch2 #microSD #Express #SanDisk #ExplainingComputers

Explaining Computers's resource offers insights, tutorials, and resources for technology enthusiasts and educators. Readers can learn about computer hardware, software, and technology concepts. With videos, tutorials, and educational content, Explaining Computers provides  guidance and expertise for understanding how computers work and exploring new technologies.

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SD Express brings PCIe NVMe interface to SD cards, offering significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to traditional UHS1 and UHS2 cards. Testing a 256GB SanDisk micro SD Express card showed read speeds of 899 MB/s and write speeds of 650 MB/s in benchmarks, with sustained write performance around 210 MB/s. The technology requires compatible readers with USB 3.2 Gen 2 connections and includes thermal management features to prevent overheating. While currently expensive and with limited native device support, SD Express cards can still be used in existing cameras via legacy UHS1 interface, making them valuable for applications requiring fast file transfers.

Testing MicroSD Express: Very Fast SD Storage