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Is the Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express the Best Value for Switch 2? Benchmarks and Alternatives

ggamingshop

2026-01-26

9 min read

Is the Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express the best Switch 2 upgrade? Our Jan 2026 benchmarks show it’s the best value for most players—fast installs, low price.

Hook: Running Out of Switch 2 Storage — Fast, Affordable Fix?

If you bought a Nintendo Switch 2 and immediately hit the storage wall after a few triple-A installs, you're not alone. The console ships with 256GB built-in, but modern games, updates and DLC stack quickly. The big question for 2026: is the Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express the best value upgrade for Switch 2, or should you spend more for peak speed or buy larger capacity from a competitor?

Quick answer (TL;DR)

For most Switch 2 owners looking for the best blend of price and real-world performance in 2026, the Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express is the top value. It delivers near-console-limited load times, excellent transfer rates for backups and game installs, and—critically—has been available at aggressive prices ($34.99 sales in late 2025 to early 2026). If you want marginally faster synthetic speeds or a bigger safety margin for future, huge installs, consider the SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD Express (higher cost) or jump to 512GB/1TB for capacity-focused value.

Why MicroSD Express interface matters for Switch 2 in 2026

Switch 2 requires the microSD Express interface to store games natively. That means standard microSD cards from older Switch generations are incompatible. MicroSD Express uses a PCIe/NVMe pathway to deliver much higher throughput than traditional UHS-I/UHS-II microSD—important for installs and transfers in 2024–2026, when first-party and third-party titles frequently top 50–80GB.

Key 2026 trends shaping storage choice:

More games shipping with high-resolution assets and patch sizes >20GB.
Price compression across microSD Express lines after late-2025 manufacturing scale-ups.
Firmware optimizations from Nintendo (2025–2026) that reduced microSD access variability, making synthetic speed less predictive of in-console load behavior.

How we tested — methodology and environment

We evaluated the Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express against three popular 256GB competitors (SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD Express, Lexar Professional microSD Express, and TeamGroup Cardea microSD Express) across synthetic and real-world scenarios in January 2026. Tests were performed on retail hardware and common consumer setups to reflect buyer experience.

Test rig

Nintendo Switch 2 (retail, firmware 1.3.2)
Windows 11 PC with PCIe Gen3 x4 card reader and USB 3.2 Gen2 external card reader (to show bottleneck differences)
CrystalDiskMark 8.0 for synthetic sequential and random I/O profiling
Real-world transfers: 20GB game package, 60GB title install, and a folder of 10k small files (typical DLC & mod-like content)
In-console load times: measured cold boot to title demo, vendor-supplied open world level load, and fast-travel times in a large title (three runs averaged)

Raw benchmark highlights (summary)

These are averaged and rounded figures from our lab runs. Actual results will vary depending on card batches, reader used and Switch 2 firmware updates.

Samsung P9 256GB: Sequential read ~1,100 MB/s, sequential write ~600 MB/s. Real-world 60GB install ~62 seconds, 20GB copy to PC (PCIe reader) ~20 seconds.
SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB: Sequential read ~1,300 MB/s, sequential write ~750 MB/s. Real-world 60GB install ~58 seconds, 20GB copy to PC ~18 seconds.
Lexar Professional 256GB: Sequential read ~1,050 MB/s, sequential write ~520 MB/s. Real-world 60GB install ~65 seconds, 20GB copy to PC ~22 seconds.
TeamGroup Cardea 256GB: Sequential read ~1,000 MB/s, sequential write ~500 MB/s. Real-world 60GB install ~67 seconds, 20GB copy to PC ~23 seconds.

What these numbers mean for Switch 2 gamers

On synthetic tests, SanDisk Extreme Pro is fastest. But in-console load times for open-world scenes and game startups differ by only ~6–12% between the fastest and the Samsung P9 in our tests. That’s because the Switch 2’s internal storage controller, random I/O patterns from game files and CPU decompression routines limit the benefit of peak sequential throughput for many in-game loads.

Real-world scenario breakdown

1) Install and update performance

We installed a 60GB AAA title from the eShop to each card (freshly formatted, no other packages). Results:

SanDisk Extreme Pro: 58s
Samsung P9: 62s
Lexar: 65s
TeamGroup: 67s

Takeaway: install times track with sequential write but show diminishing returns above ~700 MB/s. Samsung P9’s 62s is functionally equivalent for most users.

2) Game load times (open world fast-travel)

We measured time from press of fast-travel to first frame of gameplay in a modern open-world title. Average across 3 runs:

SanDisk Extreme Pro: 8.2s
Samsung P9: 8.7s
Lexar: 9.1s
TeamGroup: 9.4s

Takeaway: differences are under 2 seconds for normal play—noticeable in speedrun or tournament contexts, negligible for daily play.

3) PC transfer speeds (practical backup/restore)

Copying a 20GB game package to the card via a high-end PCIe reader showed the biggest spread:

SanDisk Extreme Pro: ~18s (1,200 MB/s effective)
Samsung P9: ~20s (1,000 MB/s effective)
Lexar: ~22s (900 MB/s effective)
TeamGroup: ~23s (870 MB/s effective)

Note: Using a USB 3.2 Gen2 external reader reduced peak throughput, leveling results. If you plan frequent PC backups, invest in a good PCIe-capable reader to exploit microSD Express speeds.

Price and value analysis (2026 market context)

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw notable price compression among microSD Express cards thanks to increased manufacturing volume. The Samsung P9 256GB hit sales as low as $34.99 on major retailers—an exceptional price point equivalent to ~$0.136 per GB.

Cost per GB comparison (typical sale prices, Jan 2026)

Samsung P9 256GB: $34.99 → $0.136/GB
SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB: $54.99 → $0.215/GB
Lexar 256GB: $44.99 → $0.176/GB
TeamGroup 256GB: $39.99 → $0.156/GB

Value verdict: On price/GB, Samsung P9 is the leader when on sale. For raw peak speed, SanDisk Extreme Pro costs significantly more for arguably marginal in-console gains.

Durability, warranty and trust (counterfeit risk)

Counterfeits and fake capacity reporting remain an industry pain point. Our advice:

Buy from authorized retailers or the manufacturer store—avoid gray-market marketplace sellers.
Check packaging for holograms and legitimate serial numbers; verify warranty on Samsung's site where possible.
Run a quick capacity check and write-test on arrival ( H2testw or similar) if you suspect a fake card.

Samsung and SanDisk offer multi-year warranties and have strong reputations for longevity. In our experience, Samsung P9 batches in late 2025 showed consistent firmware/compatibility behavior with Switch 2.

Compatibility tips and practical advice

Before you click buy, consider these actionable steps to avoid post-purchase headaches:

Confirm microSD Express labeling: Not all cards marketed as “high speed” are MicroSD Express—double-check the spec sheet for PCIe/NVMe or "microSD Express" branding.
Use a quality reader for backups: A cheap USB reader will throttle speeds. For fast PC restores, use a PCIe Gen3 x4 capable dock or an external USB 3.2 Gen2 reader that supports NVMe over microSD.
Format in-console: After installing a new card, format the card in the Switch 2 to ensure optimal file-system settings and save integrity.
Keep a backup strategy: Use Nintendo cloud saves and periodic PC backups—microSD is durable but not infallible. Also see our guide on backup strategy and secure workflows.
Monitor firmware: Keep Switch 2 firmware up to date—Nintendo’s 2025/2026 updates improved microSD Express stability and error handling.

Which card should you buy? Scenarios and recommendations

Best value (most users)

Samsung P9 256GB — If you're expanding from the 256GB internal to double your space at the best price/performance ratio, this is the sweet spot in 2026. You'll get near-console-limited performance for most tasks, excellent backup speeds on a good PCIe reader, and a warranty from a trusted brand.

Best peak performance (competitive players, heavy backup users)

SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB — If you want the fastest synthetic throughput and shave a few seconds off installs and transfers, the SanDisk picks up that crown. Worth it if you migrate large libraries often or participate in speed-sensitive events.

Best for capacity/value (digital hoarders)

Skip the 256GB step and go straight to 512GB or 1TB microSD Express from Samsung or a reputable brand during a sale. The cost per GB improves, and you'll avoid repeated upgrades as your library grows.

Budget-conscious or casual gamer

If you rarely play huge titles, a 256GB Samsung P9 on sale covers most users and is far cheaper than premium models while offering practically identical in-console experience.

Advanced strategies (future-proofing and pro tips)

Consider a two-card strategy: keep a small fast card (256GB) for active titles and a larger slower card for archive—swap when needed.
For speedrunners: use the fastest available card and a fresh format before events; differences are small but repeatable.
Track firmware release notes: Nintendo or card vendors occasionally release firmware fixes that improve compatibility or speed spikes.
Storage lifecycle: rotate cards every 3–5 years if you're a heavy downloader to minimize wear-related errors.

"In our hands-on January 2026 testing, the Samsung P9 delivered the best practical value for Switch 2 players who want fast installs and low cost—without paying for marginal synthetic speed gains."

Final verdict: Is the Samsung P9 256GB the best value for Switch 2?

Yes—with caveats. If your main criteria are price per GB, real-world load times, and trusted brand warranty, the Samsung P9 256GB stands out in the 2026 market, especially when bought during sale windows. Hardcore competitive users or those who move massive libraries frequently might prefer the faster SanDisk Extreme Pro or larger capacities, but most gamers will not notice the difference in everyday play.

Actionable checklist before you buy

Check current prices—snap up the Samsung P9 if it hits or beats late-2025 levels (~$35). For deal-hunting workflows, see our tools roundup.
Confirm “microSD Express” on the spec sheet.
Buy from authorized retailers to avoid fakes.
Purchase a good PCIe/USB 3.2 card reader if you plan frequent PC backups.
Format the card in your Switch 2 after inserting it, then run a quick transfer test to confirm behavior.

Call to action

Ready to upgrade your Switch 2 now? Check current deals on the Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express and competing 256GB and 512GB cards at our curated shop page—compare live prices, verified sellers and bundle offers so you get the best value without the risk. If you want personalized advice, tell us your library size and play habits and we’ll recommend the perfect capacity and brand for your needs.

gamingshop

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.