Samsung has introduced its inaugural lineup of microSD Express cards, the Samsung P9 Express. These cards are designed to optimize gaming experiences, particularly for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Available in 256GB and 512GB capacities, the cards are intended to provide storage for games and downloadable content while maintaining performance for a range of players.
Technology and Performance
The P9 Express integrates several features initially developed for SSDs, including ultra-fast transfer speeds, Host Memory Buffer (HMB) support, and advanced Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) technology.
- Speed: Utilizing the latest PCIe interface and NVMe protocol, the P9 Express achieves maximum sequential read speeds of up to 800MB/s. This speed is reported to be up to four times faster than conventional UHS-I cards, potentially reducing download times and load screen durations.
- HMB: This feature uses the host system’s memory to accelerate data access, which aims to improve response times during gameplay.
- DTG: The Dynamic Thermal Guard is designed to monitor and regulate the card’s temperature, which helps prevent overheating and aims to ensure consistent performance during extended use.
Durability
To secure stored data, including saved game progress and media files, the P9 Express features 6-proof durability. These safeguards reportedly protect the card against water immersion, extreme temperatures, X-ray exposure, magnetic fields, accidental drops, and wear out.
Each card includes a 3-Year Limited Warranty and grants access to the Samsung Magician software for product authenticity verification and card health monitoring.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung P9 Express microSD Express cards are available for purchase at Samsung.com and select retailers in the US. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is $54.99 (Rs. 4,880 approx.) for the 256GB model and $99.99 (Rs. 8,870 approx.) for the 512GB model.