Lexar has announced a limited-time price reduction on its PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card in the UK, lowering the price of the 256GB model from £79.99 to £59.99. The offer is available through Amazon UK and provides a more affordable entry point for users looking to upgrade storage for the Nintendo Switch 2, compatible laptops, tablets, handheld gaming devices, and other portable hardware.
The PLAY PRO is built around the microSD Express standard, combining PCIe and NVMe technologies to deliver substantially higher performance than traditional microSD cards while remaining compatible with older hardware.
Get 1-month GTA+ subscription with pre-order.
Pre-Order GTA 6 Now
Designed for Nintendo Switch 2 and microSD Express Devices
The Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card is designed to take advantage of the higher bandwidth offered by microSD Express-compatible devices. On supported hardware, including the Nintendo Switch 2 and future devices adopting the standard, the card delivers sequential read speeds of up to 900MB/s and write speeds of up to 600MB/s.
According to Lexar, this represents approximately four times the read performance of a conventional UHS-I microSD card. For gaming, that additional bandwidth can contribute to shorter game loading times, faster downloads, and quicker installation of large titles where the hardware supports microSD Express.
Although its highest performance is reserved for compatible devices, the card maintains backwards compatibility with existing UHS-I and UHS-II systems, operating at standard UHS-I speeds when used in older hardware.
Fast Storage Beyond Gaming
While handheld gaming is a primary focus, the PLAY PRO is also positioned as a versatile removable storage solution for creative workloads.
When paired with the Lexar microSD Express card reader, users can transfer large game files, media projects, and other data considerably faster than with previous-generation microSD solutions. Compatible laptops and portable devices equipped with microSD Express support can also benefit from faster removable storage for applications, video editing projects, and large asset libraries.
The card carries A2, V30, and U3 performance ratings, making it suitable for demanding tasks including:
- 4K video recording
- Faster application loading
- RAW photo storage
- Action camera recording
- Drone footage capture
- Portable media workflows
For users balancing gaming and content creation, these certifications provide flexibility across a range of compatible devices.
Storage Capacities up to 1TB
Lexar offers the PLAY PRO in multiple capacities, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models.
The larger capacities provide additional room for expanding digital game libraries, storing 4K video, managing RAW photography collections, and keeping large applications on removable storage without frequent file management.
As modern games continue to increase in size, higher-capacity microSD Express cards may become increasingly useful for handheld gaming devices that support expandable storage.
Built for Portable Use
The PLAY PRO is also designed with durability in mind for users who regularly travel or work outdoors.
Lexar states that the card is:
- IPX7 waterproof
- Temperature resistant
- Shockproof
- Drop proof
- Vibration resistant
- Magnet proof
- X-ray proof
These protections are intended to help safeguard stored data while using portable gaming systems, cameras, drones, and other mobile devices in a variety of environments.
Limited-Time UK Pricing
The 256GB Lexar PLAY PRO microSDXC Express Card is currently available for £59.99, representing a 25% discount from its standard retail price of £79.99.
For users planning to upgrade storage for the Nintendo Switch 2 or other upcoming microSD Express-compatible hardware, the promotion provides an opportunity to purchase one of the faster removable storage options currently available while retaining compatibility with existing microSD devices.
With PCIe and NVMe technology, read speeds of up to 900MB/s, write speeds reaching 600MB/s, A2 application performance, and capacities up to 1TB, the PLAY PRO is positioned as a storage solution that can support both current devices and future microSD Express hardware.
