Western Digital has revealed the world’s inaugural 4TB micro SD card, but unfortunately, Steam Deck owners will have to contain their enthusiasm.
At an official press conference on August 8, Western Digital, known for its high-performance SSDs and storage choices, introduced the “world’s first”4TB microSD and 8TB SD cards.
During the Future Memory Storage 2024 (FMS 24) event, Western Digital announced that their high-performance flash devices would continue to push the boundaries, and that their SDUC UHS-I cards were designed for use in future smartphones, gaming devices, drones, cameras, and laptops.
Although the cards in question boast impressive max speeds of 104MB/s, there is one significant limitation to keep in mind for Steam Deck users – Valve’s popular handheld device does not support SDUC cards.
According to the Integral Memory FAQ, SDUC memory cards are specifically designed to be used with SDUC devices only.
The Steam Deck currently only supports SD, SDXC, and SDHC cards, meaning that those looking to increase their handheld storage with a 4TB micro SD card will not be able to do so.
Despite the fact that even the OLED model of the Steam Deck is limited to speeds of 100MB/s, it is unlikely that this would have had a significant impact on the device. Additionally, both cards are UHS-I, which is said to be slower than the UHS-II cards currently on the market for the handheld.
Despite the disappointment for Steam Deck enthusiasts who were hoping to have access to the “world’s first”4TB microSD card, there are still plenty of options available. The handheld is compatible with a variety of 1TB microSD cards, and users also have the option to upgrade the SSD for up to 2TB of storage. So while the 4TB option may not be available, there are still plenty of ways to expand the storage capacity of the Steam Deck.
Western Digital revealed a proof-of-concept portable 16TB SSD and a 16TB SandDisk desk drive during their press conference at FMS 24. Although they did not mention a 2230 NVMe SSD equivalent, it is still a possibility.
If you’re still interested in purchasing the 4TB micro SD and 8TB full-size cards for your other devices, Western Digital has not disclosed a release date for when they will be available. It is probable that these cards will be expensive, considering that the SanDisk 1.5TB Ultra microSDXC has a retail price of $150.
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