Mini SSD Revolution for Gaming Handhelds
Just this year, Nintendo made waves by mandating the use of the microSD Express standard for its new Switch 2 console. This standard, introduced back in 2019, remained largely unnoticed due to the sufficient speed provided by the cheaper non-Express microSD cards and the lack of compatible hardware.
With the Switch 2's enhanced capabilities, matching those of current SSD-compatible devices like the PS5, Xbox Series S and X, and PCs, there's a growing demand for improved storage performance. Other companies are now pushing the boundaries on this front.
Recently, it's been reported that a Chinese company, Biwin, has developed a "Mini SSD" card, which remarkably measures 15 by 17 mm and boasts impressive read speeds of 3,700MB per second. This is facilitated by a two-lane PCI Express 4.0 integration, comparable to top current speeds of microSD Express cards connected in a similar two-lane configuration. However, most of today's cards cap at around 900MB per second, limited by a single PCI Express 3.0 lane's bandwidth.
Debuted earlier this year, Biwin's Mini SSD employs LGA packaging to fit NAND chips and an SSD controller onto its compact cards. These are inserted into systems like a SIM card, utilizing small metal trays. Notably, the Chinese-made AMD gaming portables GPD Win 5 and OneXPlayer Super X are among the devices promoting compatibility with the Mini SSDs, with storage ranging from 500GB to 2TB.
While the Mini SSD isn't an officially ratified standard, it looks to address a vital issue for gaming handhelds – providing fast storage capable of SSD-like game loading speeds without necessitating complicated system upgrades.
Why Game Sizes are Expanding
A study found that from 2012 to 2023, the average game size grew by approximately 6.3GB annually. Some games now exceed 100GB, driven by enhanced graphics and 4K texture requirements. Similarly, narrative-driven games, heavy on cinematics and multilingual support, demand increased storage.
Take, for instance, the Mac version of _Cyberpunk 2077_, which is notably larger on Apple's App Store (159GB) compared to other platforms (92GB), due to all-language voiceover compliance.
There's an evident need for storage solutions that upgrade speed without dismantling devices. Whether it's through innovative Mini SSDs, advancements in microSD Express, or another emerging tech, the race for faster, user-friendly storage continues.
