Adata has taken a significant leap forward in memory storage technology with the introduction of its new Premier Extreme SD Express 8.0 memory card. Offering 1.6 GB/s read and 1.2 GB/s write speeds, the card is 12 times faster than UHS-I solutions and four times faster than UHS-II. Starting at 512GB capacity, the card uses a PCIe 3.0 x2 interface, delivering performance that outperforms even some entry-level NVMe SSDs. Adata indicates that higher-capacity variants will follow as the market expands, offering more options for consumers.
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SD Express technology, which was first introduced in 2018 with the SD 7.0 standard, is set to become a reality in 2025, especially due to the requirements of the Nintendo Switch 2. SD Express cards, which use PCIe lanes and the NVMe protocol, provide similar functionality to SSDs in PCs, PS5, and Xbox. Under the SD 8.0 standard, cards with speeds of up to 4 GB/s of PCIe 4.0 x2 are possible. Adata's new card features LPDC ECC technology and multi-device access support, but the U3/V30 ratings only guarantee sustained write speeds of 30 MB/s.
SD Express cards use their own special "E" rating system; for example, E150 means sustained write speeds of 150 MB/s. However, many cards currently on the market do not explicitly indicate these ratings and revert to the traditional U3/V30 classes. Adata's SD Express 8.0 card aims to bring the technology to the mainstream, especially in gaming and professional videography. However, Adata has not yet revealed details on pricing or availability, and more information is expected at Computex next month.
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However, the use of SD Express cards may be limited outside of the Nintendo Switch 2 and professional video gear, as most smartphone manufacturers have abandoned expandable storage. Implementing SD Express is complicated for smartphones, as it requires special connectors and PCIe lanes from the SoC. As a result, consumers will have to rely on internal UFS or NVMe storage for the time being, which cannot be upgraded.
In terms of pricing, SD Express cards are relatively expensive, costing up to 25 cents per GB, while retail SSDs are available for 5-6 cents per GB. Since both use NAND flash technology, the price of SD Express cards is likely to decrease over time. Adata's new card showcases the future of high-speed storage, but its market acceptance will depend on price and device support.