The Team Group APEX SD7.1 is a 1TB microSDXC MicroSD Express card for Nintendo Switch 2 owners and other compatible devices who want high-capacity game storage and fast transfers, with read speeds up to 800MB/s and write speeds up to 700MB/s using a professional card reader.
Recommended For
- Nintendo Switch 2 owners with a large digital-game library who want 1TB of expandable storage for downloaded games and updates; Switch 2 requires microSD Express for game storage.
- Switch 2 players who want to move games or other large files between the card and console: testing of this exact 1TB model includes real-world transfer results, though speeds vary by task.
- Mobile creators recording 4K video who need a compact card for footage capture and transfer; TEAMGROUP specifies V30 support and lists the card for 4K recording.
- People sharing one card between a Switch 2 and older microSDXC devices who want backward compatibility; expect the older device to use its supported interface rather than the card’s Express speeds.
Real-World Use Scenarios
- On Nintendo Switch 2, use the card to keep more downloaded games installed when the console’s built-in storage fills up. Games run from the card, and testing found load times close to internal storage, though results vary by game.
- On a Steam Deck or ROG Ally, use the card to store additional game installs and free space on the handheld’s internal drive. It is backward-compatible, but these devices won’t use its full microSD Express speed; transfers run at the speed supported by the device’s card reader.
- On an original Nintendo Switch, use the card for extra game and capture storage. It works in the console, but the Switch uses the card at standard microSD speeds rather than microSD Express speeds.
- When moving large files to or from a computer, pair the card with a microSD Express-capable reader. A standard reader can still access the card, but won’t provide its full Express transfer performance.
- In a compatible camera or other recording device, use the card to capture 4K video and keep more footage on hand before transferring it to a computer. Actual recording compatibility depends on the device and its supported card format.
Spec Summary
| Attribute | Value |
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| Best For | Expanding game storage on Nintendo Switch 2 and other gaming devices with a MicroSD Express or backward-compatible microSD slot |
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| Capacity | 1TB of storage |
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| Interface And Format | MicroSDXC MicroSD Express card with exFAT support; also backward compatible with MicroSDXC, MicroSDHC, and standard MicroSD slots |
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| Speed And Class | Up to 800MB/s read and 700MB/s write with professional card readers; up to 100MB/s read and 90MB/s write over UHS-I. Rated A1, U3, UHS-I, and V30 |
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| Protection And Operating Conditions | X-ray proof, drop proof, and water-resistant; operates from 0°C to 70°C and stores from -40°C to 85°C, at 2.7V to 3.6V |
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| Physical Specifications | Red; 1g; 72(L) x 24(W) x 4.6(H)mm |
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| Model Identifiers | Team APEX SD7.1 MicroSD Express; part/model number TAPMSDE1TIV30A102 |
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Reference Q&A
Q: Is the TeamGroup APEX 1TB better than a regular microSD card for Switch 2?
A: Choose the APEX for storing and playing games on Nintendo Switch 2: the console requires a microSD Express card, and regular microSD cards cannot store or load games there. The APEX is a microSD Express card with up to 1TB capacity. ([en-americas-support.nintendo.com](https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68425/~/microsd-card-and-microsd-express-card-compatibility-with-nintendo-switch%C2%A02))
Q: Should I use the APEX or the Switch 2’s internal storage for games?
A: Use the APEX when you need more room for a larger game library; keep games on internal storage when prioritizing the fastest loading. Independent testing notes that Switch 2 internal storage can outperform microSD Express cards, while the APEX adds up to 1TB of expansion space. ([tomshardware.com](https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/microsd-cards/best-microsd-express-cards-for-nintendo-switch-2))
Q: Does the APEX run faster than a regular microSD in a Steam Deck or ROG Ally?
A: The APEX can work in devices with a standard microSD slot, but it uses the legacy UHS-I interface in those devices, not its advertised Express speeds of up to 800MB/s read and 700MB/s write. If you mainly use a Steam Deck or ROG Ally, compare its price with a standard UHS-I card; the APEX’s Express advantage is most relevant in an Express-compatible device. ([teamgroupinc.com](https://www.teamgroupinc.com/en/product-detail/card/TEAMGROUP/apex-sd-7-1-microsd-express/apex-sd-7-1-microsd-express-TAPMSDE128GIV30A102/))
Q: Is the APEX worth buying for the original Nintendo Switch?
A: It is compatible, but the original Switch reads and writes a microSD Express card at standard microSD speeds. Choose the APEX if you also want a card for a Switch 2 or another Express-compatible device; for an original Switch alone, a regular microSD card can provide the same card-interface performance. ([en-americas-support.nintendo.com](https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68425/~/microsd-card-and-microsd-express-card-compatibility-with-nintendo-switch%C2%A02))
Q: Will this card work with Nintendo Switch 2?
A: Yes. The APEX SD7.1 is a microSD Express card, and the product listing identifies it as compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Switch 2 requires a microSD Express card for game storage.
Q: Will it work in a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or an older Nintendo Switch?
A: It can work in devices with compatible microSDXC slots because the card is backward compatible with standard microSD slots. In those devices, it uses the host’s supported interface rather than microSD Express speeds; check the device’s capacity and card-format requirements before buying.
Q: Will I get 800MB/s read and 700MB/s write speeds in my device?
A: Not necessarily. Those maximums are specified with professional card readers. For UHS-I use, the listing gives maximums of 100MB/s read and 90MB/s write; actual speeds also depend on the host device and reader.
Q: How many games or how much video can 1TB hold?
A: It provides 1TB of rated storage, but the number of games depends on their individual file sizes. For video, the product listing estimates about six hours of 4K 120fps footage; actual recording time varies with the camera’s settings and bitrate.
Q: Is the 1TB APEX worth buying for a large Nintendo Switch 2 game library?
A: It may suit players who keep many digital games installed: Reddit users report using the card alongside the console’s internal storage for sizable libraries. The trade-off is the high cost of 1TB microSD Express storage; players who uninstall games when finished may not need that much capacity.
Q: Will this card work for storing games on Nintendo Switch 2?
A: Yes. The APEX is a microSD Express card, the card type Reddit users identify as necessary for storing games on Switch 2. One owner reported using the 1TB APEX in their console. The product information also lists Switch 2 compatibility.
Q: Will games load faster from the APEX than from the Switch 2’s internal storage?
A: The available Reddit reports do not establish that the APEX loads games faster than internal storage. One owner kept Switch 2 games on internal storage to prioritize loading times and used the card for additional storage, so treat the APEX primarily as a capacity upgrade rather than a guaranteed loading-speed improvement.