The Asus ROG Ally handheld PC is launching with velocity, and I’m not simply speaking about its quick processor that units it aside from the Steam Deck and different opponents. The ROG Ally’s UHS-II microSD card interface permits for sooner studying and writing speeds than UHS-I, the baseline spec present in the Steam Deck, the Nintendo Switch, and in a number of different gadgets. In different phrases, you’ll seemingly see a lot sooner obtain speeds.

According to Lexar, UHS-II triples the most switch velocity of UHS-I, topping out at 312 MB/s as an alternative of 104 MB/s. However, in comparison with the proliferation of slower microSD cards, there are very few UHS-II microSD cards on the market. Currently, family names in storage like Samsung and SanDisk don’t make UHS-II microSD cards. So far, it’s simply Lexar, Adata, and a few manufacturers that, frankly, I’ve by no means heard of.

The few choices that exist are rather more costly than what you is perhaps used to paying for a microSD card. What’s a bit extra regarding is that the present choices don’t run at the full velocity allowed by the UHS-II interface. We’ll get there someday, I’m certain. However, there’s some excellent news, which is that UHS-II microSD cards are backwards suitable with UHS-I devices, corresponding to the Steam Deck, though you’ll see slower switch speeds than what you paid the huge bucks for.

We’ll preserve this record up to date as newer microSD card fashions launch.

Lexar 1800x UHS-II microSD card

  • $200

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Read speeds of as much as 270 MB/s in gadgets that help UHS-II.


  • $200


    at Amazon

Adata Premier One UHS-II microSD card

  • $169

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Read speeds of as much as 275 MB/s in gadgets that help UHS-II


  • $169


    at Amazon (128 GB)