Tiny, removable "mini SSD" could eventually be a big deal for gaming handhelds

16 quantummagic 7 8/16/2025, 7:14:01 PM arstechnica.com ↗

Comments (7)

zeroq · 8h ago
SD download option is the answer.

I think this whole issue shouldn't exist in the first place.

I do understand that full voice over and 4k ready textures comes at a price but some devs are getting lazy and some games are just ridiculous.

We're talking about handhelds like Steam Deck. Even if I plug it in as a console it won't have the juice to run at full resolution.

When I want to quickly grab an episode of a tv series to watch on my mobile I'll be super happy with 300mb 720p version. I don't need a 50gb rip in 4k in HDR with Atmos sound. Same option should be available for games.

NDxTreme · 2h ago
This adds use cases to the devices. For instance, I am using my Steam Deck to type this hooked up to a 32 inch Monitor, as my daily driver on CachyOS.*

I bought the cheapest one, and upgraded the SSD. I also have an SD card. I use this for more than just playing games.

I would love to be able to just upgrade the storage and it be as fast as the internal storage. I could install a Windows install on it, and switch when it makes sense.

* Arch-by-the-way

Talanes · 7h ago
And we know it can be done on existing download infrastructure, because it's available for all the games I own that added the hi-res textures after launch - selectable as a free DLC.
suprjami · 6h ago
No. We have MicroSD Express. We don't need yet another form factor.
RainyDayTmrw · 5h ago
The SD and micro SD form factors are not the most robust or reliable. It would be nice to have a next step up form factor. In some ways, that's the motivation for CF Express Type B (and XQD before it), as popularized in digital photography.
SnuffBox · 6h ago
What if it can offer better transfer speeds? A system that downloads large files often would presumably be bottlenecked by a MicroSD's write speeds.
laidoffamazon · 6h ago
I’m still surprised the steam deck runs so well even with games installed to microSD - I’m not sure how they do it.