Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC review: High-speed storage for creators and cameras
Testing the 1TB Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC card on the Legion Go II to see how it handles large-scale gaming installs. Picture: Noel Campion
The technical details of SD cards can seem overwhelming. However, they tell you exactly what to expect in practice. The V30 and U3 ratings mean the card can handle the sustained write speeds required for 4K video recording. If you are a content creator, this is non-negotiable. The A2 rating also matters for devices like smartphones or handheld consoles, as it helps the card load apps more efficiently. With read speeds of up to 205MB/s and write speeds of 150MB/s, Lexar Silver Plus microSDXC cards are built for speed.
I began my testing with the 256GB card. I first put it into my Sony A7IV mirrorless camera using the included SD card adapter to see how it handled high-bitrate video and large RAW photo files. I found the card very reliable, and I didn't experience any dropped frames or write errors during my shoot. The camera supports faster CFexpress Type A cards, but I don't need the extra speed for the type of photography I do.
After the camera, I moved the card into my HiBy R4 Digital Audio player. I loaded a large collection of high-resolution music files, and playback was smooth and consistent.
The 1TB card was a massive upgrade for my Legion Go II handheld gaming console, which is demanding hardware. I specifically wanted to see how the card handled large game titles, so I downloaded and played several games over 100GB. I was looking for long loading screens or stutters during gameplay, but the Lexar card performed excellently.
I’ve never found Steam servers fast, so it’s impossible to say how fast the write speeds were, but the gaming experience was excellent. While load times weren't as fast as from the internal SSD, the extra 1TB for game storage far outweighed any minor slowdown in game launches.
Other gaming consoles support microSDXC, such as my ROG Ally X and Nintendo Switch, but the Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards.
One important caveat with any SD or microSD card is that the speeds you see on the box often depend on the device you are using. A card might be incredibly fast, but if your device has a slow card reader, you will not see those high numbers.
I highly recommend checking your intended device's specifications before you buy. There’s no point in overpaying for a high-spec card if your hardware cannot take advantage of the extra speed. On the flip side, using a slow, budget card in a powerful device like the Legion Go II will noticeably degrade performance. For the best results, make sure your storage matches your gear's capabilities.
The Lexar Silver Plus is a rugged, high-speed storage solution for those who need more than basic capacity. For most handheld consoles, the Silver Plus is a quick, easy upgrade with a good range of sizes to suit your needs or budget. It works well for photographers who need reliable video recording and gamers who need fast load times. As long as your hardware can support these speeds, it is a solid investment for your media and gaming libraries.
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