SanDisk Launches New Xbox Series X|S Expansion Cards

Image via Xbox/Sandisk

SanDisk's new Optimus GX C50 expansion cards provide additional storage options for Xbox Series X|S owners.

The new line brings a third major option to the Xbox storage market, joining Seagate and Western Digital. SanDisk's cards are designed for the Xbox expansion slot, allowing players to run compatible Xbox Series X|S games directly from the additional storage rather than switching between drives. SanDisk's existing WD_BLACK C50 expansion cards follow the same Xbox expansion-slot design and are built around high-speed NVMe storage that is optimized for Xbox Velocity Architecture.

The Optimus GX C50 is available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. According to the pricing information provided, the US models are priced at $109.99, $199.99, and $339.99, respectively. However, SanDisk's pricing suggests that these may be reduced prices, indicating that the cards will become significantly more expensive later.

That is the biggest concern for Xbox owners.

Adding another manufacturer should increase competition and provide gamers with more options when shopping for expansion storage. However, these cards remain significantly more expensive than traditional external USB drives, which are still useful for storing games that are not currently being played.

For most players, the 1TB model may be the sweet spot, providing enough space for a larger game library without the high cost of the 2TB version.

SanDisk's arrival is unlikely to change Xbox storage prices overnight, but increased competition is welcome. The real question is whether retailers can continue to sell these cards at competitive prices after the initial discounts expire.

For Xbox gamers who are running out of storage space, SanDisk's new expansion cards may be worth looking into.