Cheaper Xbox storage expansion cards may soon launch
Microsoft is reportedly preparing to launch its new and cheaper Xbox expandable storage options from other manufacturers. A new Western Digital 1TB expansion card for Xbox Series S/X consoles was spotted on Best Buy, an e-commerce website in the US and Canada, with a price sticker of $179.99 (roughly Rs 14,900), reports The Verge. Also Read — E3 2023 has been cancelled: Here’s why
The tech giant first introduced Xbox expandable storage cards with its Xbox Series S/X consoles almost three years back. The 1TB cards had a $219.99 price tag (around Rs 23,499 in India) and were made exclusively by Seagate. Also Read — Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family plan expands to 6 more countries: All you need to know
The new approach toward cheaper storage cards could be because the rival gaming console ecosystem of PlayStation 5 includes storage cards that cost much less than Seagate’s Xbox storage cards. Due to that, there is some criticism from the gamer community, so instead of lowering the price of the existing storage cards, Microsoft is working on new ones. Also Read — Microsoft inks a 10-year deal to bring Xbox games to Nintendo gamers
The listing of the Western Digital C50 1TB storage expansion card is no longer available on Best Buy. However, it means the new expansion card is coming sooner or later. But it is still overpriced at $179.99. Even though the upcoming WD card is likely $40 cheaper than Seagate’s card, it is no match for Samsung 980 Pro 1TB PCIe Gen4 drive that costs $79.99 right now in the US. In India, you can get the Samsung drive for around Rs 11,000.
It is essential that there be a second Xbox expandable storage manufacturer, as this should help to stabilise costs. However, it is unclear when Western Digital’s new 1TB
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