Lexar PLAY 1TB, M.2 2230 / M-Key / PCIe 4.0 x4

The PLAY 1TB M.2 2230 NVMe SSD by Lexar trades blows with the UD90 model by Silicon Power in my charts, even though it’s 1TB in capacity (usually slower than the larger 2TB models). This means that it should easily surpass both in speed and durability whatever both the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally come fitted with from the factory. My actual issue with the PLAY is capacity and only a 1TB model when there are 2TB M.2 2230 models available is clearly not a good move by Lexar. Yes, 1TB should be enough for some users but when there are many who ask for 4/8TB models I think that 2TB is the least every manufacturer should have in their M.2 2230 SSD lines. Right now, the PLAY 1TB M.2 2230 NVMe Gen4 SSD by Lexar retails for USD84.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 117.32Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) and so it’s priced rather well, at least on the other side of the Atlantic (once again). At the end of the day even though both the UD90 and the PLAY are more or less identical in performance the former is the obvious choice (at least currently) for people who need or want the extra capacity. Overall, however both models deliver the same level of performance and endurance and so even if it’s 1TB in capacity I strongly recommend the PLAY if that amount is sufficient for you.