When buying a microSD card, there are many things to consider. You want one that works well with your particular device, and one that won’t break the bank. But what makes a good microSD card?
How can you tell if the microSD card you’re looking at is worth spending money on? And how much can you spend without breaking the bank? We’ve got the answers.
Incompatible Cards
MicroSD cards come in many different sizes and shapes, but how do you know what type of card you’re getting? Here’s everything you need to know about the four most common types of microSD cards.
The three main formats are SD (standard definition), SDHC (high capacity), and SDXC (super high capacity). These formats are outlined as SD standard, but don’t always function the same way. For example, the SDHC format allows up to 2 TB of storage space while the SDXC format allows up to 128 GB of storage space. However, both formats support the same speed class rating of Class 10, meaning that they are rated to transfer data at speeds of up to 10 MB/sec.
The fourth format is SDUC (Super Ultra Compact). This is the smallest form factor of microSD card, measuring just 0.5 inches long. SDUC cards are designed to be used in digital cameras and camcorders, where it’s important to keep size down. They’re also great for portable devices like smartphones and tablets because they require less room inside the device.
As a result, SDUC cards aren’t backwards compatible with SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards. If you buy one of these cards, make sure you know what slot it fits in.
Card Capacity
First, let’s talk about what “capacity” really means. A microSD card is sold in capacities ranging from 32GB to 2TB. But what does that mean when it comes to compatibility? Are all microSD cards compatible with every device out there? Not necessarily. Here are some tips to help you figure out whether your microSD card works with your specific device.
Card Speed
Cards Are Faster Than Ever
The difference between microSD and Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) (and SDHC cards too!) lies in the capacity of the card itself. MicroSD cards come in capacities ranging from 2GB to 128GB, while SD cards range from 4GB to 256GB. Both types of cards use the same type of flash memory chips, but the way they connect to the host device determines how much storage space each one offers.
There are two different ways to attach a microSD card to a computer: via the microSD slot built into most laptops and tablets, or via USB. While both options allow the card to access the full amount of storage space offered by the card, there are some differences.
For instance, the connection method plays a role in determining how fast the card can write information to the internal hard drive. A microSD card inserted into a laptop or tablet via its microSD port can read and write data at rates of about 20 MBps. This is because the microSD card uses the faster Type-A USB connector. However, USB 3.0 ports offer a maximum transfer rate of 5 Gbps, meaning that the card cannot reach those speeds.
On the other hand, a microSD card inserted into the USB port of a desktop or notebook PC can read and write data up to 150 MBps. Because the Type-B USB connector used on PCs supports a high-speed serial protocol called SuperSpeed+, the card can achieve those speeds without issue.
While the two methods offer similar performance, the fact that many computers don’t include microSD slots makes it difficult to determine whether the card will perform well in a particular machine. To find out, you’ll need to insert the microSD card into the slot of a compatible system and test the card’s capabilities.
If you plan to purchase a microSD card for a device that doesn’t include a microSD slot, such as an iPhone 7, iPad Pro, or MacBook Air, you might want look into purchasing a USB adapter that allows you to plug the card directly into the USB port of the device. These adapters usually cost less than $10.00 USD, making them easy to acquire.
As mentioned earlier, the connection method plays an important role in determining how fast a microSD card can write data to the internal hard drive, so make sure you choose the correct adapter for your needs. Even though the microSD card itself does not contain a USB connector, it still requires a cable to connect to the USB port of your computer.
UHS Speed Class
The UHS speed class rating system was introduced in 2012. The idea behind the standard is to help consumers understand how fast a card will transfer data. For example, U1 indicates that the card transfers data at up to 10 megabytes per second; U2 indicates that the card will transfer data at up to 20MB/sec; and U3 indicates that the card will perform at up to 30MB/sec.
There are three different speeds within each category. U1 cards range from 4GB to 32GB, U2 cards range from 8GB to 64GB, and U3 cards range from 16GB to 256GB. Cards start out at U1 speeds and increase as you go up the scale. You can find out what type of card you need by looking at the capacity listed on the box.
UHS Bus Class
The UHS system is used by many transit agencies around the world. A few months ago, we asked you what the difference between the UHS Speed Class and the Bus Interface was. You told us it was important to know how buses are rated because some buses are faster than others.
We took your feedback into account and now we’re happy to announce that the UHS Speed Class is no longer being used. Instead, the UHS Bus Interface is now the way to go.
This change is part of our ongoing effort to make the UHS system easier to understand and use. As always, we want to hear from you about changes like this one. If you have questions or comments, please let us know.
The Physical Size
The difference between physical size and capacity is one of the most confusing aspects about memory cards.
In short, capacity refers to how much data can be stored on a single card while physical size indicates the thickness of the card itself. While both are important factors, they aren’t always equal.
For example, a 32GB SDXC card might actually hold less space than a 16GB SDHC card because of the way manufacturers pack the storage into each device. Here’s what you need to know about the differences between physical size and capacity.
For more info on the latest marketing software news, return to Tilt Mobility marketing.
Grow Your Business Online
Looking to grow your business online? If so, then check out our range of recommended SaaS products including the following: