How to choose a memory card for a smartphone

The main parameters when choosing a memory card are its standard and speed. A suitable can be determined from the technical characteristics of the smartphone and the planned operating conditions.

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1. How to choose a memory card for a smartphone: what to look for
   
2. Main selection criteria
3. Additional memory card features
4. Best Memory Card Manufacturers

How to choose a memory card for a smartphone: what to look for

The most important parameters for selecting a memory card for a smartphone are as follows:

1. Standard (defines compatibility and marginal volume);

2. Volume (determines the amount of information that can be written to this drive);

3. Speed ​​(determines the practicality of the drive for various purposes).

4. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

Immediately it is worth mentioning that the article describes microSD memory cards, since it is used in the vast majority of modern smartphones. Rare models that are equipped with a slot for other types of drives (for example, MMC) are met once in never and therefore the choice for them is limited simply by finding the right accessory.

Main selection criteria

Almost all modern smartphones use microSD memory cards, which are highly practical and compact in size. These external drives are classified as follows:

1. By standard (microSDSC, microSDHC, microSDXC);

2. By volume (measured in “marketing” GB);

3. By speed class (Class 2-10, UHS I-II).

All these parameters are very important when choosing a memory card for use in a smartphone.

Standard

There are three standards for microSD memory cards:

1. microSDSC (Standard Capacity);

2. microSDHC (High Capacity);

3. microSDXC (Extended Capacity).

Microsdsc (can also be called simply microSD) - one of the first standards of memory cards. It was introduced in the last century. The maximum capacity of such memory cards is 2 GB, and they are formatted into a slow and not very practical type of FAT16 file system.

Memory cards of this standard are currently practically not found on sale. They are recommended for use except with the oldest smartphones.

Microsdhc - the most common to date memory card standard, providing the best price-to-volume ratio for mobile users. The capacity of such drives is from 4 to 32 GB, and the most optimal file system is FAT32, which has a high speed of access to the recorded information.

MicroSDHC memory cards are recommended for use in smartphones.

Microsdxc - The most modern standard of memory cards. The capacity of such drives ranges from 64 GB to theoretically 2 TB (at the same time the maximum represented at the moment is 200 GB). They are formatted into the fastest exFAT file system.

The use of such memory cards is recommended in modern flagship smartphones.

Memory card standards are backward compatible. I.e:

1. In a smartphone that supports microSDXC memory cards, you can install microSDXC, microSDHC and microSDSC;

2. In a smartphone that supports microSDHC memory cards, you can install microSDHC and microSDSC.But microSDXC will not be compatible with it;

3. In a smartphone that supports microSDSC memory cards, you can install only microSDSC. The rest will be incompatible.

Find out what type of memory card is supported by the smartphone, you can from the technical characteristics of the device. Usually the standard is indicated directly. If a specific name is not given, then you can determine indirectly, based on the maximum amount of supported memory cards:

1. 64 GB or more - microSDXC, as well as increasingly older standards;

2. From 2 GB to 32 GB - microSDHC and microSDSC;

3. 2 GB or less - only microSDSC.

Almost all modern smartphones in the budget and mid-range support microSDHC, but the “upper middle” and flagship microSDXC.

Since the file system of the memory card indirectly determines the speed of access to information, you should also choose a standard based on the intended use. For storing multimedia data, documents, etc. HC is suitable, but to install applications or use as Adaptive Storage (a feature available in Android 6.0 and 7.0) it is better to use XC.

However, the speed of a memory card directly affects the speed of access to files.

The standard of the memory card is most often indicated in the description, on the package or directly on the case of this drive with the corresponding icon.

Memory card speed class

There are several speed classes of a memory card, and they come in two generations.

The first generation is the “classic” speed class Speed ​​Class. Four types are most common:

1. Class 2. Read and write speed - from 2 Mbps. Suitable only for documents, small images in poor quality, low bitrate music, etc. They will not work comfortably with modern smartphones - for example, when photographing, the delay in recording a snapshot will be several seconds, as a result, glitches or “picture” defects may appear;

2. Class 4. Read and write speed - from 4 Mbps. Suitable for medium-bitrate music, low-resolution images, documents and files that do not need to work “online” (documents, archives, etc.). Not suitable for video. Few suitable for photography;

3. Class 6. Read and write speed - from 6 Mbit / s. Suitable for music with high bitrate, medium resolution images (up to 13 MP), other files. Can be used to store and play videos. Limited for shooting photos (up to 13 MP, without RAW, without HDR), not suitable for video shooting;

4. Class 10. Read and write speed - from 10 Mbps. Suitable for almost all purposes, including installation of applications, photography (except RAW), video (no more than HD).

As you know, the best solution for use with modern smartphones will be Class 6 and Class 10 memory cards. But if you plan to record high definition video (Full HD, 4K) or “large” photos (RAW, HDR +) on this drive, then you should Pay attention to even faster standards:

1. Uhs-i. The read and write speeds are from 10 Mbps. Suitable for high definition video (Full HD), high bitrate audio (Loseless, ALAC), storage of large files (movies, for example);

2. UHS-III. Read and write speeds are from 30 Mbps. Suitable for ultra-high resolution video (QHD, 4K) and any purpose.

It should be noted that most of the memory cards with a speed class UHS are made in the microSDXC standard (which is quite logical), so before purchasing such a drive, you should make sure that the smartphone will support it.

Memory Card Capacity

The amount of data that can be written to it directly depends on the volume of the memory card. In this case, the capacity in GB, which is indicated on the packaging, does not correspond to the real one.

The following card sizes are most common:

1. 2 GB (actual volume 1.9 GB). About a hundred 320-kbps MP3 songs or about 200 photos in 8 MP resolution will “fit”;

2. 4 GB (actual volume 3.72 GB). In addition to the above, a few more clips at a resolution of 320p will fit;

3. 8 GB (actual volume of 7.44 GB). Enough for a couple of films in low quality, several hundred music files, documents and photos;

4. 16 GB (actual volume of 14.9 GB). Enough for a few high-definition HD videos or even Full HD, as well as all of the above;

5. 32 GB (actual volume 29.8 GB). Enough for a large number of videos in Full HD and many high-resolution photos;

6. 64 GB (actual volume 59.6 GB). Enough for the average number of videos in QHD or 4K;

7. 128 GB (actual volume 119.2 GB). Enough for a large number of videos in 4K or even with a frequency of 120 fps.

As it is clear, it is worth choosing the required volume of the drive on the basis of the planned use. For photographers, suitable memory cards for 32-64 GB, mobile operators (especially in combination with a modern smartphone) is desirable accessory 64-128 GB.

Additional memory card features

Some models of memory cards offer enhanced functionality that can be very useful for users. Among such opportunities:

1. Data recovery software included. A nice and useful “bonus” that will save your favorite photos, even if something happens to the memory card;

2. Protection against extreme conditions (too high or low temperatures, shaking, contact with water, etc.). The function is quite useful, but only if you plan to travel a lot with the map;

3. X-ray protection. Keep the memory card “live” after scanning the baggage at the airport. Another useful feature for travel lovers;

4. Water protection. Such memory cards may briefly dive to a shallow depth. Another way to save your favorite photos in extreme conditions.

Most often, all these additional functions "go" all together. For example, Kingston Industrial Temperature memory cards are protected from cold, heat, X-rays, moisture, even voltage drops when installed in a working smartphone or removed from it.

Best Memory Card Manufacturers

Among the manufacturers of memory cards are the following companies:

1. Samsung. Releases memory cards specially optimized for smartphones;

2. Transcend. Inexpensive, but at the same time, sufficient quality memory cards;

3. SanDisk. It produces both relatively inexpensive and premium models.

4. In addition, the mention worthy of the company Kingston and Silicon Power, which also produce high-quality and in most cases, low-cost memory cards.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose headphones for your phone and secrets choosing a phone charger.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.