The maximum size of a memory card. Which memory card to choose for a smartphone? The best memory cards for a smartphone

Not sure which microSD card to buy? Capacity is not the only criterion. What is the use of a “capacious” drive if the write speed is only 2 Mb / s? Large files will be uploaded to it very slowly. The technology used and the frequency of the bus also matter. Browse through the MicroSD card ratings to find the one with the right features and price.

The specifications of the SD drive are listed on it. But all the parameters with explanations on such a small device simply do not fit. Therefore, the information is given in an abbreviated form.

• Capacity/Memory. It is measured in Megabytes (“MB”), Gigabytes (“GB”) and Terabytes (“TB”). It depends on how many files will fit on the card. Now 16 GB media is popular. 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. A card with a small capacity is marked "SD", with a high capacity - "SDHC", with an extended one - "SDXC".
• Recording speed. May be listed on the front of the drive.
• Class. On the MicroSD case, the parameter is indicated as a number inside the letter "C". For example, "Class 7" is 7 Mb/s, "Class 9" is 9 Mb/s. A multiplier may be specified instead of a class. To calculate the speed, multiply it by 0.15 and get the result in Megabits per second. Marking "x200" is 30 Mb / s, "x400" - 60 Mb / s.
• UHS-I. If the media has a designation in the form of the letter "U" with a number, then it is made using the "Ultra High Speed" technology. The maximum write speed in such cards reaches 104 Mb/s. The minimum depends on the model: U1 - 10 Mb / s, U3 - 30 Mb / s.
• UHS II. These drives have another row of contacts. It should also be on the SD-MicroSD adapter. The peak speed of the cards is 312 Mb/s. This is a new type of microSD card, so many devices do not support it.
• VSC. Technology - Video Speed ​​Class. The designation is the letter "V".
• If there is a Roman numeral II on the case, then the UHS-II bus is used.

IMPORTANT. There can be several markings on one carrier: both “C”, and “U”, and “V”. The card will not continuously operate at the peak speeds that are specified in the specifications. These are the maximum possible values.

How to choose a card?

First, read the instructions for the device for which you are looking for a card. See what SD formats it supports. Often there are restrictions like "MicroSD up to 64 GB". This means that the gadget will not fit 128 GB media.

The choice of drive depends on the conditions in which you will use it. Which memory cards are best for a smartphone, camera, camcorder? Are there any priority features?

To shoot videos, you need high speed. Otherwise, the recording will slow down or even be interrupted. For HD video, it is recommended to use SD class 10 or higher. For 4K - U3. And if you decide to work with 8K, look for V60 or V90.

Such speeds are for professionals: operators, editors, filmmakers, bloggers. For "home shooting" V-cards are hardly suitable. And it's not even about the price. If you're into amateur videos, you won't need half of the drive's features. The same goes for car DVRs. But in action cameras, V-drives will come in handy.

For extreme sports (like Go-Pro motorcycle racing or rock climbing), choose wearables that can handle your active lifestyle. It will be a shame if the card fails and you lose valuable footage. The specifications say whether it is affected by temperature, sudden jumps, concussions or impacts. See also under what conditions the warranty expires.

If you want to take UHS-II for a phone, laptop or any other gadget, it must support this technology. That is - to read information from the second row of contacts. Otherwise, what's the point in them?

The best memory cards

It is impossible to say unequivocally which memory cards are worse or better. They are used for different purposes. One drive is suitable for the camera, the other for the phone, the third for storing information. Yes, users have different preferences. Browse through the rating that describes the pros and cons of various microSDs. So you can choose the right option.

Transcend

Transcend has several top-notch SD media. One of them is TS*USDHC10U1. This is a class 10 card made with UHS-1 technology. Available in 8, 16 and 32 GB options. Stable recording speed - 45 Mb / s. And a very high read speed - 90 Mb / s.

This card will work well in DVRs. Ideal for smartphones and tablets. You can watch HD video, listen to music, run applications and games. There will be no brakes or departures. The price of the drive is from 1200 rubles for 32 GB, 800 rubles for 16 GB and 500 rubles for 8 GB.

• These memory cards have a long service life.
• High reading speed.
• Good combination of price and quality. This is the best microSD storage you can buy for the price.
• There are practically no defective products.

• The maximum capacity is only 32 GB.

SanDisk UHS-3

Now let's turn our attention to SanDisk products. For example, on Extreme MicroSDXC Class 10 UHS Class 3. Its write speed - 40 Mb / s - is not suitable for filming in 4K. Reading speed also does not break records - it is about 60 Mb / s. So why is it one of the best MicroSD cards out there? As the name suggests, it uses UHS-3 technology. At the same time, its maximum capacity is 64 GB. Such indicators are quite enough for smartphones, tablets and laptops of the middle price category. With video in FullHD resolution, this SD card will definitely cope.

However, the drive itself is quite expensive - from 3000 rubles for 64 GB. And it is better not to connect it to the GoPro 4 Black camera. In it, the MicroSD will get very hot. But if you do not shoot in 2.7K and 4K, then there will be no problems.

• 64 GB options available.
• Very low chance of breakage.
• Good speed performance. Although it is not suitable for action cameras and professional equipment.

• Price.
• Do not use this card in devices that shoot 4K resolution.
• Doesn't work well with GoPro 4 Black camera.

Another member of the SanDisk family is the Extreme Plus UHS-I U3. And here he has speed indicators that can be envied: writing - 90 Mb / s, reading - 95 Mb / s. The maximum volume is 128 GB. There is support for 4K. This is a great option for video equipment. When recording in high resolution, there will be no freezes or crashes. The price of the product is from 2000 rubles for 32 GB, 5000 rubles for 64 GB and 8000 rubles for 128 GB. With such characteristics, it is quite acceptable.

The manufacturer's website states that the card is suitable for extreme conditions. You can shoot videos in the mountains or hiking. Even if your camera or smartphone breaks down, the drive will keep your files.

• There are models for 128 GB.
• High speed. You can record 4K without any problems.

• Such indicators will be useful only in a professional video camera. For a regular phone or tablet, they will be useless.

The first thing you should pay attention to in the SanDisk Ultra is the capacity. In such a small card fits as much as 200 gigabytes. On it you can download several seasons of the series or movies in HD. Music lovers will like it - after all, 10,000 music tracks will "fit" on it.

The drive is made according to the UHS-1 standard. Reading speed - 90 Mb / s. You can watch movies on the screen of your tablet or laptop - there will be no breaks or loss of quality. The write speed is about 40 Mb/s. Shooting in 4K resolution, of course, will not work. But for "home" use, it is suitable.

The price of the product is from 5000 rubles.

• 200 gigabyte memory.
• High reading speed.

• The recording speed does not allow for high-definition filming.

Kingston is a fairly well-known brand. The company provides a lifetime warranty on all of its products. So the acquired Kingston UHS-I U3 is unlikely to ever fail. It is suitable for video and photo equipment, game consoles, action cameras. The SD card has an impressive read-write speed of 95 and 90 Mb/s.

This model has an affordable price. The line has drives with a capacity of 32 and 64 GB. They can be purchased for 800 and 2000 rubles, respectively. But the 128 GB option is expensive - about 5,000 rubles.

Another representative of "high-speed" cards is Kingston SDCA3. It is unlikely to be used in smartphones, as its characteristics are more suitable for professional equipment. Write - 80 Mb / s, read - 90 Mb / s.

Of course, the drive can be purchased for phones. But it is expensive - 1500 rubles for 32 GB, 2500 rubles for 64 GB and 5000 rubles for 128 GB.

And here is Kingston for mobile phones. The SDCA10 has an average write speed of 45 Mb/s. But for smartphone cameras, it is ideal. Even if the device shoots in HD. But the reading speed is at a high level - 90 Mb / s. Recording a video in 4K will not work, but watching it is fine.

The price of the card is quite high for such parameters: 1300 rubles for 32 GB and 2500 rubles for 64 GB.

Conclusion

These are the best microSD memory cards at the moment. They have advantages and disadvantages. These drives are used in various fields of activity. Therefore, one product is unlikely to suit everyone at once. And technology doesn't stand still. Someday there will be carriers with higher rates.

Cameras, smartphones, tablets used by most users provide for the use of SD memory cards. They have been constantly improved over time to meet increasing needs. They are evaluated according to several indicators, and in order to facilitate the selection process, the article “Which memory card to choose for a smartphone. Rating of the best 2017 ”, considering each parameter, and written.

Type and brand

Unlike most computer devices, cameras are more selective when it comes to compatibility with various SD cards. Namely, the compatibility of the first and second should be paid attention first of all. For cameras whose digital storage is flash drives, cards marked SDXC and SDHC are perfect. Another nuance - outdated card models, for sure, will not be accepted by modern photographic equipment due to the large difference in the capabilities of equipment in comparison with drives.

Classification

SDHC and SDXC have small mechanical limits for writing or deleting data. If you move such a limiter, then you can be sure that a random map filled with the necessary data will not suffer from formatting or erasing part of the information.

Adapters

Now great demands are placed on the universality of electronic media. The kit includes adapters that allow you to easily work with the necessary files from a flash drive on other devices. The micro-SDXC format, often used in smartphones, also comes with adapters and can be easily applied to the camera.

Capacity

Memory cards vary greatly in size. The best options are 16, 32 and 64 GB. This volume is quite enough, although absolute “giants” up to 1 TB are also produced, which corresponds to the volume of a computer hard drive.

Burst shooting

If the plans include frequent continuous shooting, then the “small” map can unexpectedly let you down, simply filling up. It is better to make a choice in favor of the “bigger” fellow. The optimal solution is to use several cards of medium capacity. The simultaneous presence of two cards in the camera at once is provided by modern models of photographic equipment.

Speed ​​and performance

To select the desired card, you should study the marks on it. The marking gives information about the data transfer rate. The digital mark indicates the minimum speed parameters. These cards are suitable for video up to Full HD resolution.

4K resolution requires ultra-high speed. For this, UHS class cards are produced. Marks 1 and 3 on them will mean the speed multiplied by 10.

They also produce cards for 8K VSC class video, which are very rarely used by non-professionals.

compact flash

There is equipment that does not use SD cards. For such cameras, the CompactFlash format was invented, suitable for CFast and XQD slots. Such cards are labeled UDMA 7.

Physical security

The Samsung EVO memory card is considered by cautious users as the best solution, as it has a greater degree of protection against water or X-rays.

Lexar and Sandisk are solid manufacturers, but there is also an alternative to their products on the market - Kingston and Transcend products at a lower price. Premium cards are produced by Toshiba and Samsung. 4K resolution is now gaining great popularity, and to choose the right drive, of course, if you have the appropriate photographic equipment, you can consider several worthy representatives.

Rating of memory cards for smartphones in 2019.

1. SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB

The SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB lives up to its claims and does the job perfectly.

2. Memory card Samsung MicroSDXC Pro+ MB-MD64DA 64GB

The Samsung MicroSDXC Pro+ MB-MD64DA 64GB model demonstrates excellent functionality.

3. Kingston SDXC UHS-I U3 64GB

7

The Kingston SDXC UHS-I U3 64GB model is the fastest in the company's products and shows decent results when using it.

Models Transcend SDXC UHS-I U3 64GB and Lexar Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I 64GB compete with the above representatives.

It would seem that it is difficult to buy a memory card. We decided on the required volume, found a good offer and bought it. It is because of this approach of users that some manufacturers flagship smartphones with expandable memory. If you have a microSD card handy, take a look at how much is written on it. This information will help you make the right choice.

Why bother with all this?

This is the question to start with. Imagine that you have bought a new modern flagship smartphone with memory card support, for example, LG G4. Such a smartphone should easily cope with all tasks, but suddenly you notice that the camera and other applications of your smartphone do not work as fast as you expected. This is possible if you are using a memory card that is not fast enough, where photos are saved and from which your applications take data. However, nothing prevents you from paying a little attention to the issue and choosing the memory card with which the smartphone can please you all the time.

What is the difference between SDHC and microSDXC?

When buying a memory card, you should pay attention to these large four letters, but the difference between these two standards is only in the amount of data supported. SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) allows you to store up to 32 gigabytes of data, while SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) can handle 64 gigabytes or more. The problem is that not all devices support SDXC cards and such a large amount of memory. Check the information about the capabilities of your smartphone before buying a memory card for 64 or 128 gigabytes.

What does the memory map class say?

MicroSD memory cards can be class 2, 4, 6 and 10 and this is something you should really look into. These numbers indicate the supported data transfer rate, and while a microSD memory card can write data at a minimum of 2 MB/s, a Class 10 memory card operates at a minimum of 10 MB/s. It's not that hard. It is important to understand that we are talking about the minimum write speed, and with good memory cards, the data reading speed can reach up to 95 MB / s.

What does UHS mean?

Another piece of memory card information you might see is UHS-1 or UHS-3 compatibility. Such microSD memory cards began to appear in 2009. In theory, a UHS card can support data transfer rates up to 321 MB/s, but you should focus on the minimum speed: 10 MB/s for UHS-1 and 30 MB/s for UHS-3. In fact, if you plan to use the card in a smartphone, you should not focus on this, smartphones do not support UHS.

What else is important to know?

It would be nice to get a memory card from one of the trusted manufacturers, such as SanDisk, or Kingston. It is also worth paying attention to the cost. If you suddenly find a suspiciously cheap memory card, you should be wary of it.

According to AndroidPit

If you have gadgets, then you are probably faced with the fact that you need to choose a memory card for a tablet, camera, DVR, smartphone. Most likely, some kind of memory is already built into the device, but if you want to upload and use photos and videos, then it will not be enough. If you look at the cards, you will think that they are not so different, but this is a completely wrong idea. Now we will tell you about how to choose an inexpensive but good memory card, just for your device. Then all your data will be securely stored. And for those who have little time, a video instruction from experts is attached.

Devices presented in various stores are divided into several types. Usually, the map has its characteristics written on it and where it can be used. So for example, if you have a camera, then most likely you will need an SD.

Photo memory cards

But this type is divided into subtypes by capacity: large and extra large. And if your camera is 10 years old, then you will not be able to use a large capacity. And if even more, then the extra-large will not work either.

A camera designed for professionals is equipped with a memory card called CF. This abbreviation stands for "CompactFlash" and means that this card can also be used as a flash drive. It has a large volume and high-speed recording. But not every camera can work with high speed transmission. You should take this into account before choosing a good memory card.

It is best to have direct access to the memory. Compact smartphones and tablets use microSD. The same card can be applied to some cameras and DVRs.

But despite the name, this memory card for gadgets is as functional as the rest. Some manufacturers come up with their own flash drives. Then the device should have a combo slot or two.

Each memory card has its own capacity. It means that a certain amount of information will fit on it. The larger the volume, the more information, and the higher the price. So how much memory do you need? A lot depends on your device. For example, 2-4 GB is enough for phones, some support 8, but you need to find out if the device will not “fail”. But for a DVR or camera, you need at least 16.

In addition, the resolution of the image directly affects the volume. The larger it is, the larger the volume required. The best is 128, but don't forget to check that the mechanism supports such a large volume and does not "bug" when used. This is important because many beginners then face this problem and think that the problem is in the gadget, but it turns out that the memory card was chosen incorrectly.

The more various small details in the picture, the better it is, and the more space it needs. The same can be said about video. Let's take an example. Let's say you have a video clip that has the RAW format. Its one frame will take 30 MB. Imagine that you are shooting a wonderful winter landscape or relaxing on the beach, and suddenly you find that there is not enough space on your memory card. Therefore, if you are thinking about how to choose a memory card, then get 32 ​​GB.

Below in the photo you can see a sign that tells how many videos and pictures can be recorded on a particular card.

Memory table

A person bought a memory card for himself and often does not even know that it has speed. And yet it is very important. If you are recording Full HD video, then the low speed will cause shooting to be interrupted every now and then. If you shoot a series of frames, the camera will freeze. It is very uncomfortable. Therefore, you need to know which card is slow and which is fast.

The most common cards are SD. They always show the speed.

CD card speed parameters

Which class of memory card is better? The table above shows that the smaller the class, the lower the speed. Let's say the second class is selected. So the speed will be 2 MB. In this case, the real speed is indicated.

How to choose the right class? For example, you shoot Full HD video. The minimum class required is sixth, but 10 is better. If the memory card is fast, then you can shoot at least every day and take a series of shots. While photos are being written to a slow card, you will miss out on cool shots.

Let's say you shoot people, animals, or machines that move fast. Then you need more speed - from 30 to 45 mb / s. The first is the minimum, the intervals between a series of shots will be short when the shots taken are written to the card. If you are a professional photographer, how to choose a memory card? Of course, high-speed - at least 100 Mbps.

But the speed of reading is not so important. It is similar to the write speed or may be higher than it. Therefore, when you buy a memory card that has a high write speed, then know that the write speed will be the same.

It's important to know

While the card is in the gadget, it is protected. But if you pull her out, then anything can happen to her. For example, she falls. Or exposed to sunlight. Maybe it will be very cold, and this also adversely affects the memory card. There is nothing worse than soaking it in water. It is strictly forbidden to expose it to x-rays. Therefore, at airports, you need to put the card into the device.

It is important to know that such cards are also sold that have protection against this effect. So check with the seller.

Best cards

Now you know the characteristics and you can choose an inexpensive, but good option for your gadget. The devices are different, and the parameters you need are also different, and each is important. Therefore, first determine the type of device. There are top memory cards, where the best memory cards are presented.

Don't forget to talk to buyers to get opinions on the models and their features. It is better to choose a device that has already been tested in operation. It is important to remember about the price-quality ratio.

SD and SDHC:

• The first is Sandisk, and the Extreme SDHC UHS Class 3 60MB/s model.
• The second is Kingston and the SDA10 model.
• And the third is Transcend, model TS*SDU1.

Micro - SD,SDHC and SDXC:

• Our first is Sandisk, and two models: Ultra microSDHC Class 10 UHS-I 48MB/s and Extreme microSDXC Class 10 UHS Class 3 60MB/s.
• The second is Transcend, and the model is TS*USDHC10U1.

CompactFlash:

• Allocate Silicon, and the Power 400X Professional Compact Flash Card model.

Output

Now you know a lot, and you won't buy a bad thing. Specify the finances and the required volume and feel free to go to the store.

Today we will talk about memory cards for DVRs and action cameras. I think you know that not every memory card will work correctly in your registrar. How to choose the right memory card? What should you pay attention to when choosing a memory card and which models/brands should you recommend?

Why won't any card work?

Modern DVRs record in HD/FullHD/QHD resolution, and every year there is a trend of increasing the number of pixels. But, in addition to resolution, there is also a bitrate. This is the speed of the stream being written to the memory card, depending on the model, even with the same resolution, this parameter can change quite a lot. The manufacturer of the DVR often writes in the instructions - support for MicroSD memory cards (the most popular format) up to 32/64/128/256GB 10th grade. But he usually does not write anything about the bitrate of his stream. You can find out these numbers only by looking at the technical information of the recorded video or the profile branch of the forum of the selected gadget model.

How to choose a memory card

Without going into the technical details of memory chips (MLC NAND is better) and specifications, pay attention to the 2 main characteristics of the card, indicated right on it. These are the speed class (class 10) and the UHS parameter (U1 or U3).

If you have:

• 2 channel device
• 1 channel device with average recording bitrate
• device with QHD resolution (2k)

Then regular class 10 memory cards will still work for you. from index U1 and recording speed from 18 to 22 mb/s. It should be borne in mind that a class 10 card provides a minimum speed of 10mb / s, and this may not be enough in most modern DVRs. Therefore, it is not worth simply navigating by class. Do not look at the loud labels on the packaging of memory cards. Usually there is not a write speed, but a read speed. It is the recording that is important to us, as a rule, this characteristic is much more modest than reading, so marketers try to hide it. If you have:

• 4k action camera/dvr
• DVR with QHD resolution for 2 cameras
• device with very high recording bitrate

Most likely you will need a class 10 memory card with index U3. It provides minimal recording at speeds up to 30mb/s. In some cases, this will not be enough, so for 4k with a bitrate of more than 70-100mbit / s, we recommend top (or pre-top) cards with the U3 index in the line of various brands, where the recording speed is from 50mb / s.

How to find out the WRITE speed on a memory card?

Only empirically through special programs. Before buying, you need to look for tests on the memory card of your choice on the Internet and see the write speed. Or you can test the memory card yourself using the CrystalDiskMark program. Please note that many cards will only show maximum write speeds if they have a USB3.0 capable card reader, so should your USB port on your laptop or computer. When testing, the computer should not perform any other tasks.

More programs

1. Mydisktest - a program for testing USB Flash media for bad sections
2. Panasonic SD formatter - heals and restores almost any flash drive for mobile devices and more
3. Check Flash - designed to check the performance of flash drives, and also allows you to use tests to determine the instantaneous read / write speed

How to format a memory card

Attention, like all manufacturers in their instructions, we advise you to format any memory card once every 2 months at least if you want to extend its life. This can be done both with the built-in tools of the camera or recorder, and on your computer. Never format an Sdxc memory card (often this is a capacity of 64gb or more) in devices that support the Sdhc type. Your card reader or adapter must be able to work with Sdxc.

You can use a special program for PC or MAC called SD Card Formatter. Set the options in the settings as shown in the figure on the right.

Best Memory Card for DVR

Unfortunately, not all memory cards, even from well-known brands, are so reliable. Recommended brands to look out for: Sony, Toshiba, Lexar, Transcend, Samsung, Pny.

Finally, let's see a list of specific memory cards that we recommend to buy and use.

TOP 5 most popular memory cards you will find in our other article,.

In the regular recording segment from 15 to 22 Mbit/s of the U1 index

• transcend premium 300x 16/32/64
• transcend premium 400x 16/32/64/128
• transcend high endurance U1 16/32/64
• transcend ultimate 600x 8/16/32
• toshiba exceria U1 16/32/64/128
• lexar high endurance U1 16/32/64
• lexar 300x U1 16/32/64
• lexar 600x U1 16/32/64/128
• Sony SR-UY3A U1 16/32/64/128
• samsung evo U1 16/32/64/128

In the segment of increased bitrate up to 50m mbit/s index U3

• Sony SR-UX2A u3 16/32/64/128
• toshiba exceria U3 32/64
• transcend ultimate U3M 16/32/64/128
• samsung pro U3 16/32/64
• samsung evo + U3 32/64/128/256
• viofo U3 32/64
• transcend USD300S 16/32/64/128
• transcend C10V High Endurance 16/32/64/128
• viofo Professional High Endurance

In the segment of high bitrate from 80 mbit/s index U3

• transcend ultimate 633x U3 32/64
• toshiba exceria PRO U3 32/64
• lexar professional 1000x 32/64/126/256
• lexar professional 1800x 32/64/128
• samsung pro+ U3 32/64/128
• viofo U3 32/64
• transcend USD500S 16/32/64/128

For 4k action cameras cards from Sandisk or kingston with U3 index may be suitable, v30, A1. They work for a long time, since action cameras do not record continuously.

Warranty

You have probably seen that many manufacturers of memory cards give a long warranty period, from 3 to 5 or more years. And even a lifetime warranty. Alas, this warranty has limitations, usually stated in the fine print in the terms and conditions, and certainly does not cover devices with frequent data overwrites, such as action cameras and dash cams. Therefore, do not rely on full warranty service when used in registrars. For example, here is a screenshot of the Samsung card warranty conditions using one as an example:

conclusions

Take the right choice of a memory card for your gadget, do not buy unknown Chinese brands on Aliexpress for use in a DVR or action camera, they are suitable for simpler devices such as a smartphone or player.

If you definitely want to take a good card, choose nand flash memory type MLC or SLC. This type of memory allows you to overwrite cells 2-2.5 times more than conventional ones on TLC chips.

Our always in the kit supplies only branded cards from well-known manufacturers at the speed that is required for your device.