What Are Memory Cards: How To Choose By Capacity And Speed Class

A memory card allows you not to overload the permanent memory of mobile devices, which can slow down the work of some applications. Also, additional storage is necessary when the device’s internal (built-in) disk space is small.

External storage is mainly purchased to increase the capacity of the backup unit:

  • video recorders
  • digital cameras
  • smartphones, tablets
  • camcorders, etc.

In a memory card, you can save photos, videos, documents, audio recordings, graphic files, installation programs, etc. At the same time, the minimum memory capacity of the device allows you to create a whole library of files with large megabytes. You can record and store any media files, including games and various applications. Considering these factors, it is easy to understand why you need a memory card on your phone.

What Is A Memory Card?

The question of what a memory card is can be answered in an elementary way. It is a device where information is digitally recorded and stored for consistent use for necessary purposes. SD cards started to be manufactured in 1999. They were first developed by the giant companies SanDisk, Panasonic, and Toshiba.

According to their size, external storage media are divided into three classes:

  • SD
  • Micro SD
  • mini SD

The first two have found wider application, and the 3rd is already a rarity. You can use a memory card with the help of a special adapter or by inserting it into the device’s socket. In the first option, the chip transmits information to other devices (for example, to a computer or camera).

The Importance Of An Adapter’s Presence 

The adapter is a memory card reader that turns microSD into an SD card. It is usually included in the device’s original equipment. But if necessary, you can buy it separately. The presence of an adapter allows you to quickly solve the problem of viewing a memory card on a computer or laptop. A compact micro SD card (11×15 mm) is designed for phones, smartphones, book-riders, tablets, audio players, etc. They are often inserted on a watch.

The release of updated generations of external drives is still ongoing. Both memory size and speed of reading information can categorize them.

In today’s world, the question of what an SD card is is rare. Many people understand what this maxi-card is for. It is the largest in size (24×32 mm) and is suitable for printers, computers, game consoles, laptops, and cameras.

Formats

In today’s business and marketing insights, SD cards play a pivotal role in capturing and storing vast amounts of data, facilitating seamless transfer and analysis of multimedia content. Their versatility and compact design make SD cards indispensable for businesses, enabling efficient data management and content distribution across various marketing platforms.

SD cards are divided into the following subtypes:

  • SDUC – maximum card capacities up to 128 Tbytes (128,000 GB) are offered here
  • SDXC – 32GB to 2TB (2000GB)
  • SDHC – 4-32 gigabytes of today’s more popular media
  • SD1.1 – maximum drive size of 4 GB or less
  • SD1.0 – the volume of these cards does not exceed 2 GB

To find an answer to the question, what is the difference between micro SD and micro SDHC memory cards, it is enough to find out the volume of plug-in storage. The first option is able to place information in the size of only 2-4 GB, and the other from 4 gigabytes.

New gadgets are equipped with a universal connector that supports any format, but older mobile devices may need to recognize updated generations of SD cards. They are incompatible with later types. Therefore, the question about the difference between micro SDHC and SDXC remains relevant since only some things depend on the limit of gigabytes here. In this situation, you need to focus on the device parameters for which the chip is intended.