World's fastest micro-SDXC card launched by SanDisk

Flash storage specialist and inventor of the micro-SD card, SanDisk, has launched a new range of Extreme micro-SDHC and micro-SDXC UHS-I memory cards. These speedy little memory cards offer capacities up to 64GB and read and write speeds of up to 80MB/s and 50MB/s respectively. SanDisk says the new memory cards are "the ideal companions for users who want fast expanded memory for the newest smartphones, tablets and cameras".

SanDisk's new micro-SDXC is rated as both Speed Class 10 and designated a new class; "UHG Speed Class 1" or U1 for short. The high speeds on offer complement the higher processing speeds of the latest smartphones, cameras and camcorders "allowing faster shot-to-shot performance, rapid data transfer, fast action photography, continuous burst mode and quick file transfers" as well as a great, fast storage upgrade for your micro-SD compatible smartphone or tablet.

"Most high-end smartphones are now driven by high-speed quad-core processors, which deliver Full HD content and applications to large, high-resolution external displays," said Stuart Robinson, director, handset component technologies service, Strategy Analytics. "Such applications require high memory bandwidth which is ideal for the SanDisk Extreme micro-SDXC card, the world's fastest micro-SDXC memory solution."

These new memory cards are available worldwide now, with capacities available as follows; 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Potential buyers should note that the 16GB versions offer significantly lower write speeds; "Up to 80/30MB/s read/write speed (16 GB)". The 32GB and 64GB cards offer up to 80/50MB/s read/write speeds.

The waterproof, shockproof, heat resistant (operating temperatures range from -13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit or -25ºC to 85 ºC), magnet proof and x-ray proof memory storage cards come with a lifetime limited warranty. If you take your mobile device to the mountains ocean or desert, "even if your device doesn't survive, your SanDisk memory card will." An adapter is supplied with all cards to offer size compatibility with full size SD/SDHC/SDXC supporting devices. SanDisk also offer free RescuePro Deluxe data recovery software, an undelete utility. Prices start from £25 for the 16GB memory cards.

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Great, I'm glad that when I die of thirst, I can record my final messages to my loved ones safe in the knowledge that the memory card will survive, and when my dessicated corpse is found thirty years down the line, my messages will be played back to my descendants. Except they won't have any devices capable of reading a micro-SD card.

Unless they literally mean “lifetime limited warranty”…

An important thing to note, after a bit of research I found the class ratings only really apply to sequential access, which is generally appropriate for camera use, but a lot of the ‘high speed’ cards seem to have abysmal random performance which is often important for things like app performance on phones. I think Sandisk generally do quite well here, but it's something to bear in mind.

http://www.tested.com/tech/454029-best-microsd-card-sandisk-ultra/
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/microsdhc-memory-card-performance,3011-12.html
http://static.usenix.org/events/fast/tech/full_papers/Kim.pdf

My - slightly cynical - question is this … will any of today's smartphones be able to make use of this higher speed card? Last time I looked there were a few articles saying that the likes of the S3 weren't exactly pushing the limits of UHS-1. Also good timing to launch when a lot of manufacturers seem to be phasing out removable memory in favour of iPhone-style fixed allocation (which I really don't like).

“even if your device doesn't survive, your SanDisk memory card will.”

:embarrassed: No one mention the issue Sandisk had the end of last year with batches of UHS-1 cards going flaky with no warning and then failing completely. I got bit by that myself (32GB in my Note 10.1) and the only redeeming feature of it was that at least Sandisk were kind enough to replace the failed card with no real hassle. The lack of hassle being the main reason why I bought another one of those cards this week.

watercooled
An important thing to note, after a bit of research I found the class ratings only really apply to sequential access, which is generally appropriate for camera use, but a lot of the ‘high speed’ cards seem to have abysmal random performance which is often important for things like app performance on phones.

When you say “abysmal performance” I take it that you're speaking in relative terms? Then again, photo storage seems like a good use for these cards, plus music (which I'm guessing would also benefit from the high sequential access you mention?). In the meantime I'll take a couple of minutes to peruse those links you kindly provided.

watercooled
An important thing to note, after a bit of research I found the class ratings only really apply to sequential access, which is generally appropriate for camera use, but a lot of the ‘high speed’ cards seem to have abysmal random performance which is often important for things like app performance on phones. I think Sandisk generally do quite well here, but it's something to bear in mind.

I always kept my apps on the phone built in memory even when I had an SD card in, made it less annoying to swap cards… not an issue with my Nexus 4 now of course, TBH I kind of prefer the built in memory and would like to see high end phones readily available in multiple sizes (like iPhone) and focussing more on using faster solutions. It seems the speed of the memory is often neglected against CPU/RAM/screen and someone could turn it into a marketing differentiator…

watercooled
An important thing to note, after a bit of research I found the class ratings only really apply to sequential access, which is generally appropriate for camera use, but a lot of the ‘high speed’ cards seem to have abysmal random performance which is often important for things like app performance on phones. I think Sandisk generally do quite well here, but it's something to bear in mind.

For the most part, it used the be the case that as sequencial speed went up, the random access speed got worse. There was a direct correlation between the two for most cards. People were not crazy when they used class 2 and 4 cards in their Android phones with A2SD - they were just faster in the area needed for that application.

I think things are getting better now as the technology improves even more, but it's something to be aware of.

World's fastest micro-SDXC card launched by SanDisk

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