A microSD card, also known as a microSDHC or microSDXC card, is a type of removable flash memory card used for storing photos, videos, music and other files on small, portable devices such as smartphones, tablets and action cameras. With onboard storage capacity in phones and tablets being relatively limited, microSD cards allow you to vastly expand the storage space on your device. But are they really necessary these days? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.
The case for microSD cards
Here are some of the main reasons why you may want to consider using a microSD card:
Extra storage space
This is the most obvious advantage – being able to increase the storage capacity of your device. Many entry-level phones and tablets only come with 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage which can easily fill up with apps, photos, videos and music. Popping in a microSD card gives you instant extra space, with cards available offering anywhere from 32GB up to 1TB of storage.
Transfer media between devices
A microSD card makes it easy to transfer photos, videos and other media between devices. You can remove the card from your phone or camera, plug it into your computer and transfer or backup files. It’s also useful if you want to move files to a new phone.
Store media externally
For avid photographers and videographers, being able to store all your media on a removable microSD card can be advantageous. It prevents your phone’s internal storage from filling up too quickly. And if anything happens to the phone, the irreplaceable photos and videos remain safely on the external card.
Use on multiple devices
If you use a microSD card to store media like music, ebooks and movies, you can use it interchangeably between devices like phones, tablets, laptops and e-readers. It’s like having a USB drive built into your phone.
Security/privacy
Sensitive files stored on a microSD can be removed from a device more easily if need be. This makes a microSD card useful for storing private, personal or work-related files and data. The card can be locked, encrypted or simply removed and stored safely away when not being used in a device.
Backup device storage
You can set your phone or tablet to automatically backup files and data to a microSD card. This protects you in case the internal storage fails or your device is damaged, lost or stolen.
Cheaper than onboard storage upgrades
Upgrading to a phone with more onboard storage can add significantly to the cost of the device. A 128GB microSD card on the other hand can be purchased very cheaply. So they provide a more budget-friendly way to get more storage.
Future-proof your device
Phones and tablets don’t tend to have upgradable internal storage, so buying a model with a card slot allows you to increase storage later if need be by just buying a larger capacity microSD card.
The case against microSD cards
However, there are also some downsides and reasons why microSD cards may not be necessary for some users:
Onboard storage is more than enough
Modern smartphone storage capacities have increased substantially. Entry-level devices now come with 64GB+ and many flagship devices offer 128GB, 256GB or even 512GB storage. For many users, this is more than enough built-in storage for apps plus photos, videos and media, without needing external memory.
No microSD slot on many phones
Lots of phones, particularly more expensive flagship devices, no longer include microSD card slots. So unless you opt for a cheaper budget or mid-range phone, you may not even have the option of expanding with a card.
Slower performance
MicroSD cards and the card readers in devices tend to offer slower data transfer speeds compared to onboard flash storage. This means apps, games and files stored on a card may load more slowly.
Not ideal for apps or games
It’s not recommended to store apps on microSD cards due to the slower speeds. And many apps don’t even allow you to move them to a card. So the extra storage is more useful for files and media, not apps.
Easy to lose or damage
As they’re so small and removable, it’s easy to misplace a microSD card. They can also potentially become corrupted or damaged, leading to data loss. Cloud storage provides a safer backup for photos, videos and files.
Security risks
While microSD provides more privacy in some ways, the cards are also small enough to be easily stolen and inserted into another device. Without encryption enabled, this gives someone access to your data.
Not always necessary for transfer/backup
With cloud storage services and wireless sharing/syncing features on modern devices, it’s not essential to use a physical card to transfer files or backup your data.
Extra cost
MicroSD cards provide a more budget way to add substantial storage compared to pricier high-capacity phones. But it’s still an extra cost to factor in, whereas onboard storage comes built into a phone you’re already buying.
When is a microSD card useful?
Based on their advantages and drawbacks, here are some examples of when it can be beneficial for a phone to have a microSD slot:
- You take lots of photos and shoot video with your phone – extra storage for media is helpful
- You store movies, playlists and other media on your phone for entertainment
- You regularly transfer files between devices and need a quick removable storage option
- You want to backup irreplaceable data like photos in case your phone is damaged or lost
- You use your phone for work and need to store sensitive business files
- You have an entry-level or mid-range phone with limited built-in storage
- You can’t afford high-cost phones with 128GB+ onboard storage
In these sorts of use cases, having the flexibility to pop in a microSD card can be extremely handy. But if you mainly use your phone for apps, gaming and social media and have plenty of onboard storage, you may find you can easily manage without needing external memory.
What size microSD card is best?
MicroSD cards are available in sizes from 4GB up to 1TB. Here are some tips on choosing the right card capacity:
- 32GB: A good starter size if you just want some extra basic storage
- 64GB: Allows you to store quite a few apps, photos and media files
- 128GB: A popular mid-range size, provides substantial storage for most
- 200GB+: Ideal for power users who store lots of large files and media
- 1TB: Overkill for most, but great if you shoot 4K video or just never want to run out of space
Think about your storage needs – like how many photos/videos you take and number of apps/games used. Pick the smallest size that will comfortably cover your requirements, as higher capacities cost more. It’s also good to leave yourself some room to grow into.
Which brand of microSD card to buy?
Major brands to look for include:
- Samsung – excellent performance and reliability
- SanDisk – top choice for durability and speed
- Kingston – good value option
- Lexar – great for high resolution photos/videos
- Sony – fast and sturdy cards
Check reviews and benchmarks to compare read/write speeds when choosing a card. Avoid cheap generic cards from unknown brands – it’s worth spending a little more for a quality card from an established brand.
How to use a microSD card
Using a microSD card is simple:
1. Insert the card – slide it into the microSD slot on your phone or device. Should click neatly into place.
2. Format the card – open your phone’s Storage settings and find the card’s details. Tap to format it correctly for the device.
3. Set default storage location – go into your camera, gallery, file manager and music apps. Update the settings so that new files save directly to the SD card by default.
4. Move files/media to card – open your file manager app and select files to transfer from internal storage over to the SD card.
5. Eject the card before removing – important to eject from the Storage settings before physically removing. Prevents corruption.
Tips for microSD cards
To get the most from your microSD storage, keep these tips in mind:
– Check card compatibility – confirm your device supports the size of card you are purchasing.
– Disable apps on card – don’t store apps on SD, only files/media. Apps run slower from external storage.
– Encrypt your card – use the device’s encryption settings for better security if you store sensitive info.
– Unmount before removing – always eject the card properly in Settings before taking it out of your phone.
– Handle carefully – don’t touch the gold contacts, keep away from liquids, extremes of heat, and strong magnets.
– Regularly backup – data on a SD card should be backed up elsewhere as the cards can become corrupted over time.
Conclusion
While onboard storage capacities continue to increase, microSD cards retain usefulness by providing affordable extra space for media and files. They are especially handy for budget phone owners or avid photographers/videographers. But not all phones support expandable storage now, and quick cloud backups often negate the need for physical media.
Overall there are still many benefits to having a microSD card slot and the ability to augment your phone’s storage cheaply with removable flash memory. But it’s not an absolute necessity for every smartphone owner, with some able to comfortably manage within built-in storage limits. Think about your own usage habits and storage requirements when deciding if investing in an external microSD card makes sense.