SD cards were first introduced in 1999 by Panasonic, SanDisk and Toshiba as an evolution of MultiMediaCards (MMC). The SD format quickly became popular and widespread due to its compact size, good performance and reliability. While cloud storage has become more prevalent, SD cards continue to have advantages that explain their ongoing popularity. This article will examine the key benefits of SD cards and why they are still widely used today despite cloud storage.
SD cards have seen many improvements over the years while retaining the same overall format. Capacities have grown enormously from just a few megabytes initially to multiple terabytes today. Speeds have also increased substantially thanks to interfaces like UHS-II. This long history and continued evolution shows the versatility and staying power of the SD card format.
While onboard storage and cloud backups meet many needs today, SD cards still offer unique portability, broad device compatibility, reliability and cost-effectiveness. They remain ideal for transferring and accessing data across devices. SD cards will likely continue to be a vital storage medium into the future.
Portability
One of the main advantages of SD cards is their small size and light weight. SD cards are roughly the size of a postage stamp and weigh just a few grams, making them extremely portable. This portability allows users to easily transfer files between devices without needing an internet connection. For example, someone could take photos or videos on a digital camera, remove the SD card, insert it into a laptop, and transfer the files – no cables or wifi needed. The diminutive size also means SD cards take up little space in bags and pockets. Portable devices like cameras can be made smaller and lighter by relying on removable SD cards rather than large internal storage. Overall, the tiny form factor and negligible weight of SD cards makes them a convenient way to store and transfer data on the go.
Sources:
https://storables.com/data-storage/sd-cards/how-important-are-sd-cards/
Reliability
SD cards utilize proven, sturdy technology that makes them highly reliable for most everyday uses. When used properly, SD cards can be quite dependable according to experts (“When done properly, SD cards are reliable enough. For my digital signage product the custom OS is highly optimized around avoiding IO as much as possible, and the cards last for years until they are obsolete and need an upgrade.”, 2022).
SD cards are not as prone to data corruption issues compared to other storage mediums. They can withstand harsh environments and continue working in extreme conditions where cloud storage would not be available or dependable. This makes them a reliable choice for applications like trail cameras, drones, and other outdoor gear where internet access is limited (“I found that SD cards are reliable until you put heavy write applications on them. Don’t run MySQL or MQTT on an SD card, stick with an SSD.”, 2018).
With their sturdy and sophisticated technology, SD cards offer reliable portable storage without the risks of data corruption or reliance on internet connectivity in rough conditions.
Affordability
SD cards provide an extremely affordable way to store photos, videos, music, and other files. With prices as low as $0.10 per GB, SD cards offer excellent value compared to other storage mediums like external hard drives or cloud storage subscriptions.
One of the main advantages of SD cards is that there are no recurring fees or ongoing costs associated with them. Once you purchase the SD card, you can use it indefinitely without having to pay a monthly or yearly subscription. This makes SD cards a very cost-effective long term storage solution compared to cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive which charge a monthly fee for expanded storage capacity.
Overall, the low upfront cost per GB combined with no recurring fees make SD cards one of the most budget-friendly ways to store large amounts of data. As Sentinatech Series Micro SD Flash Memory Cards demonstrate, high capacity SD cards with up to 128GB of storage can be purchased for under $20, yielding a cost per GB less than $0.10 in many cases.
Compatibility
SD cards are supported across a wide variety of devices and platforms thanks to their universal compatibility standard (source). This allows SD cards to be easily used across multiple devices like cameras, phones, tablets, drones, consoles, and more without needing to reformat (source). The SD standard is widely supported by all major device manufacturers and card companies, ensuring seamless cross-platform usage. Even as new versions like SDXC and SDHC emerge, they maintain backwards compatibility (source). SD cards can contain the letters A1 or A2, indicating their speed class – this does not affect fundamental compatibility, only the supported write speeds. Ultimately, the universal SD standard is a key reason the format remains popular – one card can readily be used across all your devices.
Capacity
SD cards are available in large capacities up to 1TB and beyond, which is sufficient for most everyday storage needs. While free cloud storage plans typically offer around 5-15GB, high capacity SD cards provide far more local storage space. For example, SanDisk offers SD cards up to 1TB which provides over 1000 times the storage space of basic free cloud plans (Source). Large capacity SD cards in the 64GB to 256GB range are common and affordable, providing ample space for photos, videos, music, documents, and more without relying on internet connectivity.
Speed
One of the advantages of SD cards is their fast read/write speeds, especially with the latest versions like SDXC. This quick speed allows SD cards to rapidly transfer files; some of the fastest models now approach SSD speeds. For example, SanDisk’s new Extreme Pro SDXC card has read speeds up to 90MB/s and write speeds up to 60MB/s according to its specifications. High-endurance SD cards designed for continuous video recording can sustain minimum write speeds of 30MB/s. While certainly not as fast as an internal SSD, these speeds allow quick transfers for photos, videos, documents, and more.
Security
One of the key advantages of SD cards is security. Unlike storing data in the cloud, SD cards keep data offline and under the full control of the user. There are no third parties involved and no servers that could potentially be hacked. This makes SD cards highly attractive for storing sensitive information.
Many SD cards also come with the option to encrypt data. Encryption scrambles the data so that it cannot be read without the proper key or password. This adds an extra layer of protection in case the SD card gets lost or stolen. The level of encryption can vary based on the specific card and device being used. For example, some Android devices allow full SD card encryption tied to the lock screen password (Source). On Windows, users can utilize BitLocker or other encryption software to encrypt SD card contents (Source).
Specific Use Cases
SD cards are commonly used in several devices and applications where removable storage is important. Some of the most common specific use cases for SD cards include:
Cameras/Drones: SD cards are the standard removable storage used in digital cameras and drones to store photos and videos. The speed and capacity offered by SD cards allows them to handle high resolution imagery.
Gaming Consoles: Many gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch use SD cards to expand the internal storage. This allows gamers to install more games and apps than the built-in capacity allows.
Car Audio/GPS: SD cards can store maps and music in car GPS navigation systems and audio players. The cards are easily removable for updating maps or adding new playlists.
Raspberry Pi: The Raspberry Pi hobbyist computer relies on SD cards for booting up and storing the operating system and files. SD cards provide a simple storage solution for Pi projects.
Sources:
https://nybsys.com/sim-card-vs-sd-card/
https://driveshero.com/external-ssd-vs-sd-card/
Conclusion
In summary, SD cards remain a highly popular storage medium for many good reasons. As we’ve discussed, SD cards offer excellent portability, reliability, affordability, compatibility, capacity, speed, and security for a wide variety of use cases. Key benefits that were highlighted include the ability to easily transfer and access data across devices, the durability and longevity of SD cards, their declining prices, universal compatibility with cameras and other electronics, the ample storage capacities now available, sufficient speeds for most applications, and built-in security features to protect sensitive data.
Despite the rise of cloud storage and other new technologies, SD cards are likely to remain a highly relevant, widely-used storage medium for the foreseeable future. Their unique combination of small size, high capacity, and plug-and-play functionality for a wide range of devices continue to make them one of the top choices for portable removable storage in consumer, prosumer, and professional applications.