If it is possible to choose the memory capacity of your smartphone, in use it is sometimes not enough. For this, you can save your photos and other videos on a microSD memory card. Discover our guide to choosing the right microSD card for your smartphone.
What is a microSD card?
Marketed in 2001, the microSD or Secure Digital card is a memory card format. This type of card is particularly appreciated for its compactness and its resistance over time. Where other memory cards are often fragile, microSD cards have good resistance. There are different SD, SDXC and SDHC models with different characteristics.
Which model of microSD card to choose for your smartphone?
The SD card
MicroSD cards are seeing their use decrease more and more. Indeed, the storage capacities offered are no longer sufficient in the face of ever more efficient smartphones. Storage ranges from 128MB to 2GB. Insufficient space, especially for smartphone cameras with very high resolution. On the other hand, microSD have the advantage of being compatible with all card readers.
Choose an SDHC card
The SDHC (High Capacity) memory card model offers enhanced capacities. The storage space is optimized, but also the data transfer speed. The capacities of microSDHC cards range from 4 to 64 GB. This type of storage is perfectly adapted to the needs of smartphones, which makes it one of the most popular memory card models. However, pay attention to compatibility! SDHC cards are not always compatible with your player. Standard or pre-2008 SD readers are unlikely to work.
Choose an SDXC card
SDXC (Extended Capacity) memory cards offer optimal storage quality. Memory capacities range from 64 GB to 2 TB. Quite sufficient performance for a smartphone. Another important advantage, SDXC cards are compatible with all readers even prior to its creation.
Before you start buying a memory card for your smartphone, make sure that your phone can accommodate a memory card and within what memory limits. It is important to know that some models are not equipped with an SD port. Thus the owners of iPhones do not have the possibility of increasing their memory.
Which memory card to choose according to your device?
As we explained to you in a previous article , there are two types of memory card: Compact Flash and Secure Digital. The choice of card is mainly based on its capacity (expressed in GB). Three other factors affect device performance: read speed (maximum rate at which files are transferred to a computer), write speed (maximum rate at which images are saved to the card), and class. (minimum write speed).
Camera, camcorder, smartphone or even GPS, find out how to choose your memory card according to the needs of your device.
Which card to choose for cameras?
For cameras, reflexes, high-end, we will choose a CF card. SD (capacity up to 2GB), SDHC (capacity up to 32GB) and SDXC (capacity over 32GB) cards will be suitable for compacts, hybrids and entry-level SLRs.
As far as the class is concerned, we will choose:
- For compact or bridge cameras: a class 4 memory card.
- For entry-level or mid-range hybrids and SLRs: a class 6 memory card
- For high-end or even professional reflex cameras and for making videos: a class 10
Which card to choose for camcorders?
To film in HD, we recommend a minimum class 4 memory card. On the other hand, for a recording in Full HD, take a class 6 minimum. Be aware that for optimal video quality, nothing beats a class 10 CF memory card.
Which card to choose for smartphones?
First of all, adding memory to a smartphone must be done via a microSD memory card and within the 32 GB limit. You should also know that not all smartphones have a microSD slot. Thus, you will not be able to increase the memory on all phones. Unlike cameras and other camcorders, class is not an overriding criterion for smartphone memory cards.
Which map to choose for GPS?
For GPS, we advise you to choose the highest possible capacity in GB. Indeed, GPS maps are often very heavy: the greater the coverage of the territory, the more its weight will increase. Again, class is not a dominant criterion.
You now have all the elements to choose your memory card according to the device you use. Find all About Batteries memory cards .
The 5 criteria for choosing the right memory card
Mainly used for cameras, there are also memory cards in GPS, some phones and even tablets! To choose this accessory wisely, discover the 5 criteria to take into account.
No. 1: The type of card
There are several types of memory card:
CF (Compact Flash): optimal performance
SD (Secure Digital) : compact, ranging from less than 2 GB (SD) to more than 32 GB (SDXC), and an intermediate range between 4 and 32 GB (SDHC) .
The device used will determine the choice of card type.
No. 2: The format
There are several formats of memory card: micro, mini and standard. Again, this is going to depend on the device used.
No. 3: Capacity
To choose the capacity of your card, ask yourself two questions: According to your device, what will be the size of the stored files? Depending on your habits, will the storage performance be sufficient? Namely that the current offer extends between 2GB and 2TB of storage.
No. 4: Speed
Speed encompasses two criteria:
Reading speed: speed of the card to copy its contents to a computer
Recording speed: capacity of the card to record content. The higher it is, the faster you can take pictures. Notice to video and burst mode lovers!
On the card, the indications relate only to the recording rate, expressed in MB/s or in x (1x = 0.15MB/s).
No. 5: Class
IF speed is expressed in maximum performance, the reality is often less. Manufacturers have therefore established classes ranging from 1MB/s to 10MB/s reflecting the minimum performance. On the card it is a number in a C or in a U (UHS-1 or 10MB/s).
The choice of a memory card poses a dilemma to users: how to reconcile a reasonable price and optimal use? To help you, we will end with some indications:
| Device type | Minimum required |
| Camera | Class 4 minimum, to be seen according to the resolution of the sensor (megapixels) |
| Camcorder | Class 6 minimum |
| smartphone | Capacity up to 32 GB |
| GPS | Highest possible capacity |