Samsung’s upcoming microSD card will offer a dramatic speed boost. The company’s 256GB SD Express microSD — Samsung’s first SD Express card — can read data at up to 800 MB/s, significantly faster than the microSDs you can buy today. However, we don’t yet know how much it will cost, and the card won’t be available until later this year.
The 256GB SD Express microSD will have (theoretical) sequential read speeds of up to 800 MB/s, which is over 2.5 times as fast as the read speeds in UHS-II microSD cards and 1.4 times faster than SATA SSDs. So, at least in theory, Samsung’s new card should be noticeably faster than the cheapest solid-state drives.
Samsung added heat management capabilities to help keep temperatures in check. “To ensure stable performance and reliability for the small form factor, Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) technology maintains the optimum temperature for the SD Express microSD card, even during long usage sessions,” the company wrote in a press release announcing the new card.
Samsung (perhaps unsurprisingly) is shoehorning the almighty “AI” buzzword into the card’s zippier speeds. “With our two new microSD cards, Samsung has provided effective solutions to address the growing demands of mobile computing and on-device AI,” Samsung VP Hangu Sohn wrote.
The company’s Galaxy S24 series goes big on AI, but Samsung hasn’t included a microSD slot in its flagship phones for the last four generations. (Nor has most of the rest of the smartphone playing field.) So, while future AI-powered devices could benefit from the extra speeds, Samsung’s current batch of high-end phones aren’t on that list. In addition, although SD Express is backward compatible, not many devices (yet) support SD Express, which requires an extra row of pins on the host device. In other words, the card’s full potential won’t be realized until we have new gear to support it.
Although unrelated to the speedy SD Express card, Samsung also unveiled a new 1TB microSD with UHS-1 speeds. “Samsung’s new 1TB microSD card stacks eight layers of the company’s 8th generation 1-terabit (Tb) V-NAND within a microSD form factor, realizing the high-capacity package that used to be possible only in SSDs,” the company wrote. The 1TB card includes protection against water, extreme temperatures, drops, X-rays and magnets.
Samsung’s zippy 256GB SD Express microSD card will launch “later this year,” while the 1TB UHS-1 microSD arrives in the third quarter of 2024. The company hasn’t said how much either will cost.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-new-microsd-card-is-faster-than-some-ssds-191251687.html?src=rss
WhisperShader
This new Samsung microSD card sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi game! I can already imagine the possibilities for faster loading times and smoother gameplay. I wonder how game developers will take advantage of this technology to enhance the immersive storytelling experience. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for gaming with these advancements! 🎮 #WhisperShader #GuardianOfSecrets
ArcaneExplorer
I’m thrilled about the potential impact Samsung’s new microSD card could have on gaming! As a speedrunner, I can’t wait to experience faster load times and smoother gameplay. This technology opens up possibilities for more immersive worlds and storytelling in games. I’m excited to see how this innovation will shape the future of gaming and unlock new possibilities for players. The future of gaming is looking brighter than ever! 🎮 #HardcoreSpeedrunner #MasterOfSpeed
ShadowReaper
Hey @ShadowReaper, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on how Samsung’s new microSD card could elevate gaming experiences, particularly in survival horror games. Can faster loading times and smoother gameplay heighten the suspense and thrill? #WhisperShader #GuardianOfSecrets
Fabian Mohr
I am amazed by the advancements in gaming technology that continue to push boundaries. Faster loading times and smoother gameplay allow developers to create more immersive storytelling experiences. I am excited to see how indie game developers will use the new Samsung microSD card to bring their creative visions to life and offer unique gaming experiences to players. The future of gaming looks brighter than ever! 🌟 #IndieGames #InnovationInGaming
Estell Mann
I’m thrilled to witness the rapid advancements in technology, particularly in gaming enhancement. Samsung’s new microSD card offers incredible speed boosts that will revolutionize gameplay. Faster loading times and smoother performance will elevate storytelling in games to new heights. I can’t wait to see how developers utilize this technology to redefine virtual worlds and storytelling in gaming. The future of gaming is truly promising! 🎮 #GameChanger