Samsung vs SanDisk microSD Cards
When it comes to SD cards, two names often dominate the market: Samsung and SanDisk. Both companies are well-known in the digital storage market, offering reliable, high-performance options that cater to various consumer needs. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, gamer, or simply someone looking to expand storage on your device, choosing between these brands can be challenging. This article provides an in-depth comparison of Samsung SD cards and SanDisk SD cards, covering their key features, performance metrics, price points, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Overview of Samsung and SanDisk
Samsung
Samsung is a tech giant renowned for its wide range of electronics, from smartphones to televisions. The company also manufactures high-quality SD cards, often branded as part of their “EVO” and “PRO” series. Samsung SD cards are known for their strong performance, reliability, and impressive durability features, including water and shock resistance. These attributes make them particularly appealing to professionals and outdoor enthusiasts.
SanDisk
SanDisk, now a subsidiary of Western Digital, has been a pioneer in the digital storage industry for decades. The company offers an extensive range of SD cards under various product lines, such as “Ultra,” “Extreme,” and “Extreme PRO.” SanDisk’s SD cards are celebrated for their speed, compatibility, and versatility, making them a go-to choice for photographers, videographers, and general users alike.
Key Features of Comparison
1. Storage Capacity
Both Samsung and SanDisk offer SD cards in a wide range of storage capacities, from 32GB to 1TB, ensuring they cater to diverse storage needs. For users requiring larger capacities for 4K or 8K video recording, both brands offer ample options.
Verdict: Tie. Both brands offer similar storage capacity ranges.
2. Speed Performance
- Samsung: Samsung’s PRO Plus series can achieve up to 160-180 MB/s read and 120-130 MB/s write speeds and pro ultimate can achieve 200 MB/s read and 130 MB/s write speed, making them ideal for professional-grade video recording and photography.
- SanDisk: The SanDisk Extreme PRO series offers read speeds up to 200 MB/s and write speeds up to 140 MB/s, but in the 128GB segment the write speed is up to 90 MB/s only.
Verdict: SanDisk has a slight edge due to its marginally higher read/write speeds in the 256GB or higher segment but in the 128GB segment Samsung is offering more speed.
3. Durability
- Samsung: Samsung SD cards are built to endure extreme conditions. They offer features like water resistance (IPX7), temperature resistance (-25°C to 85°C), X-ray resistance, and magnetic protection.
- SanDisk: SanDisk cards also offer similar durability features, including waterproofing, temperature resistance (-25°C to 85°C), shock resistance, and X-ray protection.
Verdict: Tie. Both brands offer comparable durability features.
4. Warranty and Support
- Samsung: Samsung typically provides a 10-year limited warranty for its SD cards, ensuring long-term reliability.
- SanDisk: SanDisk matches this with a 100 years of warranty for many of its cards, a strong testament to their confidence in product longevity.
Verdict: SanDisk wins for offering a very long term warranty on some products.
Use Case Scenarios
Photography and Videography
Both of them are good for videography and photography. Like samsung has pro ultimate series and sandisk has extreme pro series both are almost similar and provide a good read and write speed. So, you can choose according to price at the time of purchase. But make sure that the Sandisk extreme pro series does not provide the same read and write speed in the 128 GB segment.
Everyday Use
For casual users seeking to expand smartphone or tablet storage, both Samsung EVO Plus and SanDisk Ultra series provide budget-friendly, high-performance solutions. These cards are sufficient for storing apps, photos, and Full HD videos.
Recommendation: Either brand works well for everyday use, with a slight preference based on individual budget and availability.
Gaming
Gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch often require SD cards with high storage capacities and decent speeds. Both Samsung and SanDisk offer compatible options that can handle large game files and quick loading times. The choice often boils down to pricing and brand preference.
Recommendation: Choose the one that offers better value for your desired capacity.
Price Comparison
Price is often a decisive factor. Generally, Samsung storage devices are more costly than sandisk but in memory cards there is not so much difference. The main difference of price is due to the specifications or features they are providing. Also, their price changes from time to time.
Verdict: According to the price factor, it is difficult to decide the better one.
Brand Trust and Reputation
Both brands have established trust and reliability over the years, though preferences can vary by region and consumer experience. Samsung’s broad electronics portfolio ensures seamless compatibility with its own devices, whereas SanDisk’s specialization in storage solutions enhances its credibility in this domain.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Samsung and SanDisk SD cards largely depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for a 128GB microSD card then samsung could be more beneficial for you. Because in the 128 GB segment Sandisk is not providing that high speed in their extreme or extreme pro cards also. However, if you are looking for a 256GB microSD card or if speed is not a major factor in your needs then sandisk is also a good option.
Both brands excel in areas like durability and storage capacity, ensuring a reliable experience regardless of your choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to which features matter most to you and the price you’re willing to pay. Whether you pick Samsung or SanDisk, you can count on getting a high-quality SD card that meets your needs.
