New Samsung microSD memory card costs more than Huawei phone

It is not good enough to have one of the world's fastest smartphones, but have insufficient internal memory and an SD card with ‘yesterday's’ specs.

Samsung has introduced a new 128GB microSD card that can transfer data at about 90 and 95MB per second read write ratio.

In comparison the fastest and most powerful card by Sandisk is not a microSD but an SD card - the Sandisk Extreme Pro SDcard - that offers a similar read-write ratio.

Samsung in its statement said its advanced MLC NAND flash solution provides a powerful new standard for advanced multimedia memory solutions thereby "delivering the highest speed and storage capacity currently available for the growing consumer base using action cameras, drones, premium smartphones and DSLRs with 4K recording and playback feature."

The memory card is capable enough to store 50 minutes of 4K UHD video or 16 hours and 20 minutes of Full HD video in action cameras. In addition, the PRO Plus 128GB microSD can store a maximum of 10,940 photos or 30,670 MP3 songs based on Samsung’s estimated user settings and configurations.

“With the influx of advanced technologies like action cameras and drones, consumers are expecting more out of their memory cards,” said Un-Soo Kim, Senior Vice President of Branded Product Marketing, Memory Business at Samsung Electronics.

With the proliferation of 4K cameras, the content is getting more bulkier demanding greater transfer speed.

“We are seeing a fast increase in 4K UHD video recording and playback, and therefore a growing need for higher memory storage volume and faster transfer speeds,” adds Soo Kim.

“With the influx of advanced technologies like action cameras and drones, consumers are expecting more out of their memory cards,” said Un-Soo Kim, Senior Vice President of Branded Product Marketing, Memory Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are seeing a fast increase in 4K UHD video recording and playback, and therefore a growing need for higher memory storage volume and faster transfer speeds.

The introduction of our PRO Plus128GB microSD delivers on Samsung’s commitment to create best-in-class memory cards that meet the rapidly evolving needs of today’s consumers, as well as strengthens our leadership in branded memory products.”

The PRO Plus 128GB microSD card is designed to be compatible with any device that has a microSD slot, and is equipped with the recently upgraded Samsung 4-proof features, which include waterproof (IEC 60529, IPX7), temperature proof, X-ray proof, and magnetic proof protection. It comes with a 10 year limited warranty and is guaranteed to survive operating temperatures from -25°C to 85°C (-13°F to 185°F) and non-operating temperatures from -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F). Data stored on the card will not be affected by X-rays and will resist up to 15,000 gauss magnetic force—the equivalent of a high-field MRI scanner.

However, the device does not come for cheap. It is priced at $199.99 (Dh734) more expensive, compared to a mid-range Huawei Honor 4X priced at Dh699 and scores of other Chinese Android devices.