New SanDisk Extreme & Extreme Plus microSD Memory Cards

Traditionally around Q3 of each year (usually July/August) SanDisk will announce a new range of memory cards for the end of the year and into the following year. 2016 is no different. Here we will talk about the latest incarnation of SanDisk cards for 2016/2017. This article talks specifically about microSDHC and microSDXC cards for the Extreme and Extreme Plus range with the introduction of 128GB cards to the current 32GB and 64GB range.

SDHC and SDXC data will be released soon and on a separate article. Keep a look out for these updates on our blog.

As we become ever more data hungry (currently through 4K UHD video) we need faster cards with larger capacities. Higher resolution (4K UHD) not only takes up more recording space over e,g 1080p HD, but this resolution also needs the fastest possible write speeds (the time it takes to write the data to the card) to prevent lag and stalling of video on playback. 4K video is currently more prevalent on digital cameras but is gradually making its way onto smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, Sony Xperia Z5 and the LG G5 to name a few as manufacturers are now acknowledging that most of us use our smartphones for taking images and recording video.

We then look at sharing this video we have recorded or images we have saved on our device with friends via social media, transferring it to a USB, tablet, laptop, PC etc. This is where we need fast read speeds (measured in MB/s).

Read speeds are critical because these are used to access the data that we have saved on the card and share with devices. Ever waited an age for a card to transfer data? Likely that the card had really slow read speeds. The Extreme and Extreme Plus cards offer read speeds of up to 90MB/s so they’re pretty quick and industry leading. Consider too that a 64GB card full of 4K video will suffer with tramsfer times if you have that data on a card with poor read speeds and intend to transfer it to a device. The SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Plus will help reduce that time to almost instant transfer rates.

Below we list the specs of the new cards and offer reasons you may wish to purchase for yourself.

Firstly you will see some new logos coming on cards which reads ‘ V30’. This simply means the card is optimized for video with the ‘V’ indicating video class, hence the ‘V’ and that the card offers a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s. More here on this here at SDCard.org.



Extreme microSDHC and microSDXC cards:

Full range available here.

The Extreme range of microSDHC cards are available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB with write speeds of up to 40MB/s and read speeds of up to 95MB/s. These are ideal for the casual consumer who likes to record 4K and 1080p video on their smartphones in places such as festivals, concerts and other such events.

Recommended for: Smartphones such as the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

Pro’s:
- Supplied with full sized SD adapter for use in SDHC/SDXC devices
- Available in large capacities: 32GB/64GB/128GB
- Up to 90MB/s read

Downsides:
- Lowish write speeds up to claimed 40MB/s which might not suit all 4K recording scenarios

Extreme Plus microSDHC and microSDXC cards:

Full range available here.

The Extreme Plus range of microSDHC and microSDXC card are also available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB like their siblings of the Extreme range however these are for the more serious user such as those who like to use action camera and require something that will shoot fast and continuously. With their write speeds of up to 90MB/s these really are a card that will catch everything in stunning 4K video with no lag. They also offer read speeds of up to 95MB/s.


Recommended for: Actions cameras such as the Go Pro Hero4

Pro’s:
- Supplied with full sized SD adapter for use in SDHC/SDXC devices
- Available in large capacities: 32GB/64GB/128GB
- Up to 95MB/s write
- Up to 90MB/s read

Downsides:
- Non