Many users, when they go to buy a new mobile, do not buy the version with more internal memory, because they believe that it is not necessary since they can buy a high capacity microSD card that is much cheaper. Now, can a microSD memory card really replace the internal memory of a smartphone? The short answer is no, and it's worth understanding why..
Internal memory or microSD memory
There are users who when they buy a smartphone decide not to buy a version with more capacity, because it is more expensive, and because after all they believe that they will be able to buy a large capacity microSD card, which is much cheaper than buying a version of the smartphone with more memory. Of course, this leads to users not buying mobiles in which it is not possible to install a microSD card. And this could lead users to discard the purchase of high-end mobiles like the OnePlus 5. But besides that, is microSD memory really the same as the internal memory of a smartphone? Equality does not exist in performance or reliabilityIf you're unsure, consult how much memory and storage do you really need?.
Well, not really. A smartphone's internal memory is usually of a higher capacity than the microSD memory card we're going to buy. Modern internal storage is usually UFS.With speeds far exceeding those of a typical microSD card: reads of hundreds of MB/s and very high write speeds compared to cards that, even if fast, offer lower figures. Keep in mind that the operating system and applications will be installed on this memory, and it will be used every time you use your smartphone. Random operations per minute (IOPS) and latency are key And that's where internal memory wins by a landslide.
Not all microSD memory cards are that fast. In fact, high-speed cards are more expensive than the memory cards users typically buy. So, if you thought you'd save money by buying a microSD card, it's actually because you're buying lower-quality memory. If you're going to opt for SD, look for at least UHS-I U3/V30 and class A2. for apps, as they improve random performance.
Also, mobiles are configured so that the microSD memory card can never act as internal memory. Actually, this is because if some important system files were installed on the microSD card, and then we removed this card from the mobile, we could put the mobile to death. Android offers two modes: portable storage and adoptable internal storage. and, in recent versions, options such as Android smart storageThe first allows you to remove the card and use it in other devices; the second encrypts and links the card to that phone, saving space but losing portability.
Android increasingly have more news so that microSD memory cards can act almost like internal memory, but in reality they will never reach the same level. Therefore, a mobile with an internal memory of 128 GB does not have the same memory as a smartphone with an internal memory of 64 GB and a microSD card of 64 GB. The distribution affects performance because of what data can reside on each medium.
Be careful with the speed figuresMB/s (megabytes per second) is not the same as Mb/s (megabits per second). 1 MB/s = 8 Mb/s. Many specifications and cameras display Mb/s, and confusing them can lead to choosing unsuitable graphics cards. For 4K video, for example, look for video class V30 or higher, which guarantees sufficient sustained write speeds.
So is the microSD card useful?
However, that doesn't mean microSD cards can't be really useful. Going back to the example of the phone with 128 GB of memory and the phone with 64 GB + 64 GB, the truth is that buying the former will only be relevant if you're going to install so many apps that they exceed 64 GB. This is almost impossible. If you have a phone with a high-resolution camera capable of recording in 4K, the videos and photos will take up a lot of space. That multimedia material is perfect for the microSD card.because the system does not need it to run.
So, in general, from 64 GB, it is not necessary for the mobile to have more internal memory. Even a mobile phone with 32 GB of internal memory is already a good smartphone if we buy a high-capacity microSD memory card. Use the SD card as removable storage if you already have content you don't want to lose.You can move it between devices without encryption. If you configure it as adoptable, Android will encrypt it and it will only work on that phone. Furthermore, it's a way to free up space on your mobile without paying more for the terminal.
Can I install apps on the SD card? Yes, with some caveats. It depends on each app and the manufacturer.In Settings > Apps > Storage, some apps allow you to move some of their data to the SD card; others, such as certain messaging or streaming services, do not. Even if you can, it's not always advisable. Demanding games may run slower on an SD card rather than in internal memory.
For photos and videos, many manufacturers allow you to select the SD card as the storage destination in the camera app. It's also common to be able to save offline music or TV shows to the SD card, depending on the app (it's best to check the settings of each service). Offline maps, documents, file copies, and downloads are ideal candidates for the microSD card.
Security and reliability: Is internal storage or microSD more secure? Internal memory is more stable for the system and appsMicroSD cards from well-known brands (SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, PNY, etc.) last for many years with normal use, but like any flash memory, they suffer wear and tear with intensive write operations. If you prioritize durability with continuous recording, consider "High Endurance" models. Always make backups in the cloud or on another device, whether you save internally or on SD.
How to choose the right microSD card: look at three logos. 1) UHS and U (U1/U3) for minimum sustained speed; 2) V-Class (V30/V60/V90) if you record a lot of video; 3) A-Class (A1/A2) If you're going to install apps or handle a lot of mini read/write operations, the A2 U3/V30 is usually an excellent balance for mobile devices.
Practical tip to avoid data loss: If you're using the SD card as an adoptable storage device, don't remove it without first disabling and ejecting it from Settings > Storage. If you're using it as a portable storage device, always eject it before removing it to prevent data corruption. Avoid filling both the internal and SD cards to 100%. to maintain good performance.
The microSD card does not replace internal memory in terms of speed or system stability, but Yes, it complements it magnificently. for photos, videos, offline downloads, and personal files, reducing the risk of running out of space and without paying too much for more internal storage.