They don't because of the thing they literally just fixed with this new spec. Its a shame to because so many people use microSD cards to back up photos/videos because for a non-techy its easier to backup that way vs other means. Its pretty much the go-to family asked question "I got a picture i want to save or print how do i do that".
That said, SanDisk Memory Zone is cancer, while good intended, it wants total control over files each time instead of using default file managers.
This is useful for my Surface Go since it only has a 128gb SSD (although it is a fast NVMe drive). Even with my current 256GB Samsung EVO+ U3 drive, apps running off the microSD are significantly slower vs off the SSD.
From the article: More importantly, in line with the A2 requirements, the new SanDisk Extreme microSD have a random performance of at least 4000 write IOPS and 2000 write IOPS
This will be good if it was released 1 ago, now the future will be SD Express standard.
Sadly, by the time those SD Express microSD cards comes with capacities and price good enough more smartphones will get rid of the microSD slot it self.
Does anybody know, whether the command queues can be used with Raspberry Pi? I don't know if it's kernel issue or hardware issue (or lack thereof). As far as I have tested, only Sandisk Ultra and Extreme microSD cards are usable with RPI, because of their controllers - it hides flash errors very well and probably has some write buffer.
When RPI starts to swap under Raspbian, it's real pain even with Ultras. It involves many scattered sectors - random write performance is king here.
At those figures I wonder about heat. These things have a tiny amount of surface area and go into slots not necessarily designed for cooling: How much heat are microSD cards allowed to dissipate?
Can they sustain the given performance levels for say 10 minutes or will they need to throttle for heat?
Sandisk doesn’t honor their warranties and has a high failure rate. I had to give up on the warranty and buy intel/samsung/micron who do honor their warranties.
It only works for A2 compatible disks. Writing an ISO to an A2 microSD card (including the 64GB one) is written at 70MB/s. Not all MicroSD cards support this card. Some can't read it, others can, but it won't work any faster than a standard Class 10, U1 SD card. My theory is that the controller runs on 5V instead of the standard 3.3V. Using it with a MicroSD card reader at 3,3V, and the performance is pretty slow. A1 cards are faster. Especially on the Raspberry Pi 1 - 3B+ (not sure if anything under the RaspBerry Pi 3 actually recognizes an A2 card, but it does work in Raspbian and Buster on the Pi 3).
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22 Comments
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MrCommunistGen - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
Huh. That's interesting. Still, I feel like this is "too little, too late" because by this point a lot of devices no longer have a microSD card slot.imaheadcase - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
They don't because of the thing they literally just fixed with this new spec. Its a shame to because so many people use microSD cards to back up photos/videos because for a non-techy its easier to backup that way vs other means. Its pretty much the go-to family asked question "I got a picture i want to save or print how do i do that".That said, SanDisk Memory Zone is cancer, while good intended, it wants total control over files each time instead of using default file managers.
brakdoo - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
Nah, (automatic) cloud backup for pics and vids is cheaper, easier and more reliable but you need a good internet connection...imaheadcase - Saturday, October 6, 2018 - link
You seriously don't have a clue about phone usage, majority of people don't even have a smart phone and use pay as you go plans.Fergy - Saturday, October 6, 2018 - link
Android has been making SD cards harder and harder to use. I never had a problem with the speed of any SD card.norazi - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
This is useful for my Surface Go since it only has a 128gb SSD (although it is a fast NVMe drive). Even with my current 256GB Samsung EVO+ U3 drive, apps running off the microSD are significantly slower vs off the SSD.Tams80 - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
This isn't going to make them that much faster as NVMe drives are in a different league entirely.jabber - Saturday, October 6, 2018 - link
At lot folks still use such devices as proper cameras. That's the market for these.zodiacfml - Saturday, October 6, 2018 - link
Im a fan of expandable storage but this product is too late. Builtin memory has become decently large and a lot faster.rpg1966 - Saturday, October 6, 2018 - link
Lol, because nobody needs more than the piddling amount of in-built storage in today's phone, amirite?PeachNCream - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
Quick random access...I'm thinking one of these might be a good replacement for my 4GB SD card that I'm using as swap space on my laptop.phoenix_rizzen - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
From the article:More importantly, in line with the A2 requirements, the new SanDisk Extreme microSD have a random performance of at least 4000 write IOPS and 2000 write IOPS
Guessing one of those "write" should be a "read"?
SteelRing - Friday, October 5, 2018 - link
Just bought this a couple weeks ago 128GB for $42 from amz0n, still not shipped yet though.Ryan Smith - Saturday, October 6, 2018 - link
Indeed it is. Thanks!Xajel - Sunday, October 7, 2018 - link
This will be good if it was released 1 ago, now the future will be SD Express standard.Sadly, by the time those SD Express microSD cards comes with capacities and price good enough more smartphones will get rid of the microSD slot it self.
lada - Monday, October 8, 2018 - link
Does anybody know, whether the command queues can be used with Raspberry Pi? I don't know if it's kernel issue or hardware issue (or lack thereof). As far as I have tested, only Sandisk Ultra and Extreme microSD cards are usable with RPI, because of their controllers - it hides flash errors very well and probably has some write buffer.When RPI starts to swap under Raspbian, it's real pain even with Ultras. It involves many scattered sectors - random write performance is king here.
JoeDuarte - Thursday, October 11, 2018 - link
Man, the SD card industry has made such an incomprehensible mess of standards. Look at the pictured card – it has at least four ratings:- A2
- V30
- MicroSD XC I, which might refer to the UHS-I bus.
- and a 3 in a bucket, which apparently means UHS Speed Class 3
It think it's almost impossible for customers to know what all this stuff means.
abufrejoval - Friday, October 12, 2018 - link
At those figures I wonder about heat. These things have a tiny amount of surface area and go into slots not necessarily designed for cooling: How much heat are microSD cards allowed to dissipate?Can they sustain the given performance levels for say 10 minutes or will they need to throttle for heat?
ravib123 - Sunday, November 11, 2018 - link
THIS IS A STRICTLY DO NOT BUY PRODUCT.Sandisk doesn’t honor their warranties and has a high failure rate. I had to give up on the warranty and buy intel/samsung/micron who do honor their warranties.
Lessons learned.
ProDigit - Monday, August 12, 2019 - link
It only works for A2 compatible disks.Writing an ISO to an A2 microSD card (including the 64GB one) is written at 70MB/s.
Not all MicroSD cards support this card. Some can't read it, others can, but it won't work any faster than a standard Class 10, U1 SD card.
My theory is that the controller runs on 5V instead of the standard 3.3V.
Using it with a MicroSD card reader at 3,3V, and the performance is pretty slow.
A1 cards are faster. Especially on the Raspberry Pi 1 - 3B+ (not sure if anything under the RaspBerry Pi 3 actually recognizes an A2 card, but it does work in Raspbian and Buster on the Pi 3).
Katsutara - Tuesday, December 22, 2020 - link
Is Snapdragon 865+ processor good for A2 Micro sd cardThanks