14 DAY TRIAL // Data storage technologies are evolving at a steady pace and we’re currently enjoying a trend of increasing capacities combined with decreasing sizes across the board, from fixed solutions like (m)SATA SSDs and PCIe cards to portable devices like USB drives and memory cards.
Thanks to this process, things that seemed unfathomable just a few years ago are now not just possible, but also affordable, which is why many people have a 64GB microSD card in their phones (but not their iPhones).
But when those requirements are satisfied and we’ve got a lot of storage inside devices as small and as light as a fingernail, what’s next?
What is there beyond capacity and miniaturization?
New technologies (think 4K video recording and processing) call not just for storage capacity but speed, reliability and resilience as well, and manufacturers are taking note. That’s why the top flash memory makers’ regular offering now includes 128GB memory cards in both SD and microSD format, with some pushing for 256GB.
Enter Samsung’s new addition to their EVO+ MicroSDXC line (a not-so-subtle nod to their successful SSD range with the same name). With 256GB of storage and Class 10 / U3 certifications, this half-gram behemoth is definitely not your usual memory card. It’s actually Samsung’s first U3 microSD card of this size, taking the crown from the 128GB PRO+.
Apart from the impressive capacity, this card can reach transfer speeds of 95MB/s for reading and 90MB/s for writing when connected to a UHS-I compatible host device, which recommends it for a range of real-life applications all the way up to 4K video recording from action cameras or drones. Or you could just pop it into your Galaxy S7 and do some regular photo snapping.
Furthermore, it’s been hardened and is able to operate under higher than usual temperature and humidity. It’s also waterproof, magnetic proof and impervious to X-rays, according to Samsung.
Once a staple of roadwarrior laptops and mobile workstations, the ruggedness concept seems to be spreading, first to smartphones and now to these rather fragile storage devices, in a move we can only encourage.
The 256GB microSDXC EVO+ launches globally in June 2016, with a 10-year warranty and an MSRP of $249.99 (219 Euro). If that seems a little steep, you might want to look into the 128GB PRO+ mentioned above, it’s currently available for $99.99 (87 Euro) instead of the regular price of $149.99 (131 Euro).
