SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSDXC UHS-I Card is 'world’s fastest'
Micro SD cards are small enough -- any smaller and it would be downright ridiculous. Think about it, folks, they are already too easy to lose. A better way to push the envelope with these miniature storage cards is speed and capacity.
Today, Western Digital announces the SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSDXC UHS-I, which it claims to be the world's fastest such card. Whether you are recording 4K video on a GoPro, or accessing files on your smartphone, the storage media can never be too fast, am I right? In addition to the aforementioned card, the company also announces the less-expensive and slightly slower 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition.
"The 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card delivers unmatched transfer speeds of up to 100MB/s, allowing users to save time transferring large files, as well as write speeds of up to 90MB/s for rapid capture of photos. Users can record an estimated 14 hours of 4K UHD video on the 256GB card, making it ideal for high-performance drones, action cameras, and 4K-capable smartphones, among other devices", says Western Digital.
The company further shares, "the 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, is ideal for Android-based smartphone and tablet users who don't want to worry about running out of space on their devices. The new card is capable of storing more than 24 hours of Full HD video, and also features premium transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s. At this speed people can move files quickly -- up to 1,200 photos in just one minute".
If you want to buy one of these cards, you must be patient. The slower 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition launches in August for $149. The slightly faster SanDisk Extreme 256GB microSDXC UHS-I can be had for $199 in Q416.
A comparable 200GB card can be had for well under $100 -- I paid $60 for mine -- making these higher prices a fairly hard pill to swallow. With that said, Samsung's similar offering is $249, making this "Extreme" card from SanDisk reasonably attractive.
Will you buy one of these cards at launch or wait for eventual price drops? Tell me in the comments.