11 best memory cards for phones and smartphones

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Modern smartphones are getting more and more permanent memory. It got to the point that the flagships can hold up to 512 GB of all kinds of media files. But we well remember the times when even computer hard drives were not so capacious! However, inexpensive smartphones and phones do not have the same amount of permanent memory. That is why many of their buyers are thinking about expanding free space. This is done by installing a microSD memory card (except for products Huawei, which may require a card of a different format). But which memory card should you buy? Let's find out the answer to this question by looking at the best models. We will divide them into speed classes. Owners of push-button mobile phones and the cheapest smartphones will be satisfied with Class 10 drives. Others should consider buying a memory card of a higher-speed UHS class, especially if their device can shoot 4K video.

Rating of the best memory cards for phones and smartphones

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best memory cards for phones and smartphones (Class 10)	1	Transcend microSDHC 300S Class 10 4GB (TS4GUSD300S)	272 r
	2	SmartBuy microSDHC Class10 8GB + SD adapter	210
	3	Transcend TS8GUSDC10	410 RUB
	4	Perfeo microSDHC Class 10 4GB	692 r
The best memory cards for smartphones (Class U1 and U3)	1	Samsung MB-MC128GA	1 401 rub.
	2	Transcend microSDXC 300S Class 10 UHS-I U3 A1 V30 128GB	RUB 940
	3	SanDisk Ultra microSDXC Class 10 UHS-I 80MB / s 64GB	RUB 680
	4	Kingston Canvas Select microSDHC Class 10 UHS-I U1 32GB	293 r
	5	SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC Class 10 UHS Class 3 V30 A2 170MB / s 128GB	RUB 2 210
	6	Kingston SDCR / 32GBSP	771 r
Best memory card for new smartphones Huawei (Nano SD)	1	Huawei NM Card 128 Gb	RUB 5,990

Best memory cards for phones and smartphones (Class 10)

Transcend microSDHC 300S Class 10 4GB (TS4GUSD300S)

Rating: 4.9

This silver card is primarily intended for use in a push-button telephone. Its four gigabyte volume will not be enough for almost any modern smartphone. But in a mobile phone it is quite possible to use such a memory card. 4 GB can be filled with music, which will be listened to at any time, as well as sound as a call. With this method of using the card, the speed class becomes unimportant. If only the card was reliable. And Transcend's product is just that. This is confirmed by numerous reviews; mentions of product failure are extremely rare.

By the way, if you read the reviews, you can find complaints about the speed of reading and writing. That is why we recommend installing this drive strictly in push-button phones. Measurements show that writing is at 8.4 MB / s and reading at 19 MB / s. In fact, this is quite enough even for recording photos in not the highest resolution. It turns out that a memory card can find a place in a compact camera. But do not forget that in this case you may need an SD adapter to use it.

As for the rest, it is difficult to tell something special about this memory card. It comes in the usual plastic-cardboard case. You can buy it for only 300-400 rubles. We recommend taking it from trusted Russian stores. Chinese online retailers are offering counterfeits issued by third-party firms. However, often even they correspond to the declared parameters. The problem is that they are sold for about the same price, and you will have to wait much longer for delivery.

Advantages

• Very low cost;
• High reliability.

disadvantages

• Low write speed;
• Not very high prevalence;
• Small volume.

SmartBuy microSDHC Class10 8GB + SD adapter

Rating: 4.8

Above we talked about the fact that memory cards with a low write speed can be used in an old compact camera. They can also find a place in the portable consoles Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS. However, this requires an SD adapter. This is the accessory that comes with the SmartBuy memory card.

This is definitely not the best option for installing in a smartphone. And it's not even about the volume, which is only 8 GB. This memory card has very low speed characteristics. When recording large files, it is 11 Mb / s. If you write a lot of small files, then the speed can drop to 0.8 Mb / s. It is clear that there are no problems with reading – the speed in any case will be approximately 21 Mb / s. This is what makes it possible to recommend installing a SmartBuy card in an old portable console or a push-button telephone.

You can buy this memory card for only 200 rubles. What's the catch? Perhaps only in reliability. Alas, the product may not easily survive the warranty period of 12 months. On the network you can find numerous reviews saying that the card died after only six months. And you are unlikely to go to the store to return such a small amount. However, it should be noted that for many people the card functions calmly for several years. It all depends on the methods of operation. If you do not rewrite information every two or three days, then the memory card can serve a fairly long period.

Advantages

• Extremely low cost;
• Includes an SD adapter;
• Decent reading speed.

disadvantages

• Still, the volume will not suit everyone;
• The memory card is unreliable;
• Low write speed.

Transcend TS8GUSDC10

Rating: 4.7

This representative of our rating is sold without an SD adapter. If you do not have such an accessory yourself, then you will have to use this card exclusively in your mobile phone. However, some people buy Transcend TS8GUSDC10 for installation in an old smartphone. After all, you can still meet people who have at their disposal a simple apparatus, the camera of which is far from ideal. Usually, such people need a memory card only to store a selection of music and several dozen photos. Transcend TS8GUSDC10 copes with this task without any difficulty!

As you already understood, the product has a speed Class 10. This imposes some restrictions on it. A DSLR will definitely complain if you suddenly engage in burst shooting. And certainly the owner of such a card shouldn't think about 4K video shooting. But what can I say, even the resolution Full HD is not always adequately extended.

The manufacturer of this product claims a three-year lifespan. Due to this, some stores provide the same warranty period. However, they certainly would not have dared to do this if the memory card had such a low price tag. Agree, you are unlikely to go to the store to return an item if it costs only 350 rubles. Unfortunately, there may still be a reason to go there. There are reviews on the network without problems, which say about the failure of the memory card after six months or a year of use. To be fair, every inexpensive memory card has such negative reviews. Practice shows that most buyers are in a hurry to write about the breakdown. If the budget card is working properly, then a person often has no desire to waste his time writing a review.

As for the speed characteristics, they correspond to the tenth class. This means that most often you will observe the write speed at the level of 5-6 MB / s. Therefore, this drive is unlikely to suit any DVR. As mentioned above, it must be installed in those smartphones that more often read information than write it.

Advantages

• Decent reading speed;
• Low cost.

disadvantages

• Not all specimens live long enough;
• Low write speed;
• No SD adapter.

Perfeo microSDHC Class 10 4GB

Rating: 4.6

It is a rare case when everything is written in Russian on the packaging with the goods. One gets the impression that Perfeo is a Russian manufacturer. No, the memory card was created at a Chinese factory, like the rest of our rating, but this was done exclusively by order of a Russian company.

As you might guess from the name, the memory card is very small. It seems that it will be bought by the owners of push-button telephones and the simplest MP3-players. Usually four gigabytes is enough for hundreds or two of musical compositions. And the owner of the above devices does not need more. The product is shipped without an SD adapter. And that must be right. A DSLR and a camcorder will not only have little memory, but also speed characteristics. The Perfeo microSDHC Class 10 isn't worth buying at all if you're looking to get a removable storage device to save your captured video. Although the packaging contains images of photo and video equipment, you should not believe them. Apparently, the packaging is unified, including with those cards that have faster recording and more memory.

Unfortunately, the product was practically not tested by those consumers who decided to acquire it. But Class 10 speaks volumes. There is no doubt that the product is slow to save files, but it provides fast enough reading. As for the warranty period, it is 12 months. Perhaps the most difficult thing to find fault with is reliability. It must be for a long service life that sellers ask for about 300 rubles. However, in some online stores this drive is sold for only 160-170 rubles. And that's the best price tag for such a memory card!

Advantages

• Decent lifespan;
• Good reading speed;
• Very low cost.

disadvantages

• Very little memory;
• No SD adapter;
• Low write speed.

The best memory cards for smartphones (Class U1 and U3)

Samsung MB-MC128GA

Rating: 4.9

As you know, the South Korean company Samsung has an excellent semiconductor division. It is engaged in the production of processors, memory modules and other components for smartphones. Also, a large number of memory cards are coming off the assembly line of her factory. Almost all of them belong to the microSD standard. Therefore, they are intended for use in smartphones and other miniature electronics.

Our rating could not do without at least one memory card from Samsung. The thing is, these removable drives have suddenly become real hits! Users appreciate these cards for their high speed of reading and writing data. They are satisfied with the volume of the drive.

We must admit that Samsung memory cards would not have become popular if the South Koreans had not lowered the price tag. Initially, only 32 and 64 GB cards were more or less available. But now the 128-gigabyte version is also relatively inexpensive – it is priced at 1800-2500 rubles, depending on the place of purchase. Quite not bad! This volume is enough to store a huge amount of music and photographs. It is also a great option for those smartphones that can shoot 4K video. The speed characteristics are also pleasing. If a smartphone uses a bit rate of 100 Mbps when shooting video, then there will be no problems. This is evidenced not only by the UHS Class 3 class, but also by the tests carried out. Measurements have shown that many instances store information in sequential mode at 64 MB / s. Of course, there are defective copies that write at a much slower speed, but their percentage is very small. If you suddenly got a marriage, then you can replace the card under warranty. As for the read speed, it varies from 82 to 105 MB / s for different copies.

This representative of our rating collects extremely positive feedback. It is extremely rare to find mention of any complaints. It is interesting that people buy this card for installation not only in a smartphone. It is a good choice for use on Nintendo Switch. And the memory card can also be used in a DSLR camera that can shoot 4K video at a very high bitrate. The included SD adapter pushes for this.

If we talk about the service life, then it must be very long. In the end, you are not buying a Chinese craft, but a quality product from a reputable company. The warranty period, which is only 12 months, is somewhat annoying. But this only says that the stores want to play it safe. It is also possible that it is thanks to the reduced warranty period that the product received such an affordable cost.

Advantages

• There is an SD adapter;
• High write speed;
• Very high reading speed;
• High reliability;
• The price tag cannot be called prohibitive.

disadvantages

• There are defective copies.

Transcend microSDXC 300S Class 10 UHS-I U3 A1 V30 128GB

Rating: 4.8

Another memory card in our ranking that comes with an SD adapter. However, it is possible that in some stores you can find a version without this additional accessory. This is not really that important. Nowadays, devices that require an SD card are less and less often in the hands of users. Note that even compact cameras have recently been writing material to a microSD memory card. As for professional equipment, this drive was not created for it. The fact is that in order to reduce the cost to 1200-1500 rubles, the manufacturer had to worsen the speed characteristics.

As you may have noticed, the card belongs to UHS Class 3. However, in reality, the product does not fully comply with its specifications. Yes, there are no problems with reading the information. Measurements show that a computer, smartphone and other devices will read large files at speeds up to 90-95 MB / s. This is a great result, even allowing you to watch a movie saved in 4K resolution. But with the recording of files, everything is not so smooth. In this case, the speed cannot exceed 45 MB / s. Some specimens do not offer this parameter either! The device will definitely complain if it wants to shoot 4K video using a 100 megabit bitrate. Such a memory card is generally contraindicated for a flagship smartphone. The point is that a low write speed can slow down the operating system's performance. At first, you will not notice this, but in the future you will definitely notice that something has become wrong.

The low cost hints that the store is unlikely to offer you an extended warranty. Indeed, you only need to keep a check at home for one year. However, this does not mean that the memory card will fail after such a short time. In terms of reliability, there are no special complaints about the drive. So far, only one review can be found on the network, telling about the failure of the card. However, this is not surprising, since the memory card went on sale relatively recently.

Advantages

• Low cost;
• Supplied with SD adapter;
• High reading speed;
• Large amount of memory;
• High reliability.

disadvantages

• Not the highest write speed.

SanDisk Ultra microSDXC Class 10 UHS-I 80MB / s 64GB

Rating: 4.7

Of course, not every reader is willing to pay more than a thousand rubles for a memory card. Someone is looking for a cheaper solution. It is for such people that we included SanDisk Ultra in our rating. Earlier memory cards of this series cost quite a lot of money. However, in recent years, their cost has also decreased. Now for the 64-gigabyte version they ask for about 800-900 rubles. A penny by still very recent standards! A few years ago, only a 32 GB card could be purchased for this money.

If you are constantly shooting 4K video, then 64 GB will seem like insufficient capacity. However, this card was not created for installation in a smartphone that can shoot 4K video. The fact is that high bitrate causes serious problems for the drive. Alas, modern SanDisk Ultra cards do not have the write speed they could boast of before. Some instances are not even able to offer 45 MB / s! It turns out that this drive is recommended for use in a device that will read more often than write information. In particular, it can be placed in a mid-budget smartphone. All that remains is to upload music or some other media files. Also, the card feels good in old game consoles from Nintendo. Although it is possible that they will not recognize the drive – too much memory is waiting for them. And do not forget that such devices require an SD adapter, which may not be included with this memory card.

As for reading data, there are no special complaints about the drive. The product delivers approximately 80 MB / s. Ideally, many instances have a slightly lower parameter. But it is enough even for watching heavy 4K video.

In short, SanDisk has a solid memory card. However, it is solid, and not perfect, as it was before. If you read the reviews, then you even start to get scared. The reliability of the card raises very big questions! In the reviews, it is regularly written that the product fails after a year of its use. And if the company used to change the drive for its own money, now it finds many excuses in order not to do this. Although it is possible that the people faced with the problem made an order in a Chinese online store, where they sell a large number of fakes. Alas, it is SanDisk products that are most often counterfeited. That is why we recommend buying this memory card from M.Video, Eldorado and other large retail chains.

Advantages

• High reading speed;
• Very low price.

disadvantages

• Most often it comes without an SD adapter;
• Not very high write speed;
• Low reliability.

Kingston Canvas Select microSDHC Class 10 UHS-I U1 32GB

Rating: 4.6

Another memory card in our rating, belonging to the speed class UHS-I. It is not the fastest, but it is not the slowest class either. However, the product does not even match it. However, does the buyer of such a card need a high write speed? Let's figure it out.

To begin with, this drive offers a very high read speed. The manufacturer claims 80 MB / s, and many copies are really capable of boasting this parameter. A larger 32GB drive is definitely not needed. But what about the recording? Alas, in this regard, the product is experiencing certain problems. The Taiwanese manufacturer was even reinsured, claiming only 10 MB / s. In fact, many instances are capable of writing data at speeds of 13-14 MB / s. But this parameter will seem ridiculous to someone. However, let's remember the amount of memory that this drive has. 32 GB suggests that the product is unlikely to be used in action cameras and flagship smartphones that can record videos in 4K resolution. Namely, this task will turn out to be unbearable for the memory card. Other tasks are unlikely to cause any problems for the product. However, it's better not to risk it, we still recommend the owners of DVRs to look at the memory cards discussed above – they digest video shooting much better.

This card feels great in budget smartphones that will not be used for video shooting. It is this purpose that the price tag hints at. The fact is that the cost of the drive is also very low. In Russian online stores, this card can be purchased for only 400 rubles. And don't order a memory card from Chinese retailers! Kingston is the second most counterfeit brand. It is when a fake is used that a person faces the greatest problems. However, the original is not very reliable either. It is possible that after a year or two the drive will have to be changed. Although, if the device does not load it too much, then replacement may not be required.

Advantages

• Very low cost;
• High write speed;
• There is an SD adapter included.

disadvantages

• Extremely low write speed;
• There are questions about reliability.

SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC Class 10 UHS Class 3 V30 A2 170MB / s 128GB

Rating: 4.5

It is a rare case when a microSD card can easily replace a variant of the SD format. Usually SD cards, due to their larger size, are able to offer excellent read speed, and they have no problems with writing information. But SanDisk Extreme Pro can easily compete with them. Almost any device can read information from this drive at speeds up to 170 MB / s! A few years ago, this parameter would have seemed fantastic!

I must admit that reading is not so important for a memory card. Not every smartphone has a high-speed USB port so that you can appreciate the lightning speed of transferring data to your computer. Of course, there are card readers that connect to the USB 3.0 socket, but they are not very widespread either. That is why the consumer is much more likely to pay attention to the write speed. This is a much more important parameter. In this regard, SanDisk Extreme Pro is sure to please too. Measurements give the result at the level of 80-90 MB / s. If you think about it, this is as close as possible to what external hard drives, which have a much larger physical size, are capable of.

So, for what purpose was this memory card created? This is perhaps the best choice for a flagship smartphone. If he shoots 4K video at 100 Mbps, this card is needed. High-speed video recording will not cause problems when hundreds of frames per second are taken. Of course, the memory card will find a place in all kinds of photography and even video equipment. Do not forget that it comes with an SD adapter that allows you to place the drive even in DSLRs or semi-professional camcorders. Rest assured that the product will handle almost any video stream! The only exceptions are those cases when shooting is carried out in a specific format, when the bit rate exceeds 150 Mbps. But such high numbers are available only to professionals, and they use not so miniature memory cards as a place to save a video file.

Does this model have any drawbacks? You will laugh, but there are practically none. The product feels great in any device. Even in the DJI Mavic Air, which can't do without a high-speed memory card. By the way, we recommend that you read our article on the best quadcopters – it is possible that you will find something interesting for yourself!

However, the drive still has one drawback. It lies in the high cost. For a 128-gigabyte memory card, they ask for 3000 rubles, and most often a little more. But do not forget that this volume will be enough for many years. And the service life of this card is very long. It is unlikely that something will happen to her after two or three years or even more years. Confused only by the warranty period, which is only 12 months. But, apparently, the times of huge long-term guarantees provided on memory cards are far behind.

Advantages

• Supplied with SD adapter;
• Astronomically high reading speed;
• Very high write speed;
• Large amount of memory;
• High reliability.

disadvantages

• Someone will find the price tag too high.

Kingston SDCR / 32GBSP

Rating: 4.4

Another very high-speed memory card for a smartphone in our ranking. But the records mentioned above are no longer here. However, this card is much more affordable in terms of cost. Russian online stores ask for no more than 1250 rubles for this product. Although this amount may seem high to someone. Especially since the card only offers 32 GB. So, what are they asking for that kind of money?

This drive complies with the V30 class. This suggests that the memory card has been tested in hardware that records 4K video at 30fps. It turns out that the drive is ideal for most of the action cameras on the market. The only exceptions are the most expensive models that can shoot 4K video at a higher speed.

As for the speed class, you can find the UHS Class 3 mark on the packaging with the memory card. Measurements have shown full compliance with this class. Data from this card is read at speeds up to 100 MB / s. This allows you to connect the drive to a TV, and start watching even those movies that are saved in 4K resolution. If such a film fits on it. As for the write speed, it can reach 60-70 MB / s. This, as mentioned above, is enough for any video shooting. Therefore, the drive will feel great in a top smartphone.

Finally, one cannot but return to the amount of memory. It is he who is the factor that will scare away a lot of buyers from this card. The fact is that a minute and a half of 4K video, shot in 100 megabit bitrate, weighs about 1 GB. It turns out that this card can only hold 40-45 minutes of such a video. This makes you wonder if you should buy this card. Well, if you do not have a device that can use a 100-megabit bitrate when saving video, then you can consider buying a memory card with a lower speed standard – it will cost less.

This model has one more problem. The stores received a large number of defective copies. Or are they fake, it's hard to say. Be that as it may, such cards have a much lower write and read speed – we are talking literally about a couple of tens of megabytes per second. The worst thing is that this speed allows the seller not to change the drive under warranty.

Advantages

• Very high reading speed;
• High write speed;
• Affordable price tag;
• High reliability.

disadvantages

• Small amount of memory;
• There are defective and fake copies;
• No SD adapter included.

Best memory card for new smartphones Huawei (Nano SD)

Huawei NM Card 128 Gb

Rating: 4.9

At the end of 2018, the Chinese company Huawei decided to release several new smartphones equipped with a memory card slot. But the usual microSD card did not fit in it. Following smartphones Huawei, it released a new format memory card. It's called the NM Card. Or Nano SD, popularly it has such a name. This is the smallest memory card currently in existence. It was assumed that other manufacturers of similar accessories would soon take the lead. However, it's summer 2019, and third-party companies are in no hurry to produce similar products. So it turns out that while the owner of the smartphone from Huawei has to spend money on the original card.

So, what will please the Huawei NM Card? Perhaps, first of all, the card will still upset. The fact is that sellers ask for almost 6 thousand rubles for the 128 GB version! This makes the memory card the most expensive in our ranking! And believe me: Russian retail chains make a minimal mark-up, the company itself is greedy here Huawei.

As for the characteristics of the drive, they are not high by modern standards. The 128GB capacity allows you to record 4K video for hours on end. But it is no longer impressive, microSD memory cards can offer more capacity. The speed of reading information here is 90 MB / s. An attentive reader of our rating will notice that this is not a record either. The red color of the case does not play any role at all (other options are available), because the drive will be inside the smartphone.

The most difficult thing with this memory card is to determine the write speed. The fact is that so far there are no card readers on the market that support cards of this format. It turns out that you have to take measurements on a smartphone. And here everything depends not so much on the memory card as on the characteristics of the internal memory and many other components. In a word, it is not surprising that neither the manufacturer himself nor the people who leave their reviews write the exact numbers. However, it is not recommended to worry about this. We can safely say that the recording speed will definitely be enough to save videos in 4K resolution, shot using the camera built into the smartphone. And the buyer doesn't need such a card anymore. You won't be able to install Huawei NM Card 128 Gb into any professional photo or video camera that can write video with a higher bitrate – for this you would need an adapter that does not exist yet.

In short, this is a good, but very expensive memory card. Alas, the owners of, say, Huawei Mate 20 Pro simply do not have much choice. Another card simply won't fit in the tray used here. And the amount of built-in memory may not be enough for the owner of such a smartphone, especially if he regularly shoots videos in high resolution.

So far, the most annoying thing is that such a card cannot be placed in other devices. But it is possible that in the future, other smartphones, including those created by Samsung, Xiaomi and other companies, will receive a slot for Nano SD. However, it is also possible that their manufacturers will remain on the side of the more common microSD format, because the difference in the size of memory cards is not as significant as we would like.

Advantages

• High reading speed;
• Sufficiently high recording speed;
• High reliability.

disadvantages

• Terribly high price tag;
• Suitable for smartphones only Huawei.

Conclusion

This is the list of the best memory cards for phones and smartphones available on the Russian market. As you can see, many of them have a very low price tag. I am glad that the cost of a gigabyte of memory goes down almost every year. However, after this the required memory volumes grow. If earlier we could easily use a device with only 8 GB of built-in storage, now this volume can take literally 10 minutes of video shot in 4K resolution.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.