These Obscure Memory Cards Exhibit Remarkable Speed and are Poised to Get Even Faster

Storage devices exemplify the rapid evolution of technology.

Floppy drives, CDs, flash drives, SD cards, and microSD cards are all storage methods that have evolved considerably over the years. Nonetheless, the subsequent iteration has arrived and, as one might anticipate, it is even swifter.

What is UFS and what accounts for its superior speed?

Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a high-performance interface designed specifically for smartphones and other systems that demand low power while providing high-speed data transfers. This technology is not novel, as the initial UFS cards emerged in 2016.

It operates in a manner akin to eMMC and SSD, however with superior performance compared to eMMC and occasionally matching SSD data transfer rates. A primary reason for UFS's speed is its full duplex interface, which enables simultaneous data reading and writing, hence reducing latency and facilitating expedited data transfer.

UFS 4.0 represents the most recent version of the standard. It offers a read speed of up to 4,200 MB/s and a write speed of 2,800 MB/s, nearly twice the performance of UFS 3.1. It is up to 46 percent more efficient than UFS 3.1.

microSD versus UFS Cards

If you are utilizing a memory card, it is likely either an SD or microSD format. UFS cards provide superior speed and energy efficiency, resulting in enhanced data transfer rates and improved battery longevity for your device.

For instance, utilizing a UFS card in a camera facilitates swifter data transfer rates, enabling the capture of a greater number of photographs while continuously pressing the shutter button for burst shooting. A UFS card enables greater resolution and frame rate video recording without depletion, in contrast to an SD or microSD card.

Regarding battery life, the disparity will not be as pronounced as that observed in data transfer speeds; however, it is possible to extend battery longevity slightly. Consequently, it is challenging to provide a precise figure, given the multitude of devices compatible with microSD or UFS cards.

It is important to note that although all microSD cards may appear identical, their performance can differ significantly. This may result in errors when purchasing microSD cards, perhaps causing you to forfeit performance advantages. UFS is currently not encountering any such issues.

Disadvantages You Should Acknowledge

While transitioning to a UFS card may seem advantageous, several limits must be acknowledged. Two, to be exact:

• The cost of UFS cards can be considerably higher than that of SD or microSD alternatives.

• Compatibility: UFS cards necessitate a dedicated slot, which has not yet been embraced by several devices.

Due to these two factors, SD/microSD cards remain more prevalent. Nearly all devices featuring expandable or removable storage will accommodate an SD or microSD card slot. Due to their relatively lower cost, one can acquire a high-speed card at a fraction of the price of a comparable capacity UFS card.

The expense and compatibility create a detrimental cycle that prevents UFS from becoming ubiquitous, particularly in smartphones. Most contemporary smartphones utilize UFS for internal storage and do not offer expanded storage options.

For phones that have expandable storage, utilizing an uncommon card slot for a pricier UFS card will inevitably increase expenses. Due to increasingly competitive pricing, manufacturers are opting for less expensive, more prevalent storage solutions, which may explain why utilizing SD cards with your Android phone is not advisable.

Should You Abandon microSD in Favor of UFS?

If your device is compatible with a UFS card, it is advisable to utilize one. UFS provides significantly superior speeds and power efficiency compared to eMMC, SD, or microSD. Nonetheless, microSD continues to benefit from widespread usage and a lower price point, preventing UFS from achieving mainstream status despite its advantages.