New UFS Memory Cards to Take Down microSD Cards

It looks like microSD memory cards would be having tough competition as Samsung’s latest removable memory cards are just hinting to be the new requirement for memory storage devices.

Samsung announced its Universal Flash Storage (UFS) removable memory card – a range of it with capacities of 32, 64, 128, and 256 GB for use in DSLR cameras, 3D VR cameras, action cameras as well as drones.

Reading sequentially at 530MB/s, the new UFS memory cards offer more than 5 times faster sequential read performance as compared to maximum 100MB/s of a UHS-I microSD card. UHS-II microSD cards max out at 156MB/s read speed. In simple words, a UFS memory card can read a 5 Gig of full HD movie in around 10 seconds only, whereas a typical UHS-I microSD card would take over 50 seconds.

On the writing performance, the new UFS memory card impressively can go up to 170MB/s sequential write speed which is almost a double the speed of today’s top-end microSD cards. UHS-II writes at up to 90MB/s while UHS-I max write speed is 60MB/s.

According to Korean manufacturer, the UFS card is most suitable for DSLR cameras that can lead consumers having reduced data download time, which in turn would provide better photo thumbnail loading time and buffer clearing time in burst shooting mode. Practically, the UFS memory card can shoot 24 large/extra fine (1,120MB-equivalent) JPEG photographs continuously with a high-end DSLR camera in less than 7 seconds (160MB/s), compared to ~32 seconds (35MB/s) of UHS-I microSD card.

“Our new 256GB UFS card will provide an ideal user experience for digitally-minded consumers and lead the industry in establishing the most competitive memory card solution,” – said Jung-bae Lee, senior vice president, Memory Product Planning & Application Engineering, Samsung Electronics.

He also added: “By launching our new high-capacity, high-performance UFS card line-up, we are changing the growth paradigm of the memory card market to prioritize performance and user convenience above all.”

However, there is a need to mention that SanDisk has also released its “Extreme” 256GB microSD XC Type UHS-I memory card. This specific card offers 100MB/s read speed and 90MB/s write speed and it also targets cameras including action and drone ones as well as smartphones.

While the UFS memory cards from Samsung are not near to be available in consumer devices soon as well as the shape and chip on the card informs pretty well that it won’t support the slots made for traditional microSD cards. Samsung has not yet announced the availability of this UFS memory card, nor they have revealed about the devices in which the memory card will be usable. So there’s a good chance that it’s not yet ready to give a tough time to the already existent microSD cards.

Considering the price factor, if Samsung has plans to make it available in competitive prices, it really is going to take down microSD cards in new future. Do let us know about your thoughts over the prolonged technology.