SD card for your smartphone: you have to be aware of that

An SD card is sometimes the last chance to save your smartphone when the storage space is running out. But with an offer that is teeming with models, manufacturers and technical terms, the choice is not so easy.

Most important features of the smartphone SD card

Whether for system updates, photos or apps, the storage space on the cell phone is often not enough at the back and front. With a suitable microSD card, however, you can gain up to 2 terabytes of storage.

• Important: Not every microSD card is compatible with every smartphone. The cards are available in the classes SD (up to 2 GB), SDHC (2 to 32 GB) and SDXC (64 GB to 2 TB). These each have their own formatting that not every smartphone recognizes. Check the formatting of your cell phone in the manufacturer's information.
• Read and write speed is also important. Speed ​​classes from 2 to 10 indicate the minimum speed in MB / s, but are on their own slower than cards with UHS standard I or even II. Both are stated directly on the card. The same applies here: Not all smartphones are UHS compatible.
• The access speed is especially important if you plan to outsource apps. However, they rarely state manufacturers.

The right SD card for your requirements

Depending on your requirements and which card variants your smartphone is compatible with, you should select your SD card.

• If your device is only SDHC compatible, you can use a maximum of 32 additional GB. If you plan to save pictures and videos in 4K / Full HD on the card, you need UHS U3 / U1 standard, for simple HD Speed ​​Class 10 is sufficient.
• There are also enormous differences in price, but you can get decent models in the lower classes for less than 20 euros. Orient yourself calmly on comparison lists.

Read here what to do if your computer does not recognize the SD card.