What’s the Difference Between SD and Micro SD Memory Cards?

Memory cards are used to expand the storage capacity of mobile phones, SLRs, Dash cam, Drone and the other electronic products. Normally we often refer to the memory card as SD card. But in fact, what we called is not accurate, there are many types of memory cards, SD card is only one of them, and one of them is Micro SD Memory Card (TF card). So what is the difference between TF card and SD card? The following explanation will give you one detailed introduction.

1. The Size is different between SD Card and Micro SD Card

The size of the Micro SD card and the SD card is very different. Simply speaking, the SD card is larger and the Micro SD card is smaller. The specific size of the SD card is 24 mm x 32 mm x 2.1 mm, while the TF card is 15 mm x 11 mm x 1 mm. Therefore, it is inaccurate to call the memory card of the mobile phone SD card. It is actually a Micro SD card, which is what we also call TF card.

2. The application of them is different

The Bulk SD card means secure digital card, and its working principle is based on semiconductor flash memory. Moreover, the origin of the SD card is earlier, and it is the result of research and development at the end of the last century. The full name of the TF card is T-Flash Card, which is one kind of memory card. The memory technology used is relatively new NAND MLC. The TF card was launched in 2004 and is about five years behind the SD card.

SD cards are commonly used in digital cameras, baby monitors, or handheld computers. Because it is flash memory, it can be used to store files, similar to a USB flash drive. However, you need to use a card reader to read or write to the SD card on a regular desktop. SD memory card is a completely open standard (system), mostly used in MP3, digital video cameras, digital cameras, e-books, AV equipment, etc., especially widely used in ultra-thin digital cameras.

The Micro SD card is one very small flash memory card. It is a memory card used in mobile phones, GPS, Dash cam, drone and the other digital devices. The format is invented by SanDisk. The design of the Micro SD card is based on the SD architecture. The size is almost as small as one nail cover.

It is formerly known as Trans-flash Card, the SDA Association officially changed its name to Micro SD Card at the end of 2004. Before the launch of the Micro SD, mobile phone manufacturers used embedded memory. Although these modules are easy to install, they are not able to meet the demands of the current trend — capacity is limited. There is no more upgrade space in the phones. And Then Micro SD emulates the SIM card application mode; it means the same card can be used in different types of mobile phones, so that mobile phone manufacturers no longer have to worry about plug-in R&D design.

3. The max capacity is different

In terms of storage capacity, there are also some differences between SD cards and TF cards. Specifically, the SD card capacity we can find in the market is as small as 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc., and the max capacity is up to 512GB and 2TB. However, the maximum capacity of the TF card can only reach 512GB due to the limitation of volume.

4. The security technology is different

In terms of security technology, there is one protection switch on the SD card, while the TF card does not have that lock. Moreover, the current SD card has developed extreme high-speed card, but the TF card has not yet.

The biggest feature of the SD card is that the encryption function can ensure the security and confidentiality of the data. It also has copyright protection technology, and the copyright protection technology used is CPRM technology (recordable media content protection) used in DVD. The SD card has the characteristics of small size, large capacity, shock resistance, high temperature resistance, stable performance, permanent and effective data storage, no noise, and no seek error. It is one popular memory card. The SD card is connected to the standard ATA IDE interface. As a standard IDE storage device, it is also possible to store the software installation program.

However, although there are many differences between SD cards and TF cards, their essence is the same — they are all memory cards. If you want to select these two types of memory cards separately, then the SD card is often used in the camera, and the TF card is used for the dash cam, mobile phone and GPS. If you want to consider the cost of the purchase, you can choose the TF card, because the TF card can be converted into one SD card with an SD adapter, but the SD card can’t turn into one micro SD Card. Therefore, the TF card is, relatively speaking, more economical and flexible.

What’s the Difference Between SD and Micro SD Memory Cards? was originally published in Hacker Noon on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.