What just happened? Samsung has announced a line of microSD and SD cards designed for professionals such as photographers and content creators who need the best read and write speeds, efficiency, reliability, and durability. The headline feature being pushed by Samsung is the cards’ ability to reach 200 MB/s read speeds.
Samsung’s Pro Ultimate cards are the company’s new flagship microSD/SD products. They use the UHS-I interface and are recommended for devices such as laptops, drones, and PCs.
There are several storage options for each Pro Ultimate form factor: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB for the full-sized SD cards; 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB for the microSD versions.
Samsung highlights the fact that these cards can reach sequential read speeds of up to 200 MB/s and write speeds of 130 MB/s. This allows the seamless transfer of massive files such as 4K videos with Video Speed Class 30 (V30) support, though that rating only promises a minimum transfer speed of at least 30 MB/s.
According to Samsung, the cards can load a game as quickly as 31.5 seconds, transfer 200 photos from PC to card in as fast as 0.6 seconds, and transfer one 1.3 GB movie from PC to card in as swiftly as 11.2 seconds.
The Pro Ultimate cards also promise reliable performance, thanks to the controller’s enhanced Error Correction Code (ECC) engine and multi-proof protection features that ensure safer data storage over extended periods of time.
“With an upgrade to the ECC’s Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code from a 1-kilobyte (KB) to a 2KB engine, the Pro Ultimate offers enhanced durability for a higher volume of write-and-erase cycles,” writes Samsung, adding that this prevents data loss so consumers can use the cards with confidence.
The cards are also durable, which should make them ideal for drone owners and general outdoor use. They can survive being submerged in water up to two meters deep for 72 hours, have drop-proof protection from heights of up to five meters, and have wear-out protection for up to 10,000 swipes.
The cards can also operate in temperatures ranging from -13°F to 185°F, come with X-ray and magnetic protection, and the SD card has shock protection of up to 1,500g.
The Pro Ultimate microSD and SD cards are available now. They come with a 10-year limited warranty and are priced as follows:
Pro Ultimate microSD card
- 128GB: $20.99 ($28.99 with card reader)
- 256GB: $40.99 ($48.99 with card reader)
- 512GB: $64.99 ($72.99 with card reader)
Pro Ultimate SD card
- 64GB: $18.99 ($26.99 with card reader)
- 128GB: $36.99 ($44.99 with card reader)
- 256GB: $54.99 ($62.99 with card reader)
- 512GB: $84.99 ($92.99 with card reader)