How many myths about memory cards do you know? How many do you consider not being myths because you never checked if that’s true? I know at least 5 that I hear almost every single time when some average non-technical person shares reasons for buying this or that memory card. Let’s bust some myths!

MEMORY CARD CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO VARIOUS GADGETS

If you transfer the media from the camera to your smartphone, there is no guarantee that the card will work. Formatting is not the reason. Each gadget creates its own software for caching and data protection. Due to a software mismatch, the smartphone will either not detect the media from the camera or will not be able to save anything on it. And there is a risk of data loss. So it is better not to experiment, and buy a separate memory stick for each device.

ANY MEMORY CARD IS COMPATIBLE WITH ANY DEVICE

First of all and the corniest – there are several form factors of memory cards that differ in shape and size. You won’t argue that a 15 x 11 mm microSD card slot can hold a 32 x 24 mm SD card. At least, it’s not going to work 🙂

Secondly, there are several generations of memory cards of the same format. Examples of SecureDigital cards are SD, SDHC, and SDXC. Such devices are backward compatible. Each new generation of SD and microSD cards is compatible with the previous ones. Thus, you can insert an SDHC generation card into the SDXC memory card slot and it will work. But the opposite can not be done.

Additionally, your device may have a limit on the amount of memory it can hold.

MEMORY CAPACITY – THE MAIN CRITERIA

From the point of view of the average user – everything is logical. The more memory the merrier. But it is more correct to choose the appropriate volume, as well as the class of the card. Roughly speaking, smartphone media will not always be suitable for SLR cameras. The specifics of the device matter. So look for the information your gadget manufacturer recommends. 

The main thing, before you buy, to determine what qualities the card must have to become a faithful and reliable assistant. It is important to take into account every detail: the optimal size, the required volume, the recording speed specified by the manufacturer.

ADDING A CARD WITH TOO MUCH MEMORY MAKES MY SMARTPHONE SUFFERING

The source of this myth is the previous generation of microSD cards, which really outperformed the data transfer rate of the internal memory. If you use A2 (Application Performance Class 2) media, there will be no “lags”. You can safely choose the media as the main source of memory, install programs, and games on it. This works not only for smartphones but also for other devices with any operating system.

MEMORY CARDS ARE SENSITIVE AND FRAGILE

This is the most stupid myth I have heard. You need to see the memory card that my dad owns. It is 7 years old now. It does not even have a case anymore.

Memory cards are designed to work in the range from -25 to +85 degrees Celsius. They will easily withstand our frosts or hot summers. Not only that: the carrier is resistant to X-rays, easily tolerates contact with water. If the card fell into the water – just dry it. So the only thing you need to protect the media from is strong mechanical influences.