Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?

When buying a smartphone, storage capacity is an unavoidable issue. How much capacity is appropriate? Is it cost-effective to buy a phone with less capacity and expand it with an SD card? These have become topics of concern for many, especially for Android models where the price of built-in storage is significantly higher than that of SD cards. The question of whether to buy a phone with small internal storage and expand it with an SD card, or to purchase a phone with large built-in storage, has become a necessary consideration for consumers. Below, we will discuss the nuances of smartphone storage.

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?▲ The nuances of smartphone storage

Difference Between RAM and ROM

Many people do not understand the difference between RAM and ROM. In fact, RAM in a smartphone is equivalent to the memory in a computer, while ROM is akin to a computer’s hard drive.

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?▲ Smartphone RAM is equivalent to computer memory

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is volatile and can be read and written at any time, with very fast speeds. However, since RAM cannot retain data after power is turned off, it is only used for temporary data storage. The reason computers and smartphones have RAM is due to its high-speed nature. When running applications, various data exchanges occur in the high-speed RAM, ensuring the program’s response speed. The impact of ROM on smartphone operating speed is relatively minor.

The size of RAM depends on the application’s demands. Generally, there is a limit to the data throughput of an application. Therefore, once the RAM of a computer or smartphone reaches a certain value, it has little effect on the overall operating speed of the device. Currently, 16GB of RAM for computers and 4GB for smartphones is usually sufficient.

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?▲ Smartphone ROM is equivalent to a computer’s hard drive

ROM generally represents the internal storage space of a smartphone, retaining data even when powered off. It is crucial for storing data such as music, images, and basic data for applications. However, the read speed of ROM is slower, especially compared to RAM, making it unable to support the data throughput required for program execution, thus necessitating the existence of RAM. However, with advancements in technology, once the read/write speed of ROM reaches that of RAM, RAM may eventually become obsolete, although this seems a distant prospect.
Of course, ROM also has a certain impact on the operating speed of smartphones. When an application starts or runs, there is a data exchange between RAM and ROM. In this data exchange, the faster the ROM access speed, the quicker the program’s response time. This is why smartphone manufacturers are continuously seeking to improve the read/write speed of ROM.
Difference Between Internal Storage (ROM) and SD Cards
It can be said that there is no fundamental difference between internal storage and SD cards in terms of nature; both can be used for data storage and exchange. However, they differ significantly in speed.

This speed difference was not significant during the Android 2.X era, making expanding with an SD card a good choice. Even installing applications directly on the SD card did not greatly affect the overall operating speed of the device. At that time, the Android system widely supported the APP2SD feature.

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?▲ Support for SD cards in smartphones is becoming less suitable

However, as technology has progressed, this gap has widened, especially in terms of random read and write speeds, which have become vastly different. This means that installing programs on an expanded SD card can severely impact program execution speed. Therefore, currently, most smartphones do not support APP2SD. SD cards are now mainly used for storing images, music, or video data.
Moreover, since SD cards are not controlled by smartphone manufacturers, their quality varies greatly, and their stability is inconsistent. This poses a threat to the security and stability of the entire smartphone’s data. To ensure stable operation, it is likely that more brands will abandon support for expandable SD card functionality.
Is the Lack of SD Card Support in Smartphones for Profit?

Regarding this issue, I want to say that some smartphone manufacturers indeed have this motive. For example, Apple’s iPhone has a substantial price difference between different capacities, which greatly exceeds the cost requirement. Larger capacities certainly bring them higher profits, and the iPhone does not support expandable SD cards, leaving users with no choice.

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?▲ The lack of SD support in iPhones is profit-driven

In contrast, Android smartphone brands are more rational. Although the price increase for larger capacities compared to the same capacity SD cards is higher, considering the faster speed and stability of the phone, it is still very worthwhile. Even if these brands profit, it is not excessively so.
How to Choose Between Internal Storage and SD Cards?

So, how should one choose between internal storage and SD cards? Without a doubt, one should choose internal storage for its speed and stability, especially for those who require larger capacity due to installing many applications. However, if the installed applications do not occupy much space and most of the data consists of images, music, or videos, smartphone users can still opt for expandable SD cards, as they are relatively more cost-effective.

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?▲ Smartphones should avoid using expandable SD cards

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?

For advertisement and business cooperation, please email: [email protected]
PlayFriend Union – The Tech and Digital Hub

Should You Use an SD Card in Your Smartphone?Click “Read Original” for more

Related posts

  1. Android Go: The Solution for Low-End Devices
  2. Optimizing Android System Cold Boot Time
  3. Quickly Connect Your NodeMCU-ESP8266 Device to the Cloud in Minutes
  4. How to Use Camera Remote Video Monitoring Module in Your Design
  5. Exploring Mobile Processors: The Most Complex Chips in the World
  6. Overview of Open Source Processors and SoCs Based on RISC-V Architecture
  7. The Truth About Whether There is Liquid in LCD Screens
  8. Getting Started with Embedded Hardware: Should You Choose Arduino or Raspberry Pi?
  9. Why Our Company Still Uses Python for Development
  10. Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Arcade Machine: A Complete Guide
  11. Integrating FPGA with MIPI Camera into NVIDIA AGX Developer Kit
  12. CO Alarm Simulation Design with 51 Microcontroller
  13. Valuation Analysis of Tianshan Electronics: LCD Screens and Display Modules
  14. The Ultimate Home Server Everyone Can Use
  15. Comprehensive Guide to ARM Cortex-A Programmer Documentation
  16. Cross-Platform Architecture Patterns
  17. Overview of VR Devices: Headsets, All-in-Ones, and Mobile
  18. The Challenges of Traditional Automakers in the IoT Era

Leave a Comment