SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC Memory Card ($200)

SanDisk Corporation announced its 128GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I memory card.

Smaller than the size of a fingernail, the microSDXC card enables consumers to use their phones and tablets as if storage limitations were never a concern, allowing users to capture thousands of songs and photos, and hours of video on a single card.

“SanDisk’s high-performance 128GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC memory card will reshape the way users interact with their devices,” said Stuart Robinson, director, handset component technologies, Strategy Analytics. “Until now, consumers had to spread out their content between multiple products because the memory on those devices was not able to hold enough data in one place. This 128GB microSD card is going to be popular as the preferred removable storage option, giving users fast, secure and reliable access to their personal data archives.“

Tailored for Smartphone and Tablet Users
Designed for Android smartphones and tablets, the card provides consumers high storage capacity in a removable form factor. For shooting full HD video and high-quality pictures, the card delivers twice the speed of ordinary microSD memory cards and offers the high video recording performance.

“The new SanDisk Ultra microSDXC card again demonstrates how SanDisk continues to expand the possibilities of storage so that consumers can benefit from our latest technology advancements,” said Susan Park, director, retail product marketing, SanDisk. “With 128GB of removable storage, consumers will enjoy the freedom to capture and save whatever they want on a smartphone or tablet, without worrying about running out of storage space.“

Memory Zone App – Organize, Optimize, and Backup Android Smartphones
An updated version of the Memory Zone app (available on the Google Play store in beta) lets users view, access, and backup their files from their phone’s memory in one place. As a part of the app, the company is releasing OptiMem, a feature that allows Android users to enhance their phone’s internal memory by transferring some of their old photos and videos to their microSD card. It will monitor the user’s mobile device memory levels, and inform them whenever the internal memory falls below a pre-defined threshold.

Technological Progress
Compared to when the microSD card format was first launched in 2004 with 128MB of capacity, the company has increased storage capacity of microSD cards 1,000 times over in less than a decade with the 128GB card. To enable 128GB of storage on a removable microSD card, it developed a proprietary technique that allows for 16 memory die to be vertically stacked, each shaved to be thinner than a strand of hair.

“The technology used to design the 128GB Ultra microSDXC card is well in line with what mobile users expect, and demonstrates SanDisk’s commitment to mobility,” said Christopher Chute, research director, worldwide digital imaging, IDC. “Being able to fit this much capacity into a microSD card smaller than a fingernail is a game changer, and expands the possibilities of what people can do with their mobile devices. The 128GB Ultra microSDXC card frees users from constant concerns around storage limitations.“

TheUltra microSD memory cards family is available in capacities ranging from 8GB to 128GB with MSRPs of $29.99 to $199.99.

In the U.S., the 128GB card is available at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com.