Most smartphones might have gotten rid of microSD cards in their sleek designs, but these little storage gems are still flourishing elsewhere. Some cameras are turning to this compact version of the classic SD card, and a handful of laptops have integrated them into their ports. Each year, they come with slight enhancements in speed and durability, making sure they won’t be obsolete anytime soon.
Often, microSD cards are used for transferring files between devices, yet they tend to stay inside machines for lengthy durations. Unlike USB sticks, which are much easier to remove and plug back in, memory cards can be a bit tricky to take out or insert. That’s why they often serve as semi-permanent storage extensions for gadgets and laptops, which makes these themed microSD cards kind of surprising—and maybe a tad unnecessary.
Designers: Samsung, SEGA
There are loads of fictional characters whose names instantly make you think of speed—from DC’s Flash to video game legend Sonic the Hedgehog. The latter has gained some fame after leaping from games to the big screen, splitting fans between those who love the live-action version and those who view it as a letdown. Still, that fanbase is strong enough for Samsung to dedicate a few memory cards to this franchise.
As the name suggests, the new Sonic the Hedgehog PRO Plus microSD cards merge two things renowned for speed. Samsung claims read and write speeds of up to 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, respectively, making them not just fit for cameras but also for certain gaming handhelds. So it’s no shock that Samsung would want to imprint Sonic the Hedgehog characters on these cards, regardless of whether these claims hold true or not.
What’s more, these PRO Plus microSD cards are also marketed for their durability, much like the tough heroes from the video game series. They are claimed to be resistant to water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, and even magnetic fields—elements that are deadly for data storage. The cards are purported to withstand up to 10,000 swipes, allowing you to swap them between devices about 5,000 times before they start to fail.
While the microsSD cards themselves sound quite promising, especially for their price, the design choices are somewhat debatable. For one, the characters’ heads are only printed on the tiny card, making them hard to see at first glance. Plus, you can’t really show off the designs while they’re inside devices, so there’s not much chance to flaunt your love for the blue hedgehog and his friends. Interestingly, the card with the largest capacity (1TB) doesn’t even feature Sonic’s face which kind of raises the question of who’s really the fastest among these characters.