What is the best micro SD card for music on Android phone?
Benefits of Using a Micro SD Card for Music on Android Phones
Having a dedicated micro SD card for storing music files on your Android phone provides several advantages. A micro SD card expands the storage capacity of your phone so you can load it up with more music. The internal storage on most Android phones ranges from 32GB to 128GB. A micro SD card can add anywhere from 32GB to 1TB of additional space. This allows you to store thousands more songs locally on your device.
Another benefit is keeping your music separate from other files and apps on your phone’s internal storage. By dedicating a micro SD card solely for music, you prevent your music library from competing for space with photos, videos, apps, and other data. The music card also helps organize your content.
Transferring music files from one device to another is easier with a micro SD card. You can remove the card from an old phone and insert it in a new phone to migrate your music library. A dedicated music SD card also allows you to quickly add new music by simply copying files over to the card.
Micro SD cards are removable and portable so you can take your music with you wherever you go. You can insert the card into another device like a car stereo or portable speaker to listen to your music collection anywhere.
Overall, having extra onboard storage for music that keeps your library separate from other files provides convenience and flexibility.
Storage Capacity Needed
The amount of storage needed for music on your Android phone depends on the size of your music library. If you only have a few albums or playlists, you may be able to get by with a 32GB or 64GB micro SD card. However, if you have an extensive collection with hundreds of albums and songs, you’ll need a larger capacity card.
According to a Reddit user, they have 117GB of music files, mostly in AAC format [1]. This shows that large lossless music collections can easily exceed 100GB.
As a general rule, Lifewire recommends at least 64GB for a modest music library and 128GB or more for an extensive collection with hundreds of albums and playlists [2]. With a 64GB card, you may need to manage your storage by deleting songs you no longer listen to. A 128GB or 256GB card gives you room to grow your library over time.
Speed Class Rating
SD cards are given speed ratings known as speed classes to indicate their performance capabilities. The speed class refers to the minimum guaranteed sustained write speed of the card. There are several types of speed classes for SD cards:
The most common classes are Class 2, Class 4, Class 6, and Class 10, with the number denoting the minimum write speed in megabytes per second. For example, Class 10 cards have a minimum write speed of 10 MB/s.
Beyond the minimum guaranteed speeds, there are also UHS Speed Classes that indicate even faster performance, such as U1 and U3. As per the SD Association, U1 cards have a minimum write speed of 10MB/s while U3 cards have a minimum write speed of 30MB/s.
For high resolution video recording, Video Speed Classes like V6, V10, V30, V60, and V90 denote the minimum write speeds in MB/s. V30, indicating 30MB/s write speed, is considered ideal for 4K video.
For apps, A1 and A2 ratings denote cards optimized for faster app performance. The A1 class has a minimum read speed of 10MB/s and write speed of 5MB/s, while A2 is faster at 15MB/s read and 10 MB/s write.
When choosing a microSD card for music, a Class 10 or U1 card offers a good balance of speed and value. The faster read and write speeds allow for quick transfer of audio files.
Brand reliability
When it comes to micro SD cards, brand reputation and reliability are very important. Some of the most well-known and reliable brands for micro SD cards include:
Samsung – Samsung is widely considered one of the top brands for micro SD cards, known for fast speeds and reliability. Their PRO Plus and EVO Select lines are very popular. According to one Reddit thread, Samsung EVO is frequently mentioned as a good brand in reviews.
SanDisk – Another very reputable brand, SanDisk makes high-performing and durable micro SD cards. Their microSDXC card for Nintendo Switch gets top marks as a budget pick according to Wirecutter.
Kingston – Kingston is another well-established brand that makes reliable micro SD cards suited for various uses like phones, gaming, and more. It’s frequently recommended in reviews according to the same Reddit thread.
Lexar and PNY are two other brands that get positive mentions, though they may not be quite as ubiquitous as the top brands mentioned.
When shopping for a micro SD card, sticking with one of these major, reputable brands is a good way to ensure getting a quality, reliable product.
Durability
Durability and reliability are crucial when selecting a micro SD card for long-term music storage. Most micro SD cards are designed to withstand extreme conditions like temperature fluctuations, water, drops, shocks, and X-rays (source). Based on current flash memory technology, SD cards have an expected lifespan of 10+ years with normal use (source).
However, heavy usage can cause cards to wear out faster. Thankfully, top brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Kingston extensively test their cards to ensure they can withstand real-world conditions. Their high-endurance micro SD lines are optimized for applications requiring frequent rewriting like dash cams and home security cameras.
For music storage, average use will be low write cycles – adding new music to the card infrequently. So as long as you buy a reputable brand and handle the card properly, it should reliably store your music library for years.
Price range
The price of micro SD cards varies significantly depending on the storage capacity. Here are some typical price ranges:
- 16GB: $5 – $15
- 32GB: $10 – $25
- 64GB: $15 – $35
- 128GB: $25 – $55
- 256GB: $50 – $100
- 512GB: $100 – $250
- 1TB: $250+
As you can see, the price tends to double with each doubling of capacity. The lowest capacity cards of 16-32GB can be very affordable, while high capacity 1TB cards are still quite expensive.
When shopping, consider how much storage you need for the intended use. For example, 16GB may be sufficient for some basic music storage needs, while heavy users may require 128GB or higher.
Top micro SD card picks
Based on extensive research from sources like The New York Times and TechRadar, here are the top micro SD cards to consider for Android music playback:
Samsung EVO Select
Pros:
- Very fast 100MB/s read speed
- Affordable price for most users
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Not the highest capacity options available
SanDisk Extreme Pro
Pros:
- Extremely fast 170MB/s read speed
- Rugged and durable build
- High capacity options up to 1TB
Cons:
- More expensive than lower-tier options
Silicon Power Superior Elite
Pros:
- Great balance of speed (100MB/s) and affordability
- 5-year warranty
- Class 10 for full HD video support
Cons:
- Lower brand recognition than Samsung/SanDisk
Where to Buy
You can purchase micro SD cards from reputable electronics retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. These retailers sell memory cards from major brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Sony, and more.
Some options for purchasing micro SD cards include:
- Best Buy – Large selection of micro SD cards for various uses and budgets
- Walmart – Affordable prices on memory cards from top brands
- Amazon – Convenient online ordering with free shipping options
Be sure to compare prices, speeds, capacities, and features when deciding where to purchase your micro SD card.
Using the Micro SD Card
Properly inserting a micro SD card is key to being able to store and listen to music. Here are some tips when using a micro SD card in your Android phone:
- Locate the micro SD card slot on your phone, typically on the side or bottom near the charging port. Carefully push the card into the slot until it clicks and locks in place.
- Open Settings > Storage on your phone to view and manage files on your SD card.
- Use a file explorer app to view, copy, move or delete your music files. Apps like Files by Google or CX File Explorer make file management easy.
- Download a music player app that supports playing songs from SD cards. Some options are BlackPlayer, JetAudio, Musicolet (https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/111166/how-to-listen-to-music-off-an-sd-card).
- Within your music player app, navigate to the SD card folder to access your music library.
- Don’t remove the micro SD card while music is playing. First tap Settings > Storage > Unmount SD card to safely disconnect.
Following these steps correctly will allow you listen to music stored on your micro SD card seamlessly.
Micro SD Card for Music Playback FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions people have about using micro SD cards to store and play music on Android devices:
How much storage capacity do I need for music?
The storage capacity you need depends on the size of your music collection and how high the audio quality is. A good rule of thumb is you’ll need about 500MB-1GB of storage space per hour of 128Kbps MP3 music. So, anywhere from 16GB to 128GB or more is recommended if you have an extensive music library with high bitrate audio files.
Which speed class rating is best?
Most experts recommend getting a micro SD card with a UHS speed class rating of U3 and video speed class rating of V30 or above for playing music. This ensures fast enough write and read speeds so music playback is smooth without any delays or choppiness. The Samsung EVO Select cards are top-rated and meet these specs.
How long do micro SD cards last for music?
Most micro SD cards have a typical lifespan of around 5-10 years with normal everyday use. Cards that support wear leveling to evenly distribute writes across storage cells, like the Samsung EVO Select line, tend to have better longevity. Factors like excessive heat, humidity, or physical impacts can shorten lifespan.