The Samsung PRO Plus microSD card is Samsungs newest card for creative professionals looking for a compact and versatile option. The microSD variant was released alongside the full-size PRO Plus SD card that we also reviewed. The memory card is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
The Samsung PRO Plus microSD card is Samsungs newest card for creative professionals looking for a compact and versatile option. The microSD variant was released alongside the full-size PRO Plus SD card that we also reviewed. The memory card is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
MicroSDs such as this one are often found in smartphones, tablets, cameras, and even drones. MicroSDs have become more common than full-size SDs in professional settings lately. It’s easy to envision why when taking a minute to imagine the large number of components that go into something like a phone for instance. With consumers demanding thinner and lighter technology, the manufacturing of smaller components starts to make sense. Because of this, getting smaller and lighter seems to be the way to go.
Samsung PRO Plus microSD Card
The last PRO Plus microSD we reviewed was released back in 2021. The new microSD is similar to the older generation, but that isn’t to say it doesn’t have a few meaningful upgrades worth mentioning.
Samsung claims read and write activity of up to 180MB/s and 130MB/s respectively. This is up from 160MB/s read and 120MB/s write, amounting to a 12% increase in reads and an 8% increase in writes compared to the previous model.
It’s also worth mentioning the memory card comes with application performance class A2 support, along with a video speed class rating of V30. This makes the card ideal for consumers seeking good performance and quick transfer of large files. Both of these metrics are proudly displayed on the front of the microSD.
The PRO Plus can be purchased in a kit with a reader which uses a USB type A connector. This works for a lot of consumers, but those using Macs or other thin devices likely don’t have access to a type A port. Users in this predicament will need to purchase an adaptor for the type A connector separately. This isn’t the end of the world though, we found a set of two Anker USB A to C adaptors on sale for only $6.
Samsung PRO Plus microSD Card Reliability
The new PRO Plus SD cards now feature seven-proof protection, up from the previous six-proof protection. These specs can be seen below.
- Waterproof: 1-meter depth, saltwater, 72hrs
- Temperature proof: Operating temperatures of -25℃ to 85℃, non-operating temperatures of -40℃ to 85℃
- X-ray proof: 100mGy (which is equal to airport X-ray machines)
- Magnet-proof: Up to 15,000 gauss
- Shockproof: shock up to 1,500g (gravitational acceleration)
- Drop: withstand drops up to 5 meters (or 16.4 feet)
- Wearout: up to 10,000 swipes
The card’s resilience is actually quite useful for users who are constantly on the go. This paired with Samsung’s generous 10-year warranty (with 1 year of SD adaptor warranty) makes this card a great choice in terms of reliability.
As of writing this review, the Samsung PRO Plus microSD card 512GB is currently listed on Amazon for $34.99. The reader is available as an option for a $5 premium. Users not in need of a microSD can check out the full-size PRO Plus SD card.
Samsung PRO Plus microSD Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
| Interface | UHS-I |
| SD Standard | SDXC |
| Performance (Read) | Up to 180MB/s |
| Performance (Write) | Up to 130MB/s |
| Speed Class | U3, V30, A2, Class 10 |
| Certification | FCC, CE, VCCI, RCM |
| Multiproof | Water, Temperature, X-Ray, Magnet, Drop, Wearout, Shock |
| Warranty | Limited 10-year warranty (SD Adaptor, 1-year warranty) |
Samsung PRO Plus microSD Card Performance
We tested the Samsung PRO Plus microSD with the bundled Samsung reader via our Lenovo ThinkStation P520 testbed. We will be comparing results from the PRO Plus to the SanDisk Extreme PRO microSD, another relevant microSD on the market.
- Samsung PRO Plus microSD ($34.99 for 512GB)
- SanDisk Extreme PRO microSD ($47.99 for 512GB)
Starting with the Blackmagic benchmark, the card posted results that were under what the spec sheet stated. We saw read speeds of 158.8MB/s and write speeds of 125.7MB/s. This is under the claimed figures of 180MB/s and 130MB/s read and write respectively. In all fairness, it does state that the card can reach UP to these figures, but the somewhat large 21.2MB/s discretion in read performance is too big to fully ignore.
The SanDisk Extreme PRO is the clear winner in our Blackmagic testing. This was expected though considering the SanDisk microSD is $13 more expensive.
| Disk Speed Test | Samsung PRO Plus microSD | SanDisk Extreme PRO microSD |
|---|---|---|
| Read | 158.8 MB/s | 191.1 MB/s |
| Write | 125.7 MB/s | 133.2 MB/s |
Moving to synthetic testing using IOMeter 1 thread, we saw similar results to the Blackmagic test. The microSD performed well in sequential 2MB reads and writes. It then dropped a little lower in the random 2MB reads and writes, but this is to be expected for this classification of microSD. The PRO Plus did excellent with the random 4k read and write testing, with IOPS counts over 2x higher than the SanDisk microSD.
| IOMeter (1 Thread) | Samsung PRO Plus microSD | SanDisk Extreme PRO microSD |
| Seq 2MB Read | 157.0 MB/s | 191 MB/s |
| Seq 2MB Write | 125.5 MB/s | 135 MB/s |
| Random 2MB Read | 149.6 MB/s | 167 MB/s |
| Random 2MB Write | 101.2 MB/s | 96 MB/s |
| Random 4K Read | 2626 IOPS | 1349 IOPS |
| Random 4K Write | 1645 IOPS | 601 IOPS |
Final Thoughts
MicroSD is becoming more popular as manufacturers and consumers seek components that are lighter and take up less space. The PRO Plus microSD is Samsung’s solution to the rising demand. MicroSDs like the PRO Plus can be found in smartphones, tablets, cameras, and drones, or in this case even on a sloth!
The Samsung microSD performed well, but slightly under what was quoted. This is not a huge deal though considering the PRO Plus hit 158.8 MB/s read and 125.7 MB/s write in our Blackmagic test. Better yet, the SD card hit 2626 IOPS read and 1645 IOPS write in our Random 4K testing.
The PRO Plus microSD starts to look even more viable when we take a look at the price. The microSD is currently going for $34.99 for 512 GB along with an extra few bucks for a reader. SanDisk has better performance in most categories, but the better value of the Samsung microSD makes for a solid argument when evaluating the two competitors. Regardless, both cards offer enough speed for creative professionals working with high-quality 4k video, so it’s really down to the user to decide which microSD works best for them.
Users looking for a reasonably priced solution that provides great performance should definitely take a look at the Samsung PRO Plus micro SD.
Samsung PRO Plus microSD on Amazon
