I’m looking to upgrade my phone and need more storage for apps and photos. Which Samsung models still come with an SD card slot? I want to make sure I can expand storage easily.
Hey there,
So, if you’re looking for a Samsung phone with an SD card slot, there’s some good news and some bad news. The trend with modern smartphones, including Samsung’s flagship models, has been moving towards eliminating the SD card slot. However, there are still some models that feature expandable storage.
Current Models with SD Card Slots:
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Samsung Galaxy S20 vs S21 vs S22 series:
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Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra: All these models come with expandable storage through a microSD card slot. Definitely, the way to go if you’re looking to expand storage up to 1TB.
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Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra: These models do not have a microSD card slot. Samsung decided to remove this handy feature starting with the S21 lineup.
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Galaxy S22 series: The S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra also do not come with an SD card slot.
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Galaxy A series: The Galaxy A52, A52 5G, A72, and several other Galaxy A models are equipped with an SD card slot. The A series generally offers mid-range specs but with the flexibility of storage expansion.
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Galaxy Note Line:
- Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ (but only the Note 10+ has the slot).
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: This model has an SD card slot, while the Note 20 (standard) does not.
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Galaxy Z series:
- The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 do not come with SD card slots. Samsung’s foldable tech is quite futuristic but has constraints in storage expansion.
Why SD Card Slots Are Disappearing:
There’s a few reasons manufacturers are moving away from SD card slots:
- Design Aesthetics: Manufacturers aim for sleeker designs and removing the SD card slot helps in achieving a more seamless look.
- Performance: Built-in storage often performs faster than SD cards, which can vary in speed and reliability. This ensures a more consistent user experience.
- Market Trend: The trend now is towards cloud storage solutions and higher internal storage options.
Alternatives:
If you’re not finding the exact Samsung model with an SD slot, here are a couple of alternatives:
- Choosing Higher Internal Storage: With Samsung offering models with up to 512GB or even 1TB of internal storage, this option might work if you’re willing to invest a bit more.
- Cloud Storage: Services like Google Photos, Google Drive, and OneDrive can offer seamless backups for your photos, videos, and documents.
- USB OTG Storage: Using USB On-The-Go (OTG) drives offers another way to expand your storage externally.
In summary, for Samsung models with expandable storage:
- Look at the Galaxy S20 series
- Check out models from the Galaxy A series (A52, A72, etc.)
- Consider the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for high-end specs with SD card support
These options still give a solid way to keep your storage under control without relying heavily on internal capacities. Check the specific model you’re interested in to confirm it has the SD card slot you’re looking for. Happy hunting for your new device!
Byteguru covered a lot, but let’s dive deeper into some practical reasons to consider other options too.
Why Internal Storage Might Be Better:
Modern smartphones now come with hefty internal storage. A lot of the new Samsung models come with an option of 256GB or 512GB, which is quite a bit. Internal memory is generally faster and more reliable; I noticed apps opening instantly and fewer hiccups compared to using an SD card. For example, with my previous Galaxy, using a high-speed SD card was still slower than internal storage.
That said, security concerns and performance aren’t trivial. SD cards can be a weak spot in terms of data vulnerability, especially if you’re prone to losing small items (like me!). Also, remember SD cards can be corrupted—imagine losing an important vacation album!
Galaxy A Series for the Win:
I do want to emphasize the Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A52 and A72 offer expandable storage without sacrificing performance. They’re mid-range but pack quite a punch with features like decent cameras, robust battery life, and less bloatware. You might not get the exact flagship experience, but if storage is a big deal, these are strong contenders.
Z Series - Why the Hype Anyway?
Sure, the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models are trending, but do you actually need a foldable phone? They’re futuristic and cool, no doubt, but while fiddling with a friend’s Z Fold 3, I realized how hefty and delicate it feels. Lacking an SD card slot was another dealbreaker for me.
Cloud isn’t that bad:
Yes, cloud storage is becoming mainstream. While some are skeptical about privacy, I feel it’s a good backup. Google Photos offers free storage (though compressed), and with services like Samsung Cloud or OneDrive, you can access, sync, and recover your data without physical constraints.
Different Brands – Worth the Jump?
Given how Samsung’s cutting out SD slots in flagships, consider exploring other brands. Xiaomi, OnePlus, and even Sony often retain SD card support in their higher-end models. Sony Xperia 1 III comes to mind—premium hardware and expandable storage.
Final Thoughts:
It boils down to what you prioritize. If having an SD card slot is non-negotiable, models like the Galaxy S20 or A52/A72 should be your target. If storage speed and ease of use are essential, maybe it’s worth rethinking and enjoying larger internal storage or leveraging reliable cloud services. Or, hey, maybe it’s time to experiment with other brands offering better storage flexibility. Cheers and good luck!
You guys can praise the Galaxy A series all you want, but let’s be real. Samsung’s ditching the SD card slots in their flagships like the S21/S22 and Z series is just another trick to milk more cash from us, pushing us to buy pricier higher storage models. Whether the A52 or A72 are “decent” or not, they’re still not flagships.
Opting for cloud storage? Great, if you love the idea of your data controlled by corporations. Google Photos and OneDrive? Fine till they start charging or limit sizes. And USB OTG drives? Yeah right, like carrying extra peripherals around is “convenient.”
If SD cards are a must, how about looking at brands that actually value them? Xiaomi or Sony, we should consider exploring these without dealing with Samsung’s flip-flopping. Why stick around when they’re axing useful features?
And about modern internal storage being faster—sure, but good luck coughing up for a 512GB model when a good 256GB with SD card option could do just fine.
Take your pick but stop worshiping every brand choice blindly. Samsung’s given up on SD cards for profit, plain and simple.