Why are phones eliminating SD card slots?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 22, 2026
The reason that smartphone manufacturers are ditching micro SD card slots in their devices, especially at the high end, is money. Manufacturers can't charge a premium for an SD card slot, but they can charge a $100 for a few extra gigabytes of flash storage.
Why is Samsung getting rid of the SD card slot?
"Over time, SD card usage has markedly decreased on smartphones because we've expanded the options of storage available to consumers," the South Korean electronics giant said in a statement. Samsung starts the base storage for its entire S21 line at 128GB, with a 256GB option available for just $50 more.
Are SD cards being phased out?
Today, the original SD cards have been fully discontinued and they have been replaced by the newer-generation SDHC and SDXC cards. Quick Summary: Obsolete format, move on to SDHC or SDXC cards.
Why did they remove the SD card from S21?
We asked Samsung about this, and the company's rationale seemed to be that it doesn't think it's necessary. A spokesperson told us that it only costs $50 to upgrade from 128GB to 256GB and that this is cheaper than what competitors are charging to step up storage. They also noted that cloud storage is an option.
Is Samsung getting rid of expandable memory?
Samsung and Apple on eliminating microSD
Analysts even predicted that phones in the future will be portless, and Samsung's decision to eliminate microSD card port early on can be another sign of a trend towards internal storage on phones.
25 related questions foundDoes the S21 have a SD card slot?
Unfortunately, it's just like most other flagship devices. No matter where someone buys the Galaxy S21 FE, the phone does not have an SD card slot. Samsung used to be one of the biggest proponents of microSD cards on smartphones. However, that changed with the Galaxy S21 series.
Does the S21 have expandable memory?
The removal of expandable storage is perhaps one of the most significant changes. Samsung's S21 has no microSD card slot, unlike the prior years of the Galaxy S line.
Is Samsung getting rid of SD card?
Samsung has removed the microSD slot on every single Galaxy S21. In the past few years, Samsung removing the microSD slot on its phones hasn't been uncommon, but this is the biggest move towards eliminating the slot entirely.
Does the S21 Ultra have an SD card slot?
However, to answer the question of if the Galaxy S21 ultra comes with an external SD card slot; in comparison to the Galaxy S series of the past year, the galaxy S21 ultra does not come with any SD card slot.
Does the Samsung S20 have a SD card slot?
A microSD slot on your phone means you are able to increase your phone's storage with ease. Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Note10+, S10e, S10, S10+, and Note9 support microSD cards up to 1TB, giving these Galaxy smartphones a combined storage capacity over 1TB.
Will SD card slow down phone?
In a phone, if you use a microSD card and move photos, or app data to the card, it slows down the whole phone. Then there is the reliability factor. Because microSD cards use this outdated pin-based interface, there is risk of card failure (worst case scenario) or data corruption, which is quite frequent.
Why are microSD cards so unreliable?
Why are microSD cards so unreliable? A: No, SD cards are not good for long term data storage because they have a very high failure rate. They were intended for moving pictures from a camera to your computer each night when you got home, so they only had to store their files for several hours to a few weeks.
Does S20 Fe have SD card slot?
The Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW supports microSD memory cards which can be purchased from any Verizon store or online .
Does S21 have dual sim?
Yes! The S21 family supports the use of up to 2 nano-SIM cards and also offers eSIM support. Dual SIM can be a combination of 2 physical SIM cards or 1 physical SIM card and an eSIM.
Does S21 Ultra have dual sim?
All the new Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 Ultra 5G are equipped with an eSIM. Thanks to the eSIM, users will be able to use dual SIM cards. It means that the eSIM on Galaxy S21 models allows you to immediately connect to another mobile operator without using a physical SIM cards.
Is S21 Ultra 128GB enough?
Yes, the base Galaxy S21 comes with 128GB of storage. For most of us who aren't data-hoarders or 4K fiends, 128GB will be more than enough room for your offline music and all of your apps and files. That means you'll get a great experience and a more manageable size while saving money.
Does the A52 have a SD card slot?
The Samsung Galaxy A52 sports a microSD card slot and can take microSD cards with a capacity of up to 1TB! Now that's a feature that most modern flagship phones are lacking. Of course, you're not obligated to buy a microSD card but it's a really nice option to have.
Does S22 Ultra have SD card slot?
Sadly, the answer is no. The Galaxy S22 series does not include expandable storage in the form of a microSD card slot, or any other form for that matter. And yes, that includes the high-end S22 Ultra as well. It seems Samsung decided that it is best to exclude this feature from the S22 lineup.
Will Galaxy S22 have SD card slot?
Unfortunately, the answer is 'no'. The Samsung Galaxy S22 series have an expandable memory as none of the Galaxy S22 models, mixed or otherwise, have a microSD card slot. There will be no way to expand the storage capacity of your Galaxy S22 series phone after you acquire it.
What is the lifespan of an SD card?
SD standards-based memory cards, like most semiconductor cards, store information in flash memory. The current technology along with normal usage typically gives the card a lifespan of 10 years or more, allowing consumers to upgrade their devices for many years and reduce consumer electronic waste.
Do SD cards last forever?
There is no definite lifespan of an SD card, despite their theoretical 30-year timeline. Based on the current flash memory technology, most SD cards are projected to last ten or more years. However, cards that get heavy use are prone to wear out quicker.
Are microSD cards good for long term storage?
Memory cards and USB drives are NOT designed for long term storage. You should always backup your data on to another device. The data will normally stay valid for a period of up to 10 years if stored under normal conditions. The data cells inside carry a charge which can dissipate over time.
What are the disadvantages of an SD card?
Disadvantages:
- Break Easily. First off, like other storage media, SD card can break as well, also easily. ...
- Finite Read/Write Cycles. SD card uses the flash memory like USB flash drive, solid state drive, etc. ...
- Low-class Card Can Harm Phone Performance. ...
- Slower than Primary Memory. ...
- Apps Disappear after Removing It.