Western Digital Unveils 400GB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I MicroSDXC Card, Showcases PCIe SD Card

Western Digital at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in Barcelona unveiled the new 400GB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSDXC card that is touted to be the world's fastest UHS-I flash memory card. The company also showcased an experimental PCIe SD card with whopping 880MBps speeds. Price and availability of the new UHS-I microSD card are yet to reveal, while the futuristic PCIe SD card is currently at a development stage and is not likely to be commercially available in the coming months.

The new 400GB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD card is claimed to offer up to 160MBps read and 90MBps write speeds, making it more than 50 percent faster than the previous SanDisk Extreme UHS-1 microSD cards. Western Digital has used its proprietary 3D NAND technology to deliver faster speeds. Also, the microSD card is based on the Application Performance Class 2 (A2) specification that is acclaimed to help launch and load apps quickly - targeting smartphone users. The new microSD card additionally features a solid build that is shock-proof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and X-ray proof, as per the company's internal tests.

It is worth pointing out here that the new 400GB Extreme UHS-I microSDXC card isn't the fastest option in the market of microSD cards, but it is something that Western Digital is designing specifically to enhance the user experience on mobile devices. The card is also a noted option for shooting 4K HDR videos that are supported by some of the latest Android flagships.

"Consumers expect an increasingly better mobile experience, and with our 3D NAND technology, we are pushing the boundaries of innovation to enable them to create and enjoy more rich content on their devices. Our expertise in flash memory and microSD card electronics enables us to achieve unmatched performance. The breakthrough SanDisk microSD card is evidence of Western Digital's commitment to delivering more advanced solutions that enable data to thrive," said Jim Welsh, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Client Solutions, Western Digital, in a statement.

In addition to the new microSDXC card, Western Digital demonstrated its PCIe SD card that is claimed to deliver the ability to read data files faster than today's platform. It delivers read and write speeds of up to 880MBps and 430MBps, respectively - more than what a traditional SATA-based SSD offers. These speeds are vital to utilise features such as super-slow-motion video, RAW continuous burst mode, and 8K video recording and playback.

Notably, the SD Card Association has already adopted PCIe as a standard. This means a range of PCIe SD cards could arrive as the next-generation of storage solutions. However, in the meantime, the new 400GB microSDXC card is one of the great options to get a faster experience on portable devices, including smartphones and other mobile devices.