Differences between MicroSD and MiniSD
Contents
MicroSD vs. MiniSD[edit]
MicroSD and MiniSD cards are two early, small-form-factor memory cards belonging to the Secure Digital (SD) family. The MiniSD was introduced by SanDisk in March 2003, and the MicroSD card followed in 2005.[1][2] While both were created for use in mobile devices, the MicroSD format ultimately became the industry standard for smartphones and other compact electronics.[3][4] The primary distinctions between them relate to their physical dimensions and their period of relevance in the consumer electronics market.
The most significant difference is their size. MiniSD cards have dimensions of 21.5 x 20 x 1.4 mm.[5] In contrast, MicroSD cards are considerably smaller, measuring 15 x 11 x 1 mm. This smaller footprint allowed for greater design flexibility in increasingly compact mobile phones and other portable devices, which contributed to the MicroSD card's widespread adoption.[3]
Both card types were designed to be electrically compatible with the standard SD card slots of the time, using passive adapters. However, the pin configuration differs slightly due to the size constraints; MicroSD cards have 8 pins, whereas MiniSD cards have 11.
The emergence of the even smaller MicroSD card quickly led to the decline of the MiniSD format.[3] By the late 2000s, most device manufacturers had transitioned to the MicroSD standard for their memory expansion needs.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | MicroSD | MiniSD |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2005[2] | 2003[3] |
| Dimensions | 15 x 11 x 1 mm | 21.5 x 20 x 1.4 mm |
| Volume | 165 mm³ | 602 mm³ |
| Contact Pins | 8 | 11 |
| Initial Capacities | 32, 64, 128 MB | Up to 256 MB |
| Primary Use | [2]| Early mobile phones, digital cameras | |
| Market Status | [3][4]| Largely obsolete |
History and Adoption[edit]
The MiniSD card was developed to meet the needs of the growing mobile phone market in the early 2000s, which required smaller storage solutions than the standard SD card. For[3] a few years, it was a popular choice for mobile devices.
However, the rapid pace of miniaturization in electronics soon called for an even smaller format. SanDisk[2] originally developed the MicroSD card under the name TransFlash in 2004. It was officially adopted by the SD Association in 2005 and renamed MicroSD. Its tiny size made it ideal for the increasingly slim designs of mobile phones. The market quickly embraced the MicroSD format, and its widespread adoption led to the MiniSD card becoming largely obsolete. While[3] adapters allow both MicroSD and MiniSD cards to be used in standard SD card slots, the direct integration of MicroSD slots in a vast array of devices cemented its dominance.
Capacity and Technology[edit]
Initial MiniSD cards had capacities up to 256 MB. Over time, both formats saw increases in storage capacity based on evolving SD standards. The SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) standard allowed for capacities up to 32GB, and the SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) standard further increased this to 2TB. While these standards applied to all SD form factors, the development and market focus quickly shifted to MicroSD, which now boasts capacities of 1TB and beyond. Technologically,[2] both cards are based on NAND flash memory. However, the ongoing development and manufacturing advancements have been concentrated on the MicroSD format.[5]
