Memory Cards for Mobile Phones and PDAs
This page is intended to provide information and online resources for memory cards used to expand onboard memory for handheld computers, palmtops, laptops and smartphones. cards can also be used for digital cameras and MP3 players.
Available Memory Card Formats
Below is a list of common memory card formats:
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CompactFlash CardAs used in a host of products, such as the Psion Series 5mx, IPAQ and Pocket Loox Pocket PCs, and a wide range of digital cameras. For more on how CF cards work, see Pscience 5's CF page Below, you'll find a summary of CF card prices from online suppliers:
For advice on CF cards for the Psion range, see our Psion FAQ page |
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MMC Card
Weighing less than two grams and taking up the area of a postage
stamp, MultiMediaCards are ideal for use in portable devices like
digital audio players, digital cameras, and PDAs. In addition to
its distinct size advantage over other removable memory, the MultiMediaCard's
low power draw makes it highly suitable for battery-powered mobile
applications. MMC cards will fit into devices that have an SD slot
- MMC cards are the same size, and are often much cheaper than SD
cards, because they're an 'open' standard (SD card manufacturers
have to pay royalties, and MMC card manufacturers don't!). Note that there's also a variant of this card, the RSMMC (Reduced Size MultiMedia Card). Below, you'll find a list of some online MMC card suppliers:
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SD cardThe SD form factor represents the one of the smallest, secure flash memory card in the consumer market today and is flexible for use in today's hi-tech devices including MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras, the Sony Reader, and even games consoles like the Nintendo Wii. SD cards are the same size as MMC cards (although slightly thicker). The 'Secure' part of a Secure Digital card refers to the fact that it's possible to use these cards to write data in an encrypted way, for protection of copyright (e.g. for e-books, music and video). You can find out more about the format from sdcard.org. Below, you'll find a summary of suppliers:
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Micro SD cardEven smaller than a Mini-SD, these tiny cards are being used more and more in smartphones. Below are few suppliers:
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Mini-SD cardWith smaller and smaller mobile phones being released, the SD card has shrunk. It behaves the same as a standard SD card, but just 38% of the size. Below, you'll find a summary of suppliers:
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Memory StickThe ultra-small, thin design is ideal for use in Sony digital cameras, some camcorders, and PDAs. The format also includes the Memory Stick Duo, as used in the Sony Ericsson P800 - these are about a third of the size of a Sony Memory Stick. Below, you'll find a summary of suppliers:
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SmartMediaSmartMedia (SSFDC) memory cards provide mobile data storage in a very small inter-changeable format. SSFDC consists of a single NAND flash EEPROM chip embedded in a thin plastic card. It can be transported between digital systems including consumer and portable electronic devices, PDAs, digital cameras, pagers, MP3 digital music players and more. Below, you'll find a summary of SmartMedia card prices from large suppliers:
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Memory Card Readers
If you have a PDA, phone or digital camera with a memory card, you'll probably want to get hold of a memory card reader.
These plug into the USB port of your computer and when you plug in a supported memory card, a new icon appears in "My Computer" to represent the card drive. You can copy, delete and move files via this virtual drive as normal. As well as being more convenient, using a card reader is quite a bit faster than copying files to/from a PDA or camera using infrared or Bluetooth. Some card readers may require you to install a supplied driver.
Card readers are available for all types of memory cards, and the prices
for readers are typically around £8 to £12. We recommend looking at Dabs.com
for card readers - they stock a wide range (including Belkin, Dazzle and
PNY) at excellent prices - failing that, see what Amazon
have on offer. PC
World also carry a range of readers.
If you make a lot of use of memory cards and have more than one type of card, consider getting a multi-format reader. We use the Belkin 15 in 1 Multi Flash Memory Card Reader (£19 from Amazon), which supports Compact Flash, Smart Media, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital Card and Memory Stick flash formats.
Other pages:
- For more on Nokia smartphones, see our Smartphone page
- More on Smartphones
- More on Pocket PC
- More on Palm
- For information on CF cards and the Psion range, see our Psion FAQ page.
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