6 Best Micro SD Card for Galaxy S5 2023 – Plus Buying Tips

It’s a well-known fact that most phones are picky when it comes to SD cards. Samsung Galaxy S5s are in particular quite choosy and because they’re quite expensive, you really don’t want to gamble with the kind of Micro SD you use on them. 

So, the recommended course of action is to take a closer look at the different options available so you can make an informed choice. You may also need to pay close attention to:

• The brand
• Storage capacity and
• Transfer speed

Sounds like too much to do in one sitting? Well, the good news is that we’ve already done the spade-work for you by reviewing some of the best micro SD card for Galaxy S5 options.

Micro SD Card for Galaxy S5 – Comparison

Performance, capacity, and reliability are the three most important factors to ponder on when looking for a good SD card. But in a world full of options, here’s a simplified chart to help you make a quick but accurate buying decision.

1. Samsung Evo 128GB Micro SDXC Card 

Launched in 2016, the Samsung EVO MicroSD card is a sweet spot for anyone planning to get into high-resolution photography or 4K video recording. Indeed, the card has a generous memory of 128 gigabytes which are enough to store up to 6 hours of 4K video content. This is way above-average.

But how much does it cost? You might want to ask. Well, it only requires to fork out under $70. That means it’s just as cheap as cheap can get.

The only major issue that makes it less suitable is that it has quite a slow memory transfer rate. At 48MB/s it clearly falls below par especially for people looking to make the most out of every second of their lives.

That said, if you’re patient and looking to take your time to a few more seconds while transferring your files and in exchange get additional storage space, Samsung EVO would be a good deal.

Pros

• Ideal for heavy footage storage
• Reliable performance
• Long-lasting
• Good value for money

Cons

• Slow transfer rates
• No bells and whistles

2. Samsung EVO Select Micro SD 64GB

Sometimes you may realize that you don’t really need a huge storage volume and that a 64GB MicroSD would fit the bill. Well, that’s where the Samsung EVO comes in.

Often ranked tops among the best budget microSD cards for Samsung Galaxy S5, the EVO is designed for tablets, smartphones, DSLRs, action cameras and drones. And don’t let its limited memory capacity fool you, this cute looking card can accommodate a whopping 8.5 hours of full-HD video content.

To give you an even better perspective, 64GB is capable of handling over 14,000 photos or 5,500 songs. For those of us who like storing 4K UHD content, this memory card can hold up to 3 hours’ worth of such content.

The true measure of a MicroSD’s power is in its ability to transfer files. Well, as far as this is concerned, we’re looking at speeds of 3GB video content being transferred in less than 38 seconds.

Pros

• Quite affordable
• Generous storage capacity
• 100MB/s which is quite a fast transfer rate
• Accompanied by an adapter

Cons

• May get warm under extremely heavy use
• Not ideal for storage of heavy 4K footage

Also read: Replacement Battery for Galaxy S5 – Top Options Reviewed

3. SanDisk Ultra 64GB SDSQUAR Micro SDXC

Designed to give the Samsung EVO a run for its money is this 64GB card from SanDisk. As you know, SanDisk is the real kings when it comes to the production of Micro SD card. We’re glad to note that it offers an incredible transfer speed of 100MB/s.

That means you can transfer as many as 1200 photos in under 7 minutes. Also, all thanks to its generous and hassle-free storage capacity, this card can store over 24 hours of full HD video footage. So you can record events, download videos – and so, forth without really worrying about the need to free up space.

And to top it all up, this card is compatible with Android devices, DSLR cameras, tablets as well as smartphones. So, forget about the need to delete some files in order to free up some space because this one has got all your needs covered.

Pros

• Super-fast transfer speed
• Widespread compatibility with other devices
• Reliable
• Affordably priced
• Comes with an adapter

Cons

• May not keep enough 4K footage
• Lacks a storage for the SD adapter

4. Transcend 300S Galaxy 32GB Memory Card w/ SD Adapter

Who said that you have to break the bank to afford a cheap yet effective MicroSD card? Well, here’s the deal – Transcend 300S offers a humble 32GB worth of storage which may not sound like much. But to give you a perspective of it, 32GB is capable of storing 4 hours of full HD footage.

In other words, you can fully rely on this card for recording content for short sessions. Of course, this card may not be the best for recording movies or undertaking other demanding tasks. But it can serve any photographer, videographer, smartphone user or any other category of individuals looking for extra storage space.To top it all up, this 32GB Samsung Galaxy S5 SD card is capable of transferring approximately 1,000 photos for every 60-seconds. In other words, its 90MB/s transfer speed rivals the likes of SanDisk Ultra SDSDQUAN-200G-G4A which costs almost 5 times as much.

Pros

• Can work with high capacity devices
• Rigorously tested for vibration-, water and x-ray-proof
• Backed by a 5-year warranty
• Reliable performance

Cons

• Limited storage capacity
• May not support apps on Samsung Galaxy S5

You may love to read: Best Samsung Galaxy S5 Charger Which Offer Good Value For Money

5. SanDisk MicroSDHCUHS-I 16GB Card

Versatility is the best-suited adjective for describing the true measure of this MicroSD card. First off, it is available in both 16GB and 32GB. This flexibility gives you a unique opportunity to start small and scale up as your needs increase.

With an 80MB/s transfer rate, this card enjoys moderate transfer speeds. Indeed, you can shuttle a decent number of files from your computer to the card, fast. You can transfer about 600 photos into this card or 100 high-quality MP3 songs in under a minute.

Just like other SanDisk devices, this one is shockproof, temperature-proof, X-ray-proof and waterproof. All those factors make it reliable for any value-conscious user.

Pros

• Reliable performance
• Moderate transfer speed
• Versatile options
• Affordably priced
• User-friend RescuePRO data for data recovery

Cons

• Limited memory capacity
• Slow transfer speed

6. SanDisk Ultra SDSDQUAN-200G-G4A 200GB Micro SD (Best Overall)

Standing tall in our competitive list of the bet MicroSD Card for Galaxy S5, the SanDisk Ultra SDSDQUAN-200G-G4A is reputed for its huge memory. Can you imagine that it has 200GB worth of space?

If you don’t know what 200GB is like, well you need to know that it’s worth more than 20 hours of full HD video content.

Storage capacity aside, this Micro SD from Samsung does an incredible job of transferring files. This is all thanks to its 90MB/s transfer speed which is capable of transferring 1,200 pictures per minute.

Pros

• Comes with an SD adapter
• Great performance and reliable
• Fast read and write speeds
• Easy to use
• Compatible with multiple devices and cameras

Cons

• Pricey
• Transfer speed is slower than that of cheaper cards

Related post: Best Tempered Glass Screen Protector Galaxy S5: Expert Reviews

Micro SD Card for Galaxy S5 – Buying Guide

The next time you’re faced with a decision on the best MicroSD card to invest in, these are the 4 quick factors to consider.

Quality of the card

Always go for a renowned brand, one that’s known to conduct independent tests on their cards for performance and durability.

Storage Capacity

If you’re planning to record high-resolution content or abnormally long sessions, you’re better off with a 100+ GB worth of storage. However, if you’re planning to store a few songs and pictures, you can always get good value by settling for a below 100 GB card.

Transfer Rate

Good storage capacity is one thing but the transfer rate is another ball-game altogether. So, if every second matters a lot to you, you’re better off going for a high transfer rate. Here we’re talking about 80MB/s and above. Anything below that may be only suited for light use.

Adapter

An adapter is a good plus especially if you’d like to transfer files to your laptop or any other slot that requires an adapter. Fortunately, all the MicroSD cards reviewed above come with adapters and so you need not worry.

How Do You Install a Micro SD Card in the Galaxy S5?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 does not come with an SD card preinstalled. Therefore, you will need to first purchase yours according to the storage capacity of your choice and install it yourself. So, to install the MicroSD card, you will need to:

• First, remove the backplate of the Galaxy S5 to get access to the battery compartment.
• Insert the MicroSD card into the SD card slot that is located just above the battery to the right of Galaxy S5’s camera. Make sure not to insert the SD card into the SIM slot that is positioned below the MicroSD slot. This is in case the SIM card has not already been installed.
• Lastly, replace the battery cover and seal it tightly. This is because failure to do so could make your Galaxy S5 very susceptible to water damage.

How do you move apps from the Galaxy S5’s Built-in Storage to the MicroSD card?

Once you have installed the MicroSD card, you can then start using it to manage data and files on your device. Since apps and games take up so much storage space on your phone, you can move them to the SD card. Doing so will help free up extra space on your Galaxy S5’s internal storage. So, here is how to do it.

• Open the Settings menu and then navigate to Application manager
• From the Application manager, you can choose the application or game you want to move to the MicroSD card
• Lastly, under the Storage heading, tap Move to SD card.

If you would like to move any app or game back to your phone’s storage, simply repeat the above process. However, the last step should be “Move to device storage”.

Setting the MicroSD card as the Default Storage for your Galaxy S5

With Galaxy S5, you can set up some of the apps to automatically store any data they generate in the SD card. However, for some apps like the camera, you need to manually set the MicroSD card as the default storage. Just follow the following steps to complete the action.

• Open the Camera application
• Open the Camera’s Settings menu by simply tapping the icon in the top left
• Then navigate to the Storage menu and choose Memory card.

The above process can be completed for other apps such as the web browser and even the voice recorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will answer some of the common questions you might have about the best MicroSD card for Galaxy S5.

What’s the largest SD card available for the Galaxy S5?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 can accept any MicroSD card with a maximum storage capacity of 128GB.

Is it really a good idea to use an SD card as the default storage?

Yes, it is. However, you will need to first ensure you are using the fastest SD card. Not all MicroSD cards are equal. Some are slower and will slow down your Galaxy S5 and its apps while others are speedy.

Can I move all apps to the SD card?

Unfortunately, some applications cannot be moved to the SD card. The good news is that most of them can easily be moved.

Which One Is The Best?

SanDisk Ultra SDSDQUAN-200G-G4A is, by far, the best MicroSD card meant for the Galaxy S5. It has a super-huge storage capacity, incredible transfer speed and above all has a good track-record as a reliable card. 

However, the card is quite expensive and the extra storage space may not always be needed by ordinary users. So, if you’re on a tight budget and not after any fancy features, then you can go for a cheap MicroSD Card such as the Transcend 300S. 

If you’re looking for something that’s cheap but with a great memory capacity and incredible transfer speeds, we’d recommend going for the Samsung EVO.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to finding the best Micro SD Cards especially when Samsung Galaxy S5 devices are concerned. So, it’s important to consider your personal needs first ten weigh those against your budget prior to examining which card offers the best deal for you. Happy choosing!