What is a TF card? How is it different from a microSD card?

When it comes to memory cards, there are a lot of different options on the market for different devices. 

But what exactly is a TF card and is it different from a microSD card?

What is TF card?

TF card stands for TransFlash card. Motorola and SanDisk introduced this type of external storage card in 2004 as a competitor to SD cards. As you may know, SD cards are memory cards used in early digital cameras and other devices that require removable storage. While SD cards were the standard back then, they were bulky and had slower write speeds than newer generations.

TF cards were developed to be smaller, more compact, and faster than SD cards while retaining the same functionality. That means you can use a TF card in a digital camera, Steam Deck, or any gadget that uses an SD card by using an SD card adapter. So, to expand your storage, try any of the fastest microSD cards.

What is a MicroSD card?

microSD cards are TF cards by another name. In 2004, when Motorola and SanDisk released TF cards, it was launched as a separate standalone product. Aside from the fact that TF cards support the same standard specifications as SD cards (except for size), TF cards are a separate, non-standardized product category.

So, to standardize these flash memory cards, the SD Association adopted TF card as microSD card in late 2004. Therefore, microSD card is TF card with another name.

What is the difference between TF card and microSD card?

There is no difference between a TF card and a microSD card. You can use both interchangeably. For example, if you happen to have a TF card but your smartphone only supports microSD cards, you can use your TF card. It will work seamlessly because it supports the same standard – there is no specific TF card slot.

Additionally, searching for TF cards on consumer sites like Amazon will return results for microSD cards. However, there are still common mistakes to avoid when buying microSD cards online.

What about UFS cards?

UFS cards are a much newer development in memory card technology. First introduced in 2011, Universal Flash Storage (UFS) cards offer higher performance and faster data transfers than SD/microSD cards, and are a great option for those with higher demands. They are especially useful for mobile devices and cameras, offering higher read and write speeds.

The only real downside to UFS is that it requires a different interface. You can't just buy a UFS card for your microSD device; it just won't work. Thankfully, some high-end tech supports UFS. Most Samsung devices released since 2020, for example, have UFS slots, while some OnePlus smartphones can use UFS cards.

You'll need to check whether a given device supports the faster UFS card standard before purchasing.

Marvin Fry

Update 13 September 2024