Help What's the point of installing external SD card?

[ChrisAG]

New SGS owner here (just got it Nov. 10).

OK, I know an SD card gives you extra memory for media files, but since the phone comes with 16GB is it really necessary? The basic iPhone 4 comes with 16GB and I don't think most users are clamoring for more.

Does it help the SGS speed if you leave most of the internal memory free (only using it for apps) and use the external card for all your files?

Or does it just provide an opportunity to go crazy with storing files, like an entire season of a TV show for instance?

All that being said... yes I did spring for an 8GB SD card but is it money well spent... who knows.

 

[TechGrin]

Well as you've pointed out it allows more memory, and also more flexibility with storage. Dont forget you can choose to save pics/videos to the external card, so that in the event of having to do a factory reset these will be safe.

 

[seepage]

The main reason is that it lets you say mine is bigger than yours.

 

[andy-roid]

and default storage for the browser

 

[ChrisAG]

The main reason is that it lets you say mine is bigger than yours.

The package for my external junk said "8" - nobody needs more than "8"

and default storage for the browser

By default storage for the browser, do you mean cashe? How do you set it?

 

[NZtechfreak]

I have a 32GB card with my 8GB model, and nearly all the space in both is full (my music collection is 24GB). Just because iPhone users aren't clamouring for more than 16GB, doesn't mean there aren't those of us for whom its useful.

 

[seepage]

yes ive got a 16gb phone and 16gb card and both are almost full
It just depends on your personal usage

 

[henryshe]

Mine's filled with movies.

 

[cleanermonkey]

Mine's filled with movies.

same same and music and around 5 gigs of .CBR Batman and Zombie cartoons.

 

[tempest7]

Well as you've pointed out it allows more memory, and also more flexibility with storage. Dont forget you can choose to save pics/videos to the external card, so that in the event of having to do a factory reset these will be safe.

Actually I wanted to point out that a factory reset doesn't touch the internal SD card storage.

I *thought* it would, so I did some backing up, and I was surprised AFTER I upgraded to Froyo and factory reset twice, that none of my old files disappeared.



I've honestly been trying to decide if it is worth getting an external card as well.

 

[babs1921]

Do if I put in an external sd card I still won't be able to move apps to it....i am still on 2.1 so I can't move them to the internal and was going that adding an external would be a way around this without updating or rooting...

 

[|Matt|]

Has anyone else noticed their phone running RIDICULOUSLY slow after installing and filling up an external sd? I've got a 32gb class 4 Sandisk (genuine) in mine and it runs like absolute shit when its installed.

Its rooted and had a speedmod done to it and its still laggy as shit. Any ideas? Shitty card maybe? Or a known problem?

 

[|Matt|]

Update.

Ran Quadrant full benchmark with the card in and ran 1770, just ran it with the card out and ran a 1970. Is this a significant difference?

 

[PeteDee]

New SGS owner here (just got it Nov. 10).

OK, I know an SD card gives you extra memory for media files, but since the phone comes with 16GB is it really necessary? The basic iPhone 4 comes with 16GB and I don't think most users are clamoring for more.

Does it help the SGS speed if you leave most of the internal memory free (only using it for apps) and use the external card for all your files?

Or does it just provide an opportunity to go crazy with storing files, like an entire season of a TV show for instance?

All that being said... yes I did spring for an 8GB SD card but is it money well spent... who knows.

The basic or any iPhone is stuck with whatever memory it came with from the factory. No good them clamoring or anything really, it would do them no good. As far as the question goes about do you actually need more it really depends what you plan on doing, when I travel I find it handy to load up movies and some people really like to have all or a large selection their music loaded. I have an iPod with 80Gb and I load it up with lots of music, movies and podcasts for when I travel.

I usually have a season or two of some shows, works for me.

As ever everyone's mileage varies and you really have to work it out for yourself.

I forgot, I also load up topo maps when I go into the wilder areas in the 4WD.

See lots of reasons for some folk, maybe not for you.

Cheers.

Pete