SanDisk Extreme 160MB/s UHS-I V30 A2 400GB microSDXC Memory Card Review

Introduction

In late 2018 SanDisk started shipping new Extreme microSDXC cards with 160MB/s read speed rating. The new cards are also rated A2 for application performance. The 160MB/s read speed when used in select SanDisk card readers. The read speed tops out around 99MB/s in other card readers. The Application Performance A2 rating is given to cards that are capable of a minimum 4,000 random read and 2,000 random write operations per second. This indicates the card is a good choice for mobile storage in smartphones, tablets and portable devices. In addition, this card meets the Video Speed Class V30 requirement by providing at least 30MB/s continuous write speed, an indicator that this card can handle the rigors of HD and 4K video recording.

Extreme 160MB/s V30 A2 microSD cards are offered in 32, 64, 128, 256 and 400GB capacities. This review covers the 400GB capacity microSDXC card with model number SDSQXA1-400G-AN6MA and UPC 619659165673. The card is backed by a lifetime limited warranty. Both the card and included adapter are made in China.

Performance

The Extreme 160MB/s V30 A2 400GB microSDXC card was tested in several memory card readers. Benchmark tests using SanDisk's MobileMate USB 3.0 Reader (SDDR-B531) reader show the cards meets its 160MB/s read speed claim. The highest sequential read benchmark was 163.2 MB/s. In other card readers, including other models by SanDisk, this card reached 99.2 MB/s read speed. Sequential write speed measured up to 110.4 MB/s in the fastest reader, also a SanDisk reader. Other readers performed up to 88.9MB/s write speed.

Card: SanDisk Extreme V30 A2 microSDXC 400GB
Benchmark: CrystalDiskMark 3.0.3 x64
Program settings: 1000 MB, 5 passes, random test data
Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H
Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K @ 4.40GHz
RAM: 32GB DDR3 1600

This Extreme 160MB/s V30 A2 400GB microSDXC card is going to be included in upcoming digital cameras tests. Write speed in cameras will be added to the table below.

Cameras tested with this card:

The following table contains information encoded in the SD card.

The internal card register contains a production date of November 2018. As expected, the Manufacturer ID 0x000003 and OEM ID "SD" indicate the card was produced by SanDisk.