Difference between SanDisk Extreme and Ultra

The SanDisk Ultra & SanDisk Extreme are both Micro SD cards used for the shoot, save recording outdoor or indoor events, trips, etc. Both cards are good in their own way, but they also have some differences. In this article, we will focus on the Difference between SanDisk Extreme and Ultra.

Some people prefer SanDisk Extreme and some like SanDisk Ultra according to their preferences. The Ultra Micro SD UHS-I cards are available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 512GB on the other hand, SanDisk Extreme SD UHS-I cards are available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.

Difference Between SanDisk Extreme and Ultra

First, let’s discuss the difference between SD Cards. The first factor to consider is storage capacity. This can be measured in gigabytes (Gigs) or megabytes (MB). Most modern devices only support 16 Gigabyte SD Cards.

The differences between these cards are mentioned below:

Space and Price:

The SanDisk Extreme comes in micro SD and SD and CompactFlash format, but the SanDisk Ultra only comes in Micro SD format. The Extreme is only available up to 256GB, whereas The Ultra is available up to 512GB.

In comparison between SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme, the Ultra is more affordable. In fact, The Ultra is popular for its affordability and durability.

The SanDisk Extreme 64GB costs around 25 dollars, whereas the SanDisk Ultra 64GB costs approximately 18 dollars.

The SanDisk Extreme 32GB costs 15 dollars, whereas the SanDisk Ultra 32GB costs around 10 dollars.

The SanDisk Extreme 32GB costs 38 dollars, whereas the SanDisk Ultra 32GB costs around 30 dollars.

Transfer Speed: (SanDisk Extreme vs. Ultra)

SanDisk Ultra 32GB transfer speed is up to 100MB/s, through which you can transfer up to 1000 photos in a minute. SanDisk’s Extreme transfer rate is almost the same as The Ultra.

The SanDisk Ultra 64GB comes with 80MB/s reading speed and 10MB/s writing speed. On the other hand, SanDisk Extreme 64GB micro SD comes with 90MB/s reading speed and 60MB/s writing speed.

The SanDisk Ultra 128GB comes with 80MB/s reading speed and 10MB/s writing speed. On the other hand, SanDisk Extreme 128GB micro SD comes with 160MB/s reading speed and 60MB/s writing speed with A2 performance. With the help of A2 performance, it will deliver at least 4000 random reads and 2000 random writes per second.

The SanDisk ultra comes with a speed class rating of U1, and the SanDisk Extreme comes with a speed class rating of U3. SanDisk Extreme is 3x times faster at transferring data than the SanDisk Ultra. The SanDisk Extreme uses Ultra DMA technology which helps it reach more reading and writing speed compared to the Ultra.

Card Type:

The SanDisk Ultra and the SanDisk Extreme both are Secure Digital Extreme Capacity (SDXC) cards, meaning that they use “ex FAT” storage formats. “Ex FAT” is designated for cards that have a capacity greater than 32GB and is able to store any sized files.

Notable, the SanDisk Ultra 32GB and the SanDisk Extreme 16GB and 32GB are Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), which means they use the “FAT 32” format.

Bus Speed:

The SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme, both cards are UHS-1. This rating means to control data inflow and outflow, both the cards only use a single row of pins.

Single-row pining means you cannot open any other stored photo/video while downloading any media.

Photo Speed:

You cannot always choose a Micro SD card depending on its speed only. The need for a micro SD card depends on your camera as well. If you use the higher megapixel camera, you will need a micro SD card with higher photo speed.

If you take fewer low-resolution pictures or are a newbie, then you can go for SanDisk Ultra. If you have a professional camera, then do not go for the Ultra; rather, go for SanDisk Extreme.

The SanDisk Extreme will have less buffering time when you will choose burst mode for photos. 10MBs-20MBs speed difference may not look like a lot at a glance, but it makes a lot of difference while shooting.

Video Speed:

If we compare video speed between SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme, we will see SanDisk Ultra has no “V” rating, whereas SanDisk Extreme has “V30”. The V represents the video speed class. The V30 means it can successively write at 30MB/S. Therefore SanDisk Extreme can record 4k/UHD videos easily at a constant speed. SanDisk Ultra is preferable for 1080p HD video recording.

If you are a person who does not need 4K videos, then you can easily go for SanDisk Ultra, as SanDisk Extreme will cost more. Also, you will find SanDisk Extreme from 16-256GB; choose the one you need.

Compatibility and warranty:

Both the Ultra and Extreme are compatible with microSDHC and microSDXC-supporting host devices. It can be used in most Android phones, Nintendo Switch, GoPro Cameras, etc.

The SanDisk Ultra micro-SD card comes with a 10-year limited warranty, whereas the SanDisk Extreme micro-SD comes with a lifetime limited warranty.

In terms of compatibility, both the SanDisk ultra and SanDisk extreme work with most modern android phones. Some camera models, along with go pro, work perfectly.

FAQ on Sandisk Extreme vs Sandisk Ultra

Is Sandisk Ultra Good for 4k?

When you’re looking to buy a new SD card, you need to know that there is more than one type of storage device. If you want the best quality, then you should look into buying an SDXC UHS-1 Class 10 Memory Card. This means that you’ll be able to store up to 1TB of data on your camera, phone, tablet, or computer.

If you don’t care so much about the size of the memory, then you can choose from different options. Some people prefer to use a standard SD card, while others like to use a microSD. The difference between these two is that a standard SD card is smaller and has a slower transfer speed.

Which Is Better, Sandisk Extreme or Extreme Pro?

When it comes to storage, there is no clear-cut answer. Some people prefer Sandisk Extreme because of its strong security features and high capacity.

Others find the performance of SanDisk extreme to be better. Ultimately, which storage card is better for you depends on your needs and preferences.

Is SanDisk A Good Brand?

SanDisk is a big player in the storage technology industry. Its different products are used by many users around the world, including Apple and Android devices.

Some people have criticized SanDisk for its high prices and lack of innovation. But the reliability of these brands makes them so popular and probably one of the best brands for storage.

So, What to Choose?

Sandisk extreme and ultra both are widely used camera accessories. From the mentioned points and descriptions, you can see the SanDisk Extreme is faster than the SanDisk Ultra. For example, the writing speed of the Extreme is faster, but it does not mean this is the one you need or the Ultra is not good. The necessity depends on the type of device you use and the kind of use you have for the micro SD card.

For instance, if you shoot 4K videos with the fastest frame rates for burst mode, you need the Extreme, but if you use an entry-level camera, then you can easily go for the Ultra and save some pennies.

While deciding between the SanDisk Ultra and the SanDisk Extreme, make sure to focus on your needs and priorities more than the data and specifications.

Hope this article helps you understand the difference between the SanDisk Ultra and the SanDisk Extreme and can assist you in buying the required one.