The Real Reason Why Micro SD Card Slots Are Disappearing from Smartphones

[Angry_Mushroom]

Just wanna point out. You cannot access the cloud literally anywhere in the US. Coverage remains inconsistent at best outside the cities. I enjoy listening to music on large car trips that doesn't involve local radio with the same 3 Genesis songs. Enter the SD card. Lots of music, with no reliance on something I may or may not connect to. SD cards are not perfect, but I've had it work more consistently than my high speed data connection.

I'll accept skynet...errr... cloud storage when it can provide e with 100% service 100% of the time. Until then, I'll look for devices that include the option. It's a peace of mind I like.

 

[syspry]

I really don't care what the reason is, I'm just happy that this overly (and often obnoxiously) vocal minority has been mostly silenced. All of the "NO SD KARDZ NO REMUVIBLE BATTEREE" comments I kept seeing in device review reader comment sections was tiresome and I'm quite happy they've mostly disappeared. People who base their entire impression of a really stellar device on just two minor components are ridiculous. So long, farewell, you won't be missed.

 

[vbdwork]

...vocal minority...

Silent majority does whatever others tell them to do without too much thinking, you're absolutely right. 90% of people in North America readily sign long-term contracts, have their toothbrush on payments and work all their life to make big businesses around even bigger. It's very easy to convince this majority what is "better" and make them pay even more.

 

[GregMargie]

Looks as if this note 3 is going to have to last until Ara becomes a relity.

(If they want to remove confusing things from phones, remove Contacts, apps, GPS, batteries ... we get people confused about all sorts of things. A phone that has a 7 day standby, 24 hour use battery and just makes and takes phone calls is a lot less confusing. (And makes a lot less profit for the manufacturers - my 19 year old StarTAC still works.)

LOL! My husband and I both had the Startac phones. They were fantastic at the time and about $1200 new! When we gave (passed down) one to our daughter when she started driving, OMG 10 years ago, she said, "This phone is sooooo old"!

I will definitely be holding onto my Note 4 and also Note 2! It really sickens me! C'mon, Samsung, don't be a Copy Cat! Instead continue to standout as you have!

 

[syspry]

Silent majority does whatever others tell them to do without too much thinking, you're absolutely right. 90% of people in North America readily sign long-term contracts, have their toothbrush on payments and work all their life to make big businesses around even bigger. It's very easy to convince this majority what is "better" and make them pay even more.

I can't recall the last time I paid any more for a phone without an SD card...

 

[vbdwork]

I can't recall the last time I paid any more for a phone without an SD card...

Seriously?
What's the price difference between 32GB, 64GB... etc. models? Good quality 32GB Class 10 SD card is about $25. When you use your cloud storage, who pays for the data transfer over mobile network? What about cloud storage access when roaming?

 

[syspry]

Seriously?
What's the price difference between 32GB, 64GB... etc. models? Good quality 32GB Class 10 SD card is about $25. When you use your cloud storage, who pays for the data transfer over mobile network? What about cloud storage access when roaming?

Oh I see what you mean. Well that doesn't really affect me as I only usually buy 32GB phones and since I fall within the same consumer group as most people you can see one of the reasons why phone makers aren't bothering with SD anymore. Is it a bummer for the smaller group of people who deliberately shop for SD enabled phones? Yeah price wise I can see your point, it is. I don't have any beef with them. It's the ones who scream nasty comments in the comment sections and forums of every new phone I have no sympathy for because they behave as if the entire phone is just a wrapper for an SD card.

 

[vbdwork]

Oh I see what you mean.

It's not about price only. It's about convenience. No SD card slot = lost functionality.

 

[syspry]

It's not about price only. It's about convenience. No SD card slot = lost functionality.

For a select group of users, yes

 

[vbdwork]

For a select group of users, yes

Large group of smartphone users need Facebook, WhatsApp, Clash of Clans and a selfie camera only. It doesn't mean smartphone capabilities end there. There is a very large group of iOS users (for example) who need to use an app and 15 clicks to attach 2 files to an email and still feel happy. Most don't even know how to do it are are OK with that.

A group of more advanced users have higher expectations and request more options.

 

[jdmorin]

Seriously?
What's the price difference between 32GB, 64GB... etc. models? Good quality 32GB Class 10 SD card is about $25. When you use your cloud storage, who pays for the data transfer over mobile network? What about cloud storage access when roaming?

I was leery about changing carriers this week and upgrading from a S5 to a S6. Especially since my S5 was rocking a 32 GB micro SD card.

I got the 64gb S6 yesterday. Got an unlimited data plan in Canada when I changed. So I need to learn to utilize cloud storage better.

That said, had I not been offered an unlimited data plan I'd learn to utilize the cloud better WiFi.

I think cloud storage is amazing. Just need to embrace it more.

Just not sure what to do with my two 32 GB micro SD cards! Haha.

 

[vbdwork]

Got an unlimited data plan in Canada when I changed.

What carrier?

I think cloud storage is amazing.

No use when I want to transfer 8GB movie file from my local HDD storage to the phone.

 

[syspry]

Large group of smartphone users need Facebook, WhatsApp, Clash of Clans and a selfie camera only. It doesn't mean smartphone capabilities end there. There is a very large group of iOS users (for example) who need to use an app and 15 clicks to attach 2 files to an email and still feel happy. Most don't even know how to do it are are OK with that.

A group of more advanced users have higher expectations and request more options.

Yes I know, I'm just saying it's a small group

 

[vbdwork]

Yes I know, I'm just saying it's a small group

There are many different ways to say something. In post #43 you're trying to insult this group of users. Any advanced smartphone user can easily "silence" you with facts about SD card advantages. The fact you don't need or use something doesn't mean it's useless in general. This forum is about sharing information and helping each other. No need to post aggressive opinions.

 

[jdmorin]

What carrier?

I had 3gb with Telus for 55 a month (included unlimited Canada-wide, anytime minutes and unlimited text)


I changed to MTS (Manitoba Telecom Service, or whatever they call themselves now).. Have unlimited nationwide Data, 100 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, unlimited international text messaging (no picture/video though), unlimited video/pic texts in Canada, voicemail, call ID for 58.50..

Also got the 'insurance' on the phone for 9$ a month. So my plan is under 70$ (I can cancel the insurance any time in my two year contract)

Not worried about the 100 daytime minutes. I rarely use the phone during the day (if I used 25 daytime minutes with Telus I was good). With Unlimited Data, I'll use Google Hangout calling for free North America calling (can't receive, but can call).

 

[vbdwork]

Have unlimited nationwide Data...

It's not really unlimited. As per MTS Excessive Use Policy you'll be throttled once you reach 15GB (subject to change) in a 30 day period regardless of your billing cycle. MTS doesn't specify throttled speeds, but users report 128Kbps down and 128Kbps up speeds. And about 3 minutes a day phone calls included in your plan is not something most people will be OK with. It's extremely limited phone service indeed. A phone is a phone first, MTS is limiting your main device function.

Your case is just another example how service providers lure customers with one service and set a trap for using another. MTS charges $0.50/minute for additional minutes, more than most prepaid phone cards. And they will count 1 full minute for every phone call you make, even 3 seconds long.

 

[Sake]

It's all about business in first place. More internal storage - much higher hardware price. Not enough storage - more use of mobile data, cloud storage, online services, etc. Non removable battery - disposable devices. They want our money.

I completelly agree with you. All ways are good to take our money. I just would like to add the fact that not everyone need a lot of memory in their phone ... But the want to sell more and more with higher and higher prices, and advertise it as the best phone it has never been ... Hurk !

 

[jdmorin]

It's not really unlimited. As per MTS Excessive Use Policy you'll be throttled once you reach 15GB (subject to change) in a 30 day period regardless of your billing cycle. MTS doesn't specify throttled speeds, but users report 128Kbps down and 128Kbps up speeds. And about 3 minutes a day phone calls included in your plan is not something most people will be OK with. It's extremely limited phone service indeed. A phone is a phone first, MTS is limiting your main device function.

Your case is just another example how service providers lure customers with one service and set a trap for using another. MTS charges $0.50/minute for additional minutes, more than most prepaid phone cards. And they will count 1 full minute for every phone call you make, even 3 seconds long.

Not worried about the 100 daytime minutes. I work 6am to 6pm monday to Friday. Last month if I had 100 minutes used ANYITME, it was high.

The contract I says I'll get a 'warning' text when I'm approaching 15gb, and it would be throttled so.. 256 if I recall correctly. Not overly worried. I can probably do 15gb in about 25 days from streaming at work (not every minute of the day, I shut it down when I'm away from my desk, etc..). I can probably get in 6 hours of streaming 5 days a week (that would be a heavy streaming day of music, etc.. no videos though), and then there's my wifi at home.

As for the phone service, again, not worried. If I need to Google Hangouts lets me make calls over data.

I don't stream video, so really, the plan will work for what I need it to. I'm going to put it to the test and see how far I can push it.


On the 3 minute a day.. You are assuming people use the phone during work hours every day. I don't. I think we digress from the post though


At the end of the day though, what it comes down to is what phone and plan works for each person. Everyone's habits are different, and everyone uses different things

 

[syspry]

There are many different ways to say something. In post #43 you're trying to insult this group of users. Any advanced smartphone user can easily "silence" you with facts about SD card advantages. The fact you don't need or use something doesn't mean it's useless in general. This forum is about sharing information and helping each other. No need to post aggressive opinions.

I was referring to the people who become rabidly vicious about SD cards in the comment fields of phone reviews on various tech media outlets (ie. Engadget, Verge, etc) and I already clarified that. Since none of those people are part of this particular discussion, then by extension, none of what I said applies to anyone in this discussion, including you. If you're choosing to align yourself with that category, that's your decision of course. If not, then please be clear that you were never a recipient.

 

[Befriendss]

Are these problemes real??