The SanDisk SDSQXAV-256G-GN6MN 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card promises blazing-fast transfer speeds and ample storage. But does it live up to the hype in real-world usage? I’ve put this card through its paces over the past few weeks, testing its performance in various scenarios, from transferring large files to shooting 4K video on my Android phone. Here’s my detailed review.

Key Features

The SanDisk SDSQXAV-256G-GN6MN boasts several key features designed to enhance user experience. Its advertised read speed of 160 MB/s and write speed of 90 MB/s are impressive on paper. The A1 rating ensures faster app loading on Android devices, a definite plus for anyone using memory cards for app storage. The 256GB capacity provides ample space for photos, videos, and other files. The gold/red colour scheme is also a nice touch, although purely aesthetic.

Performance Benchmarks

In my tests, the card consistently met its advertised transfer speeds. Transferring a 10GB folder of high-resolution photos took significantly less time than with my previous card. 4K video recording was smooth and uninterrupted, with no noticeable lag or dropped frames. App loading times were noticeably faster compared to using the internal storage of my phone. However, write speeds did slightly dip under heavy sustained writing tasks. I noticed this more when transferring numerous large files concurrently.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fast transfer speeds.
• Large storage capacity (256GB).
• A1 rating for faster app loading.
• Reliable performance in various usage scenarios.

Cons:

• Write speeds can drop slightly under sustained heavy loads.
• Price point might be higher compared to some other cards in the market.

Final Verdict

Overall, the SanDisk SDSQXAV-256G-GN6MN 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Card is a solid performer. The speed is excellent for most daily use cases, and the capacity is very generous. While the write speed could be improved slightly under heavy load, it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall user experience. If you need fast transfer speeds and a large amount of storage for your Android device, this card is a strong recommendation. The slight drop in write speed under heavy sustained workloads should not deter most users.