Brian & Anand Hate SD Card's in Phones

[Cerb]

Until we have superbatteries that last days let me flip my battery or I am not buying, even if that does defacto make me a Samsung loyalist.

TBF, Samsung isn't the only option for that. Even if you don't need to do charge a lot, v. swapping batteries, since batteries often start going bad before the rest of the phone, it's handy to have for servicing. Leaving the phone to get hot in your car, for instance, isn't good for the battery, but it's going to happen, if you use it cradled on the dash (which I do, FI).

The chances of getting batteries much denser is very low. Faster charging, and better at handling overdischarge, overcharge, temp ranges, impacts, etc., yes, but capacity only seems to crawl up at a snail's pace. What's happening is SoCs getting more efficient, RAM getting lower in power use, and displays getting lower in power use. As long as some companies don't make the batteries comparably smaller to compensate, or you can get larger batteries than stock, the result will be longer useable life, as time goes on.

 

[evident]

Oh and "opportunistic charging" is BS. Why do I need to be constantly vigilant about charging? With an external battery charger I never pay attention to my phone battery, wakelocks, usage patterns, charging when I can etc. When my phone beeps, I flip the battery. The closest I come to thinking about it is if I will be out all day I bring the extra battery with me. It really doesn't add much to my pocket, nothing compared to my power pack.

Totally with you. There is no "opportunistic charging" when i'm out in the city all day and im checking out train schedules, taking pictures with my phone, looking up reviews for bars or restaurants. do they expect me to sit in a cafe and charge my phone, or i can just swap out my used battery with a fresh fully charged one! most importantly, i'm not always "worried" about whether i will have an opportunity to charge. so i can just use my phone as i (reasonably) please!

i feel so strongly about removable batteries and SD cards, and for them to argue AGAINST having them, against us having a choice and moving forward where nothing is user replacable is preposterous. a phone with battery that can't hold a charge is useless.

 

[openwheel]

As long as people continue to be satisfied with only replaceable battery and mSD slot, the we will never see adequet internal storage.

 

[TerryMathews]

As long as people continue to be satisfied with only replaceable battery and mSD slot, the we will never see adequet internal storage.

Keep trying, spinmaster.

The availability of uSD has nothing to do with the size internal storage offered, because it is a major profit center as you noted.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Tried RawDroid? Still a WIP but not bad.

No, not yet, I may give that a try...

Problem is my HTC One only has 64GB and I can shoot that much in a couple days with my D800E's.

Going forward, I could see a wedding shooter wirelessly transferring from camera to phone for backup and many wedding photogs can burn through 1000-2000 images and at 50MB/pic that could be 100GB. If you were to send that to the cloud via your phone because you didn't have the storage that would be pretty expensive in data costs.

I will never understand the idea, bandied about here and elsewhere, that I shouldn't bother with onboard storage. I'll say it again, within a decade many here will have phones with 1TB and more and some of them will be be among the "you don't need onboard storage" crowd.


Brian

 

[BoberFett]

As long as people continue to be satisfied with only replaceable battery and mSD slot, the we will never see adequet internal storage.

Then companies that eschew the SD slot should be putting out phones with 128/256/512 then, right?

Oh they're not? Then what's holding them back?

 

[openwheel]

Keep trying, spinmaster.

Its only common business sense. We are saying the same thing here. Potayto and potahto.

 

[openwheel]

Then companies that eschew the SD slot should be putting out phones with 128/256/512 then, right?

Oh they're not? Then what's holding them back?

Huh?

Not at all what I said. I clearly said we will not see extra storage as long as we are satisfied with mSD a lot. I also repeatedly said manufacturers are happy charging you a kidney for small internal storage.

 

[Zaap]

Its only common business sense.

No it isn't. As you were asked, (and don't seemed to have answered) what would stop anyone that doesn't do mSD from adding more internal storage? After all, its those of us with mSD and 64GB/96GB capacities that they'd have to convince that internal-only is better.

It's actually the opposite situation: so long as lots of people like you will shell out for a device with 16/32GB of total storage and say: "Thank you, that's plenty! And please... don't let me add on to that!" then they'll keep selling you piddly internal capacity for an insane markup. Why would they upset that gravy train? You're certainly not the one demanding anyone up storage amounts.

 

[s44]

The same goes with batteries. I don't need a removable 1500mah battery. I'd rather you give me a built in 3000 mah battery that lasts more than a day, and we're good.

Except that's not how it works.

The extra capacity you get with sealed seems to be about 15% (see the two versions of the G2). If you're (almost) always going to fall into that zone near the end of the day and not before, great -- sealed has helped. But that's not usually how it works: if you're a light user, at this point even the small Nexus 5 battery is fine, but if you're a heavy user or have a heavy use day you can blow right through 3000 before nightfall.

I'll take 2600+2600 over 3000 and a charger any day. Not least because I don't have to give a crap about Greenify, wakelocks, bad reception zones, or any of that.

 

[StrangerGuy]

It's very easy to lose microSD cards if you take them out. Heck I've lost even standard SD cards and microSD to SD card adapters left and right.

If you're using the SD card as fixed storage in a phone, then the issue isn't that you want portability, and just greater storage. That's why I've made my stance clear that I'm not so much caring about removable storage as it is a reasonable amount of onboard storage.

The same goes with batteries. I don't need a removable 1500mah battery. I'd rather you give me a built in 3000 mah battery that lasts more than a day, and we're good.

Getting rid of SD slots because it is easy to lose the cards is a downright idiotic argument. Nobody is forcing anybody to use or taking out SD cards, and why stop only at there? Why not get rid of car keys too while at it?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Getting rid of SD slots because it is easy to lose the cards is a downright idiotic argument. Nobody is forcing anybody to use or taking out SD cards, and why stop only at there? Why not get rid of car keys too while at it?

I'm not advocating for removal of SD cards. I'm saying that I like it currently because they are our only option of obtaining reasonable storage space on a phone at a reasonable price. Asking me to pay $800 for a 64gb phone is not reasonable.

At the same time for me, I could care less if the extra storage was in SD card or internal storage. If my there was a $450 or $500 option for a 64gb Nexus 5 or even 128gb, I'd grab that. To me I'm not using the SD card so much as portable storage, and I'm pretty sure most users don't even touch their SD cards.

Now I realize SOME people want that option of swapping SD cards, but that's a small minority. I mean how many people do that anyway? Plus, USB connectivity and wireless file transfers are already in place that it's not like I'm missing out on that much. As for this functionality, I don't mind that we retain SD cards to please these folks. I'm unaffected because I use my SD card a certain way.

With that said, my post was just to address the fact that yes there is concern that SD cards are easily lost, and I think most users here can agree with that. Is that a reason to ban SD cards? No, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't look for better ways to provide storage while minimizing data loss.

As for your car keys argument... uhh ridiculous? You don't think we're finding ways to make keys easier to deal with? Like those iPhone/Android home locks? I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a similar system for cars in the next few years. Push to start functionality is certainly a step in the right direction. You could integrate that with Bluetooth on a phone for example. The point is that we've seen innovation since the early car days of always having to fit a key in the keyhole. Plus, there's plenty of products to address lost keys.

 

[BrightCandle]

Until the phone manufacturers stop overcharging for the extra flash ram I want an SD slots. I don't want to pay 3x as much for the upgrade. Its the overpricing that makes SD slots not a niche but a mainstream requirement.

 

[poofyhairguy]

What I don't get is:

The argument for a non-replaceable battery is that you can squeeze more battery inside the case.

Why don't we see that for storage?

Simply put, it is 2013 and we don't have a 128GB phone. With all that extra space inside on a unibody design can't they fit the like two 64 GB chips if 128 ones don't exist? Why doesn't that excuse go both ways?

Also after playing with my sister's HTC One last night made me appreciate a removable back. How can all these anal people that flip out about a crack for a battery cover not melt down about all the ugly stickers on the back of an American Android phone? I don't know how Apple gets away without the stickers but that fact makes Apple the only appealing unibody design.

Which gets us to the core of all of this- most of this is justification for Apple design choices.

 

[poofyhairguy]

As long as people continue to be satisfied with only replaceable battery and mSD slot, the we will never see adequet internal storage.

Why do you care? You seem to do fine on low internal storage.

Let us have our SD card slots if we want them. Why is that a problem for you?

I don't see why anyone would argue against removable batteries and SD slots unless they are industry cheerleaders or they are trying to address the cognitive dissonance of their own purchase decision.

 

[TerryMathews]

Why do you care? You seem to do fine on low internal storage.

Let us have our SD card slots if we want them. Why is that a problem for you?

I don't see why anyone would argue against removable batteries and SD slots unless they are industry cheerleaders or they are trying to address the cognitive dissonance of their own purchase decision.

Exactly this

 

[Commodus]

What I don't get is:

The argument for a non-replaceable battery is that you can squeeze more battery inside the case.

Why don't we see that for storage?

Simply put, it is 2013 and we don't have a 128GB phone. With all that extra space inside on a unibody design can't they fit the like two 64 GB chips if 128 ones don't exist? Why doesn't that excuse go both ways?

Actually, there is a 128GB phone: a special version of the Meizu MX3.

Space isn't as much of an issue with smartphones so much as cost. Even two 64GB chips is going to be very expensive in late 2013; that MX3 costs the equivalent of $660 in China, and the price would likely go higher if it sold in the US.

I suspect we'll see a true wave of 128GB phones in 2014, and that may include companies like Apple and HTC (particularly if that rumored larger iPhone becomes reality). Just don't count on them being cheap.

 

[deputc26]

Of course, half of it confusing users is that you have an "SD" mounted without any cards plugged in, which is just plain stupid, and confuses even us techie users the first time we have to deal with it. I get it, technically, but if they called it something else, like, "internal," or "phone," it would not confuse users at all.

So true, and thanks s44 and Welshbloke for the S3 tips.

 

[sweenish]

What I don't get is:

The argument for a non-replaceable battery is that you can squeeze more battery inside the case.

Why don't we see that for storage?

Simply put, it is 2013 and we don't have a 128GB phone. With all that extra space inside on a unibody design can't they fit the like two 64 GB chips if 128 ones don't exist? Why doesn't that excuse go both ways?

Also after playing with my sister's HTC One last night made me appreciate a removable back. How can all these anal people that flip out about a crack for a battery cover not melt down about all the ugly stickers on the back of an American Android phone? I don't know how Apple gets away without the stickers but that fact makes Apple the only appealing unibody design.

Which gets us to the core of all of this- most of this is justification for Apple design choices.

We don't, but the Chinese do.

Have a 128 GB phone, that is.

EDIT: That's what I get for skipping posts. I was beat to that punch.

 

[blairharrington]

I was hoping that a 128 GB iPad that was introduced earlier this year meant the same for the iPhone 5S. Sadly that wasn't the case yet Apple now offers the iPad Mini in a 128 GB variant. I hope we start seeing 128 GB phones in 2013.

I think the current OEM's offering an SD card slot in their phones will continue to do so in 2014. In fact I think there is a good chance HTC will jump on board too seeing that the One Max has one.

 

[ultimatebob]

Let's see... I can get an extra 32 GB of MicroSD storage for about $20 on my Samsung Galaxy phone, or spend an extra $100 for an additional 16 GB of storage on an iPhone.

Oh... and if the battery goes bad, I'm basically screwed. Gee... tough decision.

 

[Joe1987]

Let's see... I can get an extra 32 GB of MicroSD storage for about $20 on my Samsung Galaxy phone, or spend an extra $100 for an additional 16 GB of storage on an iPhone.

Oh... and if the battery goes bad, I'm basically screwed. Gee... tough decision.

I'm with you on the memory thing, but swapping out the battery on a 5, 5s, 5c is pretty simple.

 

[tommo123]

something you can do at any random location with absolutely nothing on you bar the battery and your fingers?

 

[openwheel]

Why do you care? You seem to do fine on low internal storage.

Let us have our SD card slots if we want them. Why is that a problem for you?

I don't see why anyone would argue against removable batteries and SD slots unless they are industry cheerleaders or they are trying to address the cognitive dissonance of their own purchase decision.

I don't care. I am lucky enough to have free unlimited LTE and able to adapt to using only 8 or 16gig internal storage. As a frequent traveler I just don't see the big deal as long as one is semi organized. I also do fine on a 2 week long vacation in Germany and France with only 1 gig of data. That includes relying on Google Nav for directions. I got enough shows and music to keep me entertained on an 8gig phine and 16 gig tablet. The difference is I took the time to manage my files while some has to keep 500 albums on their SD card for unknown reason.

I never have and never will pay extra for internal storage. I also refuse to buy mSD cards now because the good ones are too pricy and cheap ones are unreliable. My files are too precious to rely on cheap mSD and I learned it the hard way.

My point is that as long as millions are satisfied with slow and unreliable mSD slot, then don't complain if manufacturers continue to include minimal internal storage. It is only common business sense. I understand the reason for mSD card, and I wouldn't complain if my phone has one because my Razr M has the slot. However, I think its silly to bitch and moan about it because NO ONE here has made a decent argument for it IMO.

 

[Oyeve]

I'm with you on the memory thing, but swapping out the battery on a 5, 5s, 5c is pretty simple.

Not as simple as just removing the back plate and popping out a battery. Come on, be real here.