What Is TF (TransFlash) Card And How Is It Different From SD Card?

big-card

BigJarNews

Gadgets

5 Mins Read

August 20, 2021

Last Updated on: November 24, 2023

TF card

Do you think this is the first time you have heard about a TF card? Well, you are wrong. You have used it many times before on your smartphones, but you just knew a different name for it. A TF card is a micro-SD card that you put in smartphones, gaming consoles, digital cameras, etc. So does it ring a bell now?

The micro SD card, which became the latest trend a few years back when people were no longer using SD cards, is the TF card. But TF Cards and SD cards have many differences in their size, aspects, features, and functions. So, let’s check these out.

What Is A TF Card?

The TF card (Trans-flash) card was first launched in the market in the year, 2004. It was a collaboration between Sandisk and Motorola. It requires a one-quarter SD card size, and it is pretty small in size (11*15*1 mm). 

Even a minor memory card in the market can incorporate an SD card reader and adapter. If you convert the TF card with an SD card adapter, you can also use the TF card like an SD card. You can store any data in a digital form on this card and perform a wide array of mixed media applications.

Since the TF card adopted the SD card’s design, the SD Association relaunched it as a micro SD card in 2004. This relaunch made the TF card an official member of the SD card family, and it also made people realize that the TF card is not an alien subject. It works like the SD cards, but better. 

What Is An SD Card?

SD card is the acronym for Secure Digital Card. It is a non-volatile memory card, which you can remove easily. You can read and write large quantities of data on an SD card. Therefore, you can put it in a large variety of electronic devices, mobile phones, digital cameras, etc. 

The SD card came into the market in 1999, and it was a collaboration between SanDisk, Toshiba, and Panasonic. It became wildly popular due to its fast data transfer speed, small size, and other fantastic features. 

There is no difference between a memory card and an SD card. You can measure the capacity of an SD card in gigabytes, such as 16GB, 32GB, or 64 GB, etc. The standard size of an SD card is 32.0*24.0*2.1 mm. 

You May Like: Comprehensive Guide To YouTube Frame By Frame

How Are The TF Cards Different From The SD Cards?

In the debate between the TF card vs. SD card, it looks like there are many prominent differences between the two types. So, let’s check those out.

1: Difference In Appearance, And Size

Both the TF card and the SD card have different size variants. The volume of an SD card is 24 mm * 32 mm * 2.1 mm. On the contrary, the importance of a TF card is 15 mm * 11 mm * 1 mm. Both of them are black, but they look different from one another. The TF card is comparatively much smaller than the SD card. 

2: Difference In Application

If you think both SD cards and TF cards are memory cards, so they have a similar use, you are wrong. We use the TF cards mainly on mobile phones. On the other hand, we use SD cards in many portable devices, especially multimedia players, digital cameras, and personal digital assistants. However, the TF cards are becoming increasingly small in size as the days pass, so we currently use them only on flash memory disks, portable music players, and GPS devices.

You May Like: Why Is Avast Using So Much CPU?- Complete Guide

3: Difference In Price

The budget of a TF card varies mainly from the cost of an SD card. Even if you look at the TF card and SD card of the same brand, you will see how widely they differ in price. The cost of an SD card always remains higher than the cost of a TF card. For example, a 16 GB SanDisk TF card is $6.65, while a 16 GB SanDisk SD card costs $8.55.

4: Difference In Conversion

You can use the plug adapter to convert a TF card into an SD card. However, you cannot convert an SD card into a TF card with similar kinds of adapters. So, it may be clear now, why is the price of an SD card higher than the TF card, right?

5: Difference In Technology

The technologies of both the SD cards and of the TF cards are different from one another. They have used the NAND flash memory conductor technology to make the SD cards. But, they have used the SanDisk Controller Technology and the NAND MLC technology together to make the TF cards. 

Also Read: Technology News

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As we are coming close to concluding the article, we assume you have some other questions not present in this article. So, let’s take a look at the following questions now;

1: Are There Any Similarities Between TF cards and SD cards?

Ans: Yes, there are some similarities between the TF cards and the SD cards. Although they both look different, they have the same storage capacity options available. The 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64 GB, and 128GB options are available for both cards.

2: Which One Is Better Between TF Cards And SD Cards?

Ans: There is no better or worse between these cards because both have very different use. You use the TF cards in smartphones and the SD cards in digital cameras, so both are capable in their works. 

3: Can I Use An SD Card In The TF Slot?

Ans: No, you cannot use an SD card in the TF slot because both have a vast difference in their size. The TF card slot is usually smaller than the SD cards, so you cannot use them for one place.

4: Do Drones Take SD Cards?

Ans: For drones, we recommend you use the TF cards instead of the SD cards. If you have a Go Pro Hero 6 capable of recording in 4K quality, it’s also better to use a TF card. 

Conclusion

If you have read the whole article so far, you must have understood the difference between an SD card and a TF card. Now, the debate between TF card vs. SD card is eternal, so there is no better or worse. However, both are also known as memory cards, therefore, don’t confuse yourself there. If you have any other questions, post them down below. 

Read More:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like