A TF card and a micro SD card might sound synonymous, and in some instances, they might be the same to someone. But, there are some differences between the two devices.
These differences TF card and a micro SD card are easy to identify based on certain functionalities and also characteristics. The differences exist, although both the devices are memory cards.
What is the difference between a TF card and a micro SD card?
A memory card is an electronic data storing device which stores digital information. It stores this information using flash memory in portable devices.
The current market of memory cards has some of the brands like SanDisk, Sony, Toshiba, among others in it. These brands compete to produce the most compact memory cards with most functionality.
Modern-day smartphones and portable devices that can store data have memory card slots.
Both the TF card and the micro SD card are different versions of the memory card. Yet, they have certain differences that make them distinguishable from each other.
The Secure Digital (SD) card was a joint venture of Panasonic, Toshiba, and SanDisk and was launched in 1999. At the time this was the most compact version of any storage device available.
The new generation introduced the TransFlash (TF) card. This card came from a joint venture of Motorola and SanDisk in 2004. SanDisk kept producing its compact memory cards under the TransFlash name.
These cards were the same in appearance and technicality with the SD card.
The micro SD card, which is a slight upgrade on the TransFlash card, got introduced later. These cards are used in smartphones and also in a few GPS equipped handheld devices.
Another difference between both these memory storage devices is their storage capacities. Both of them are capable of storing 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB of data.
The TransFlash card is compatible with storing 64 GB. To better understand the difference between the two, let’s take an in-depth look at both of them
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What is a TF card ?
The TransFlash TF card was first introduced in 2004 by Motorola and SanDisk. This was the new generation of tf memory card and the TF card was the smallest memory storing device in the world.
The dimensions of the card, being 11X15X1 mm make it quarter the size of an SD card. This categorizes the product as an ultra-small card.
It is compatible with the SD adapter and any SD card reader as well.
As such, this card does not feature any such difference with the SD card. It is used to store digital memory in portable devices and smartphones.
A TransFlash card is also classified in various classes based on their usage.
A class 2 card is suitable for standard definition video recording. Class 4 and 6 cards are suitable for high definition video recording.
We can use a class 10 TF card for full HD video recording. It is instrumental when shooting high-resolution videos and RAW photos.
What is a micro SD card?
The SD card or the Secure Digital card was first introduced in 1999 by Toshiba, Panasonic, and SanDisk. At the time this was the smallest memory card available in the market.
This version of the memory card went through gradual modifications. The modified version was the TransFlash card.
The TransFlash version received a few updates later to produce the micro SD card.
This version is suitable for smartphones globally and also for GPS equipped devices.
Every modern smartphone has a micro SD card slot. This version of the card is by far the smallest and also like the TF card in dimensions (15.0×11.0×1.0 mm).
One important aspect of all these cards is that none of them is backward compatible.
This means that a newer version of the memory card will not be compatible with an older device. But the vice versa will operate with ease.
How to format a TF card and a micro SD card?
It is clear from the previous discussions that both these cards are the same device. There are minor differences in storage capacity, manufacturing history, and scope of use.
Both these cards store digital data using flash memory. It is possible at times, the files stored, become corrupted and become harmful for the device.
As such, we need to format the cards to get rid of these files. It can be done in two ways.
One is by using the tools on the Windows that comes with the operating system. The other is through third-party software.
An example of this third-party software is the MiniTool Partition Wizard.
This software functions as a professional partition manager. It allows users to format partitions, recover lost data and migrate the operating system.
The following instructions help to format your memory card using MiniTool software.
1. Connect the memory card ( micro SD card/ TF card ) with the computer
2. Once connected, launch the MiniTool Partition Wizard.
3. In the interface, click on the Micro SD card option.
4. In the action panel, select Format Partition.
5. Set a partition label and file system for the partition and follow it by clicking Ok
6. To execute the pending operation, select Apply.
After the mentioned steps, your memory card will become formatted. If you lose some data during this operation, the MiniTool software allows you to recover it.
The recovery is possible, provided no new data has been added in the card.
Conclusion
In this article, we have provided information related to both tf card an micro sd card . The information is provided simply, to help to understand with ease.
The memory cards are more compact with every passing year. Soon there will be a replacement for these two cards in the market. Until then, these are the best tools we have.
If you still have any doubts, give it another read. Second time’s the charm.
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