[U1 vs U3 SD card] Explaining the REAL difference (2023)

UHS speed classIt is divided into two classifications, UHS-I and UHS-III, which is commonly known asU1 e U3. today let's compareSD card U1 vs. U3and see the difference in performance between these types of memory cards.

Let's begin!

U1 vs U3 – Physical appearance

The main difference you might notice when looking at the U1 and U3 cards is in the card's contacts. U3 memory cards have an additional row of contact points below the card's main connection points.

On the other hand, U1 memory cards have only one row of contact points. Heextra row of pins on U3 SD cardallows for faster transfer speeds which we will discuss in detail below.

U1 vs U3: speed and performance

Now, the most important thing between these two types of cards is their speed performance.U1 cardswere first introduced in 2010, which include a maximum bus speed of104 MB per second.

On the other hand,U3 SD cardsThey were first unveiled at CES 2017 and boast a maximum bus speed of624 MB per secondwhich is six times faster compared to U1 SD card.

U1cards are mainly used to regulatedaily tasksand it can record video at up to 1080p resolution, which is decent for most mid-range cameras. On the other hand,U3 SD cardsare designed for professionals who use DSLR cameras and action cameras that can shoot4k videos.

Now that we've identified the main differences between the two types of cards, let's take a look at some of thebest U1 and U3 memory cardsnot market.

Best U3 SD cards

Lexar Professional 2000x U3 SD Card

One of the best U3 memory cards you can get in the market right now is theProfessional Lexar 2000x. It has a transfer speed of 300MB per second which is better for large file transfers. In terms of writing speed, the Lexar Professional 2000x excels with a maximumWrite speed of 260 MB per second. That's enough for smooth, glitch-free 4K video recording on most high-end cameras.

Polaroid Extreme Performance U3 memory card

If you're looking for a mid-range option that offers decent performance at a reasonable price, consider the Polaroid Extreme Performance SD Card. ANDcosts $52 on Amazonfor 64 GB storage. For this price, you will get a good transfer speed that can go up to 95MB per second, which is enough to transfer 2-4GB of files at a time. In terms of writing speed, the Polaroid Extreme Performance card includes aWrite speed of 90 MB per secondwhich is enough for decent 4K video recording.

Transcend U3 High Speed ​​SD Card

For a budget U3 SD card, Transcend's high-speed memory card offers entry-level performance at an affordable price. For transfer speeds, the card can reach up to90 MB per second read speedwhich is almost on par with the Polaroid Extreme SD card. Now for the write speed, the Transcend High-Speed ​​card has a maximum write speed of 60MB per second, which is stillcapable of recording 4k videosfor most high-end cameras.

The best U1 memory cards

Transcend SDXC U1 Flash Memory Card

HeTarjeta SD Transcend SDXCit is the most expensive in this list of U1 cards. It costs $30 on Amazon, offering a transfer speed of up to 90MB per second. As the card is rated U1, it is capable of up to 10MB per second in terms of write speed. The card can only supportvideo recordings up to 1080Presolution. However, the card can also record 3D video, which is still great for a U1 memory card.

Lexar Professional 633x U1 SD Card

Focused on mid-range DSLR cameras, theLexar Professional 633xit's a budget card that can deliver excellent performance for its price. The Lexar Professional 633x has a recording speed of up to 45MB per second, which is enough for decent 4K video recording. Unlike the previous Transcend memory card, the 633x can still shoot 4K video even though it only has a U1 rating. For transfer speeds, the card can reach up to 95MB per second, which is good for large file transfers.

SanDisk Extreme Pro U1 SD Card

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is all about performance, the card ispriced at $20which includes a transfer speed of up to 170 MB per second, which is excellent for a U1 rated memory card. Now, in terms of writing speed, SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card can reach up to 90 MB per second maximum. The card also supports 4K video recording and sequential burst shooting.

In some regions, the SanDisk Extreme Pro isoffered with lifetime warrantyand 30 years for unsupported countries. Tested under severe and extreme conditions, the SanDisk Extreme Pro is resistant to water, shock, temperature, X-rays and magnetism.

What kind of SD card should you get?

Well, despite the big difference between U1 and U3 SD cards in price and performance, the selection between these two types of cardsit still comes down to your device compatibility. Not all devices that use SD cards have storage compatible with U3 memory cards. Now, a U3 memory card will still only work in U1 compatible devices; however, it will not maximize the performance of the U3 card. Therefore, it is still advisable to check your device's compatibility before purchasing a U3 memory card.

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