SanDisk Extreme UHS I and Extreme Plus microSDXC U3 Memory Card Review

TweakTown's Rating: 90%

The Bottom Line

Both the SanDisk Extreme SDXC and Extreme Plus microSDXC are great memory cards for their intended uses. The Extreme showed it was a capable solution with 45 MB/s read and writes, while the Extreme Plus is a fantastic solution for action cameras at 95 MB/s!

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The Extreme line up of SD memory cards is number three in a six point memory card line up for SanDisk. In fact, within that portfolio, we have had the chance to look at both the 32GB Extreme Pro and the 32GB Extreme Pro UHS II card, the highest performing we have tested to date. In the lab today, we have the 64GB SanDisk Extreme, along with a small surprise, the new Extreme Plus 64GB U3 memory card.

The SanDisk Extreme carries marketing numbers featuring read and write speeds up to 45 MB/s. This card carries both the UHS-I and Speed Class 10 designations and is focused towards users of advanced cameras and HD camcorders.

The SanDisk Extreme Plus 64GB microSDXC, on the other hand, carries both UHS I Class 3 and Speed Class 10 and is marketed for action cameras and shooting 4K video. The Extreme Plus carries marketing specifications of 80 MB/s read and 50 MB/s write.

MSRP of the SanDisk Extreme in the 64GB flavour is listed at $49.99 with a lifetime warranty. The Extreme Plus microSDXC in the 64GB capacity is set at $159.99, also with a lifetime warranty.

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Packaging for the SanDisk Extreme 64GB UHS I is ready for retail. The card is protected by a plastic case with marketing numbers surrounding. Our sample of the Extreme Plus 64GB microSDXC did not come with retail packaging.

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Here we get our first look at the new SanDisk Extreme SDXC. SanDisk has chosen to change things up a bit and go with a red on gold scheme with these new cards.

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The Extreme Plus carries on the traditional look of the Extreme line up of microSDXC cards. Here we have the half gold with red color scheme of previous designs.

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Here we start with the 64GB SDXC that is factory formatted with the exFAT file system, insuring compatibility between Windows and Macintosh computers. The usable capacity after formatting is 59.4GB.

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CrystalDiskMark results for the 64GB Extreme SDXC came in at 47 MB/s read and 44.4 MB/s write.

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Price/Performance for the SanDisk Extreme puts the card at 66%, right above both the UHS II solution and 32GB Extreme Pro UHS I.

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Next we move onto the 64GB Extreme Plus microSDXC. This drive is factory formatted with the exFAT file system, the usable capacity after formatting is 59.4GB.

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Here we have the results for the Extreme Plus, as you can see we topped marketing numbers by a slight margin getting 95 MB/s read and 61 MB/s write.

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Price/Performance for the microSDXC SanDisk Extreme Plus was quite good, sitting right behind the Samsung Pro and SanDisk Extreme 64GB cards.

The SanDisk Extreme 64GB SDXC did quite well in our testing, we were able to exceed marketing by a very slim margin with reads at 47 MB/s and writes at 44 MB/s.

Build quality of the card was good, no issues were present during the time I spent with the card, and with it being marketed towards advanced photography and HD recording, I feel this card would have no issues with either of those.

Moving over to the SanDisk Extreme Plus microSDXC, I was quite surprised by the amount of performance held in this tiny package. Of course, carrying the U3 designation we knew going in it would be a quick memory card, but 95 MB/s reads are very quick and should do quite well in its intended segment, action cameras. In fact, this may be a great card for those of you like me, which use the Mobius HD Action Cam on your quadcopter.

PRICING: You can find the SanDisk memory cards we reviewed for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing but can change at any time. Click the link to see the very latest pricing for the best deal.

United States: The SanDisk Extreme Plus 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card retails for $114.54 at Amazon, and the SanDisk 64GB Extreme U3/UHS-I SDXC Memory Card retails for $54.99 at Amazon.

Canada: The SanDisk 64GB Extreme U3/UHS-I SDXC Memory Card retails for CDN$117.41 at Amazon Canada.

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