What’s the difference between SanDisk Extreme, Extreme Pro and Ultra SD Cards?

SanDisk has three similar SD cards currently on the market with the Extreme, Extreme Pro and Ultra models. So, what are the differences between these?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the memory cards.

Quick Summary

When you compared the 32GB capacities, the SanDisk Ultra SD Card is faster at maximum transfer speed than the SanDisk Extreme SD Card and SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card.

At capacities that are bigger than 32GB, the SanDisk Extreme Pro is the best at transfer speeds out of this group, followed by the SanDisk Extreme. The Ultra version is the slowest.

The Extreme and Extreme Pro versions are also the only ones to be rated with a video speed class rating of V30.

Furthermore, you will get a longer warranty with both the Extreme and Extreme Pro SD cards when compared to the Ultra SD card.

SanDisk SD Cards Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table between the three SD cards below.

Capacity Options

The Extreme model is the only one out of this group to offer a 16GB capacity option.

The Extreme Pro model is the only one to offer the 512GB and 1TB capacities.

All three models can be purchased in the 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities.

You can check out a breakdown of the available options below:

SanDisk Extreme SD Card:

• 16GB
• 32GB
• 64GB
• 128GB
• 256GB

SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card:

• 32GB
• 64GB
• 128GB
• 256GB
• 512GB
• 1TB

SanDisk Ultra SD Card:

• 32GB
• 64GB
• 128GB
• 256GB

Model Number

You can also take a look at the model numbers for each capacity for all three products below:

SanDisk Extreme SD:

• 16GB: SDSDXNE-016G-GNCIN
• 32GB: SDSDXVE-032G-GNCIN
• 64GB: SDSDXV6-064G-GNCIN
• 128GB: SDSDXV5-128G-GNCIN
• 256GB: SDSDXV5-256G-GNCIN

SanDisk Extreme Pro SD:

• 32GB: SDSDXXG-032G-GN4IN
• 64GB: SDSDXXY-064G-GN4IN
• 128GB: SDSDXXY-128G-GN4IN
• 256GB: SDSDXXY-256G-GN4IN
• 512GB: SDSDXXY-512G-GN4IN
• 1TB: SDSDXXY-1T00-GN4IN

SanDisk Ultra SD:

• 32GB: SDSDUN4-032G-GN6IN
• 64GB: SDSDUN4-064G-GN6IN
• 128GB: SDSDUN4-128G-GN6IN
• 256GB: SDSDUN4-256G-GN6IN

Ultra High-Speed Bus Interface

The Extreme SD, Extreme Pro SD and Ultra SD utilize the UHS-I bus interface.

File System

The 16GB and 32GB versions of the Extreme, Extreme Pro and Ultra use the SDHC file system.

The bigger capacities options of the three SanDisk SD cards in this versus guide use the SDXC file system.

You can find a breakdown of the file system for all the capacity options below:

• 16GB SanDisk Extreme: SDHC
• 32GB SanDisk Extreme: SDHC
• 64GB SanDisk Extreme: SDXC
• 128GB SanDisk Extreme: SDXC
• 256GB SanDisk Extreme: SDXC

• 32GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: SDHC
• 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: SDXC
• 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: SDXC
• 256GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: SDXC
• 512GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: SDXC
• 1TB SanDisk Extreme Pro: SDXC

• 32GB SanDisk Ultra: SDHC
• 64GB SanDisk Ultra: SDXC
• 128GB SanDisk Ultra: SDXC
• 256GB SanDisk Ultra: SDXC

Speed Class

The SanDisk Extreme, Extreme Pro and Ultra memory cards have been rated for Class 10, which means that all three models have a minimum write speed of 10 MB per second.

UHS Speed Class

The three versions of the SanDisk SD card have also been categorized with an UHS speed class of U1, which means that you will get a minimum writing speed of 10 MB per second as well.

Video Speed Class

The Extreme and Extreme Pro SD cards have a video speed class rating at V30, which means both are capable of achieving a minimum sustained write speeds of 30 MB per second.

The Ultra SD cards does not have any video speed class rating. So, it should be less than 30 MB per second.

Transfer Speed

The maximum transfer speeds between the Extreme, Extreme Pro and Ultra SD cards are different depending on the capacity.

When you compared the same capacities, the 32GB Ultra is 30 MB per second faster (or 33.33% faster) than the 32GB Extreme and 25 MB per second faster (or 26.32% faster) than the 32GB Extreme Pro.

For the bigger capacities, the Extreme Pro comes out on top as it beats the Extreme by 20 MB per second (or 13.33% faster) and Ultra by 50 MB per second (or 41.67% faster).

You can check out maximum transfer speed specifications below:

• 16GB SanDisk Extreme: Up to 90 MB per second
• 32GB SanDisk Extreme: Up to 90 MB per second
• 64GB SanDisk Extreme: Up to 150 MB per second
• 128GB SanDisk Extreme: Up to 150 MB per second
• 256GB SanDisk Extreme: Up to 150 MB per second

• 32GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: Up to 95 MB per second
• 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: Up to 170 MB per second
• 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: Up to 170 MB per second
• 256GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: Up to 170 MB per second
• 512GB SanDisk Extreme Pro: Up to 170 MB per second
• 1TB SanDisk Extreme Pro: Up to 170 MB per second

• 32GB SanDisk Ultra: Up to 120 MB per second
• 64GB SanDisk Ultra: Up to 120 MB per second
• 128GB SanDisk Ultra: Up to 120 MB per second
• 256GB SanDisk Ultra: Up to 120 MB per second

Protection Features

All three SD cards come with the following protection features:

• Shockproof
• Temperature-proof
• Waterproof
• X-ray proof

Warranty

The SanDisk Extreme SD Card and SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card each comes with a lifetime limited manufacturer warranty. The SanDisk Ultra SD Card comes with a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty.