Why no MiniSD slot? (what to say in defense)

[PracticalMac]

I am tired of Android users bashing me over the head with the "no SD slot" argument.

And of course the follow up punch is "have to play $100 for memory that costs $12 as a MiniSD", and the obligatory "Apple Penalty/Premium".

Obviously the valid reasons NOT to have it are: takes up hardware space, not practical to remove swap it out all the time, complexity to the iOS and Apps, and the general goal of Simplicity.

The valid reason is an easy way to transfer files (who need Samsung bump transfer???).
Alternatively, a cheaper way to increase the device memory, when one can afford it at a later date.


Now, with the recent drop in Flash Memory prices, Apples $100 premium to double the memory each iteration is more ammunition by opponents to bad light Apple.
Of course, still not stopping the long lines.

 

[MacDawg]

It isn't something most users and the average iPhone user would be interested in or use

Yes, there are some that would
But overall, not a feature that would be considered added value to most

And you are right, the hardware space it would take up to implement isn't a good trade off IMO

 

[ToutSuite]

I find it a little odd that you think of people asking this as "opponents" against whom you need a "defense." You didn't design the iPhone, you simply purchased it. If you don't think a miniSD card slot is something you need in your phone, simply state that. If you wish your phone had one but other features were more important to you that are not available on phones with a miniSD slot, state that. No need to "defend" anything.

 

[bogatyr]

Ask them how many, that use a 64GB microSD, swap cards. I would bet money that very few ever swap cards.

 

[hasanahmad]

using MiniSD in today's age is like storing your data on a DVD drive when you have a better option in cloud storage. Look at what iOS supports. MiniSD Storage on phones is ancient technology akin to storing on CDs. Its ancient. use Cloud storage

iCloud, Flickr, DropBox, Box.net and the list goes on and on. You can even access your big data through NAS drives which iOS supports

 

[jeblis]

I personally have no need for one nor do I want another hole to collect dust. Just tell them it's a feature you don't care about and if it's really important to them there are many android phones available with the feature.

 

[MR1324]

hah those android users are right.

 

[darngooddesign]

using MiniSD in today's age is like storing your data on a DVD drive when you have a better option in cloud storage. Look at what iOS supports.

iCloud, Flickr, DropBox, Box.net and the list goes on and on. You can even access your big data through NAS drives which iOS supports

That's a great way to plow through your data plan if you're not around wifi. Or on a plane without wifi.

SD card would make loading photos from your camera a cinch since the camera connection kit doesn't work on the iPhone and a lightning one doesn't exist.

 

[ewils19]

I personally would appreciate having a microSD slot but it's something I can live without.
It does seem ridiculous how much Apple charges for extra storage space but they always do so I'm used to it.

 

[DeaconGraves]

I find it a little odd that you think of people asking this as "opponents" against whom you need a "defense." You didn't design the iPhone, you simply purchased it. If you don't think a miniSD card slot is something you need in your phone, simply state that. If you wish your phone had one but other features were more important to you that are not available on phones with a miniSD slot, state that. No need to "defend" anything.

Pretty much this.

You have no reason to "defend" your purchase to anyone. Anyone who makes you come up with a defense needs to get a life.

And if you feel the need to generate defenses without solicitation, then maybe you should think about why that is the case.

 

[26139]

SD slots

I've had SD slots on 4 of my 6 laptops and have only ever used it once.

Never had it on a phone, but did have use CF/miniSD on my cameras.

Still always used the USB plug to transfer.

Like previously mentioned, it's about simplicity. How many of us have lost SD cards and usb keys? I've easily lost 10, and I'm pretty good about keeping track of stuff.

 

[JokerElite]

You don't have to defend yourself or Apple for that matter with their decision of not adding a microSD slot.

Convenience is always appreciated. I think it would be a good idea if they had it. Just because you own an iPhone doesn't mean you have to be an Apple fanboy. There's nothing to defend, just agree that it would be better if the iPhone had it. iPhones have their perks, but so do Androids.

 

[MisterDisney]

Would be nice, but not necessary. Also, my Galaxy Nexus doesn't have one either and it's the only Android phone I'd ever consider owning.

 

[darngooddesign]

...Like previously mentioned, it's about simplicity. How many of us have lost SD cards and usb keys? I've easily lost 10, and I'm pretty good about keeping track of stuff.

Do you work for the Pentagon?

 

[Meanee]

I am an android fan, and to me, SD card is just a little convenience. I can live without it. But there's a good counter.

Ask them how come HTC One X does not have Micro SD.

 

[richpuer]

most people dont even know microsd slots exist on their phones. i had a bb for 5 years and didnt even know it had that slot on it till just a year ago...when i found out about the slot, i bought a microsd card but didnt even really use it...so basically, your argument would be that its pointless and people dont even know it exists.

 

[KittiFatale]

Because it's unnecessary. We know it and they know it too. They're just making it seem like the SD card is something major and important so that they can use it against Apple because frankly, they've run out of things to trash Apple about.

 

[AppleFan91]

I just say "i use icloud" and they usually shut up

 

[lamenramen]

Apple historically has offered the highest amount of internal storage compared to competitors. Samsung SIII now has 64 gb of storage. Does anyone else?

Apple's answer to no microSD slot is, we have a huge amount of storage already if you're willing to pay for it--it's called our top end models.

I would prefer a microSD slot for sure. But I've accepted that I'm always going to buy the top end model if I can afford it. But at least that's an option instead of an impossibility. I would have much enjoyed the HTC One X if it had more than 16gb of storage, max. That's a fatal flaw to me.

The other niggle is that with the iPhone you can store > 4gb files; on the One X at least, and several other phones, you can't store a large movie file, say 5-6 gb, onto a microsd card and play it. You've got to split up the file; this kind of defeats the purpose of a microsd slot since my usage and I suspect others' is to store large media files on it. So I'm no longer "I must have a microSD slot" AS LONG AS the manufacturer will sell me 64gb or greater. And next generation it'll be 128 gb or bigger. Paying out the nose though.

 

[Krandor]

Ask them how many, that use a 64GB microSD, swap cards. I would bet money that very few ever swap cards.

I have an iPhone 5 and the SGS3. On the S3, I bought an SD card, put it in and haven't touched it and doubt I will. So other then I had to buy an SD card in addition to my phone I really don't see much difference in having the memory internal on the iPhone or on the SD card on the S3. With the SD card slot behind the battery it isn't really convenient to swap it out often anyway. I don't see myself using multiple SD cards to have "unlimited music storage".. too much hassle to swap them out and carry them around for that.

The only use case for myself I see for a second card is to maybe backup setting and stuff from the S3 to a "backup" SD card (since android doesn't have an iCloud or iTunes type backup feature) but that would be a special case and not a general purpose case and isn't needed on iOS since backups are automatic.

 

[Meanee]

I just say "i use icloud" and they usually shut up

Because iCloud works amazingly well to transfer non-itunes video to your phone, right?

 

[AppleFan91]

Because iCloud works amazingly well to transfer non-itunes video to your phone, right?

Well considering when i want to watch porn, i just open safari, I guess that doesnt matter to me much

 

[Meanee]

Well considering when i want to watch porn, i just open safari, I guess that doesnt matter to me much

And when you want to watch a movie and no internet connection available (subway), then what?

 

[KoukiFC3S]

No smartphone OS does external storage right.

On android, 99% of post ICS phones cannot put apps on the storage card.
Same thing with Windows Phone 8. Apps will not go on the card.

It makes it really confusing with the multiple directories, and very messy.

This is why even Google didn't put a micro sd slot on the nexus and nexus 7.

 

[Meanee]

No smartphone OS does external storage right.

On android, 99% of post ICS phones cannot put apps on the storage card.
Same thing with Windows Phone 8. Apps will not go on the card.

It makes it really confusing with the multiple directories, and very messy.

This is why even Google didn't put a micro sd slot on the nexus and nexus 7.

Only apps that produce some widgets, or require to be running as part of the boot process could not go to SD. Any other app works just fine. I would say in reality, about 95% of apps have no problem with being setup on SD card.