A1 VS A2 SD card: How to make decision on purchase?

Bulk memory cards are being portable storage options for years. No matter Micro SD card or SD card, both of them offer additional storage for devices. To use them properly, SD association has launched the standard of speed class, capacity, and system format for reference. Therefore, users can select the right card for DSLR cameras, drones, dash cam, smartphones, and the other equipment. Since people expect fast response and loading process of storage media, the category of memory cards has new version. The latest speed class has A1 and A2, which belongs to application performance class. If we do a thorough comparison on A1 VS A2 SD card, the difference and similarity of them will be clear.

Application Speed class

Application speed class is a new specification to measure the performance of launching and running Apps. Not only can SD card store maps, documents, photos, or movies, but also it can load applications and related data.

Therefore, users expect SD or Micro SD card work in a combination of random and sequential performance levels. As if the smartphones or the other equipment does not have enough internal storage, the application will fail to work properly. Thus, the demand of application memory gets stronger.

This new standard of A1 and A 2 separately conforms to SD 5.1 and SD 6.0, which provides efficient memory management. Memory cards in this specification can guarantee a faster transfer and stable running on Apps. Let’s start a detailed introduction on A1 VS A2 SD card.

A1 VS A2 SD card – Difference

The full name of A1 is Application performance class 1, A2 will be class 2 instead (An upgrade version). This speciation is applied to Micro SD and SD card, so both have this speed version. However, the speed under A1 or A2 is different from regular class, which focus on random speed.

Random speed

1. A1 Random speed
   • Minimum read speed: 1500 IOPS (inputs/outputs per second)
   • Minimum write speed: 500 IOPS
   • Minimum Sequential speed: 10 MB/s
2. A2 Random speed
   • Minimum read speed: 4000 IOPS
   • Minimum write speed: 2000 IOPS
   • Minimum Sequential speed: 10 MB/s

Obviously, the key difference between A1 and A2 SD Card is speed, A2 version is a bit faster. In addition, the cost of A2 SD card is much expensive. For instance, If the budget is limited, A1 SD card is still a good option and offers good performance in Raspberry pi or camera.

In fact, bulk memory card has various speed standards, A1 and A2 are the key one to enhance app performance. Thus, if you expect a smooth use on your android phones, Nintendo switch, or the other devices, you’d better consider A1 and A2 types.

Application

1. A1 Application
   • Can store and capture hours of Full HD video
   • A1 Micro SD is good for Android smartphones and tablets
2. A2 Application
   
   • Can do perfect loading of high-res photos and 4K UHD videos
   • A2 SD card is deal for high-end devices like DSLR cameras

Things about A1 VS A2 SD card

First of all, we have to understand cards in this rating. A1 and A2 tell the application performance, thus, it will not matter if you use SD cards not to load Apps.

For example, you use the equipment only for shooting or saving photos and videos, the key part must be minimum sequential write speed. Then the selection of A1 and A2 will be useless, you’d better switch it to V30 or UHS-3. Luckily, most SD card and micro-SD card all carry multi specs such as UHS, V90, and class speed. Therefore, you need to understand the use of devices before ordering A1 or A 2 cards.

In contrast, if you need SD card in tablets, phones, or gaming console to load games or apps. Bulk memory cards in A1 or A2 version will be an important standard. As the apps has a different way of occupying memory space, which will write lots of small chunks of data instead of a stream of sequential data. Even you choose the fastest SD card in U3 or V90, this is not beneficial to those devices.

Is A rating better than V and U speed class?

No, not really. In fact, they are a parallel rating system. Each of them is an independent system, therefore, A1 or A2 cannot replace V and U speed class.

However, one SD or Micro SD card can carry both the A1 and U3 rating or an A2 as well as V60 rating. These parameters are referring to different things, which has own advantages.

How is the link between A rating and capacity?

There is no direct affect amog A1, A2 ratings and capacity. As SD cards in different capacity may offer same speeds, the speed performance relates to its inside chips. Thus, you can find bulk SD card 16GB with A1, also can get 32GB Micro SD card with A1.

Final thoughts on A1 VS A2 SD card

A rating develops a unique speed standard, it tells input-output access per second. With the special measurement on speed, A1 or A2 SD card can perfectly support apps running. In addition, it has a minimum requirement for sequential write. It is 10MB/s same as class 10. However, it is too slow for high-end cameras. The key factor to consider is if we need run on apps on SD cards, then we can make right purchase.