Performance:
The test system used in this review is equipped with an Intel Core i7-6700K CPU, GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-UD3 motherboard, 32GB (16GB x 2) of Crucial Ballistix Sport LT DDR4 memory, Samsung 960 PRO 512GB SSD, GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1060 WINDFORCE OC 6G graphics card and a Transcend TS-RDF5K USB 3.0 card reader. For the operating system, I installed a fresh copy of Windows 10 Enterprise.
To test the performance of Samsung's 128GB EVO Plus microSDXC card, I ran a series of benchmarks using CrystalDiskMark and ATTO Disk Benchmark. To get a feel for the "real world" performance, I also copied and pasted 1GB of random files and directories as well as a single 4GB ISO file in Windows Explorer.
CrystalDiskMark 5.1.2:
First, I ran a few quick tests using CrystalDiskMark. This benchmark tool measures the performance of a storage device by testing its sequential read and write speeds as well as its random read and write speeds using blocks 512K and 4K in size.
 Samsung EVO Plus 128GB microSDXC |
 Patriot LX Series 256GB microSDXC |
According to Samsung, the 128GB version of their EVO Plus microSDXC card is capable of reading at 100 MB/s and writing at 90 MB/s. While the card performed relatively well, it came up a bit short of these numbers in CrystalDiskMark's sequential read and write speed tests.
ATTO Disk Benchmark 2.46:
I also used ATTO Disk Benchmark to test the EVO Plus microSDXC card's sequential read and write speeds. The test was run using blocks ranging in size from 0.5KB to 8192KB and the total length set to 256MB.
 Samsung EVO Plus 128GB microSDXC |
 Patriot LX Series 256GB microSDXC |
When tested with ATTO, the EVO Plus microSDXC card's read speeds topped out at about 96 MB/s and its write speeds at 88 MB/s.
"Real World" Benchmark:
To test the "real world" performance of Samsung's EVO Plus microSDXC memory card, I copied and pasted 1GB worth of randomly generated files and directories. All of the files are between 1KB and 95MB in size and no more than five directories deep. To see how well the card handled large files, I also copied and pasted a 4GB ISO file.
| 1GB of Files | 4GB ISO File | |
| Write: | 29 seconds | 51 seconds |
| Read: | 13 seconds | 46 seconds |
Samsung's new card performed very well here, taking 29 seconds to write 1GB worth of test data and 13 seconds to read it back.
Final Thoughts:
Samsung's new EVO Plus microSDXC card is a great choice for the consumer looking for fast, yet affordable, storage for their smartphone, tablet or camera. In addition to being water, temperature, X-ray and magnet proof, this new and improved version of the EVO+ is available in capacities ranging from 32GB up to a massive 256GB. The EVO Plus is also UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) rated and is capable of delivering some impressive performance numbers. In our tests, the 128GB version of the EVO Plus was able to read at speeds as high as 96 MB/s and write at more than 87 MB/s. With performance like this, the EVO Plus gives even Samsung's own PRO series cards a serious run for their money.
Samsung's EVO Plus microSDXC card is available now in select countries and at select retailers in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. Suggested retail prices range from $30 for the 32GB model up to $100 for the 128GB model reviewed here. According to Samsung, the 256GB EVO Plus will be available soon but there is no word on price at this time.
Highs:
- Large storage capacity
- Excellent read and write speeds
- Water, temperature, x-ray and magnet proof
- Includes SD adapter
- Reasonably priced
- 10 year warranty
Lows:
- Nothing
