Why Xiaomi needs a memory card and how not to overpay
Xiaomi smartphones are among the most popular on the market due to the ratio of price and functionality, but even flagship models often come with a modest amount of internal memory. In 2026, users face a dilemma: buy a microSD card or immediately take a phone with a large drive? Prices for flash drives vary from 300 to 10,000 rubles, and the difference depends not only on volume, but also on speed, brand and even place of purchase.
In this article, we will discuss the current prices for memory cards for Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Mi models), compare brands, explain which features are really important and which ones should not be overpaid for, and learn where it is more profitable to buy microSD – in official stores, on marketplaces or from Chinese sellers, and how to avoid counterfeiting.
Spoiler: memory cards with a volume of 128 GB from proven brands (SanDisk, Samsung) in 2026 cost 1,200-2,500 rubles, but the price of 1 TB can exceed the cost of the budget smartphone Xiaomi.
Memory card prices for Xiaomi in 2026: a comparative table
Below is an up-to-date table of microSD prices of different volumes from popular brands, collected based on offers in Russian and Chinese stores (June 2026), and note that prices may vary depending on stocks, currency rates and region.
| Volume. | SanDisk (Ultra/Extreme) | Samsung (EVO Plus/Pro) | Kingston (Canvas) | Transcend (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32GB | 400–700 ₽ | 500–800 ₽ | 350–600 ₽ | 300–550 ₽ |
| 64GB | 700–1 200 ₽ | 800–1 300 ₽ | 600–1 000 ₽ | 550–900 ₽ |
| 128GB | 1 200–2 000 ₽ | 1 300–2 200 ₽ | 1 000–1 800 ₽ | 900–1 600 ₽ |
| 256GB | 2 500–4 000 ₽ | 2 800–4 500 ₽ | 2 200–3 500 ₽ | 2 000–3 200 ₽ |
| 512GB | 5 000–8 000 ₽ | 5 500–9 000 ₽ | 4 500–7 000 ₽ | 4 000–6 500 ₽ |
| 1 TB | 10 000–15 000 ₽ | 12 000–18 000 ₽ | 9 000–13 000 ₽ | 8 500–12 000 ₽ |
⚠️ Note: Prices for 1TB memory cards often exceed the cost of budget Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (for example, Redmi). 12C worth ~10 000 ₽). Before buying, evaluate whether you really need this volume – it may be more profitable to take a model of a phone with more internal memory.
Also note that cards over 256GB may be slower in older Xiaomi models (released before 2020) due to memory controller limitations.
Which memory cards are suitable for Xiaomi: compatibility and limitations
Not all Xiaomi smartphones support microSD memory expansion. For example, the flagship models of the Mi 11/12/13 series and Xiaomi 14 lack a card slot, whereas budget Redmi and POCO often have one.
If there is a slot, pay attention to the following parameters:
- 🔹 Maximum volume supported: Most modern Xiaomis work with cards up to 1TB, but older models (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) limited to 256 GB.
- 🔹 Speed class: for recording video in 4K Frequently taking photos requires a class. UHS-I U3 or V30. Class 10 is enough for music and documents.
- 🔹 Format: All Xiaomi smartphones use microSD (not to be confused with the same) SD miniSD).
- 🔹 File system: 64GB or more cards are formatted in exFAT – make sure your phone supports it (older models may need to reformat to exFAT). FAT32).
💡 Useful tip: To check compatibility, insert the card into your phone and go to Settings → Warehouse. If the card is not identified, try formatting it via your phone (the data will be deleted!).
Which Xiaomi models do not support memory cards?
Where to buy a memory card for Xiaomi: comparison of stores and risks
MicroSD prices can vary by 2-3 times depending on the place of purchase.
- 🏬 Official stores (Xiaomi Store, Svyaznoy, MTS): here the risk of running into a fake is lower, but prices are often overstated by 20-30%. ~2 000 ₽, Whereas on Wildberries, 1,500 ₽.
- 🛒 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market): the most popular option thanks to stocks and cashback. However, there is a high probability of buying a fake - check the reviews and ratings of the seller.
- 🌍 Chinese sites (AliExpress, JD.com, Taobao): prices are lower by 30-50%, but delivery takes 2-4 weeks. The risk of counterfeiting is medium - choose sellers with a rating above 98% and the number of orders >1 000.
- 🏦 Bank shares (SberMegaMarket, Tinkoff): sometimes there are sales with additional discounts on cards. EVO Plus 256GB for 2,800 ₽ 4,000 ₽.
⚠️ Note: Fake memory cards are often underpriced (e.g., SanDisk 512GB for 1,500 GB) ₽) And the "real" volume is 2-10 times smaller than the stated volume. H2testw (You can download it on the Heise website).
🔍 Check the package for hologram and serial number
📦 Buy from official sellers (SanDisk, Samsung, etc. have lists of authorized retailers)
💳 Use secure payment methods (not transfer to a card!)
📱 After purchase, test the card with the program H2testw or F3
-->
Which memory card brand to choose for Xiaomi: comparison of SanDisk, Samsung and others
The market is dominated by several brands, and their products are not only price-driven, but also reliable.
- 🟡 SanDisk (Ultra/Extreme): The most popular brand due to its high speed and reliability. Extreme line is suitable for recording. 4K-And the video, and the Ultra is for everyday tasks.
- 🔵 Samsung (EVO Plus/Pro): Optimal price/quality ratio: maps EVO Plus is often cheaper than SanDisk at similar specs.Pro lineup is designed for professionals.
- ⚫ Kingston (Canvas): budget option with good reliability. the Canvas Go! Plus line is suitable for shooting videos, but the speed is lower than that of the SanDisk Extreme.
- 🟢 Transcend (Premium): rarely faked, but recording speeds may be lower than claimed.
- 🔴 No-name brands (SmartBuy, A-Data, etc.): cheap, but high-risk low quality, suitable only for temporary storage of unimportant data.
📌 Key conclusion: For most Xiaomi users, Samsung is the best choice EVO Plus or SanDisk Ultra. If you need a speed margin (like for video), take the SanDisk Extreme or Samsung Pro.
⚠️ Attention: Class Memory Cards A1 (For example, SanDisk Ultra A1) They are optimized to run apps, but they are slower in Xiaomi than in Samsung or Google flagships. Don’t overpay for this feature unless you plan to migrate apps to the mobile app. SD.
How much does a memory card cost for specific Xiaomi models: examples
The price of a memory card depends not only on its characteristics, but also on the phone model. For example, a budget Redmi 12C card with a 128 GB UHS-I U1 class is enough, whereas for Xiaomi 13 Ultra (if it had a slot) would require a UHS-II V90 flash drive to record video in 8K.
Let’s look at the recommendations for popular models:
- 📱 Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5: optimally 128–256 GB U3/V30 (price 1 500–3 500 ₽). These models support video shooting in 4K, So you don't need to save on speed.
- 📱 Redmi 10A/12C, POCO C50: enough 64–128 GB U1/V10 (price 800–2 000 ₽). Speed cards here will not give an increase in productivity.
- 📱 Xiaomi 11T/12T (If there is a slot: to record video in 8K class V60/V90, But these cards are worth 5 000 ₽ post 256 GB.
- 📱 Old models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A2 Maximum supported volume – 256 GB, but the speed is limited UHS-I U1.
💡 A useful tip: If you often shoot video on your phone, buy a card with a margin of volume. 4K/60fps borrower ~40 GB. You may need a week's trip. 256 GB or more.
What to do if the memory card does not work in Xiaomi: common problems
Sometimes even the original memory card may not be identified in the smartphone.
- 🔌 The card is not inserted to the end: check if it sits tightly in the slot. In some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10), the slot is combined with a tray for the slot. SIM-Maps – Make sure you don’t mix up the sides.
- 🖥️ Incompatible file system: if the card is formatted in NTFS Or exFAT, and the phone only supports FAT32, You need to reformat it. You can do it over the phone. → Warehouse → Memory map → Format.
- 🐢 Slow work: if the class card U1 It stops when recording the video, replace it with U3 Also check if it's full enough, because if you don't have enough space, the speed drops.
- 🚫 Forgery: If the actual volume is less than the declared, return the card to the seller. H2testw (free).
⚠️ Warning: If your phone says "Memory card is damaged," don't format it right away -- try reading the data on your computer through a card reader first. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved by simply restarting the phone.
1. Copy all the data to the computer.
2. format the card on your phone (not on PC!).
3. Put it back in and check the speed.
This often helps to restore the original performance.
-->