So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
2) Some times when I look for help, webpage instuctions don't match my--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
late lamented Xiaomi phone. The standard seems to be Samsung, is that
right? Are there other less expensive brands that are more like
Samsung than my Xiaomi has been?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
When I saw my battery failing, I had time to back up most of what was in
my phone, but if I had stored everything possible on an SD card, I
wouldn't have needed warning or last-minute actions.
I'm surprised I didn't see suggestions to keep things in external
storage for this reason, but certainly some people already know, so why
would expensive phones be dropping SD cards?
micky wrote:
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
I've had a Nexus 5X, Pixel 3, Pixel 6 and now a Pixel 10. None of them
have microSD cards. Data is stored, encrypted, on my Pixel.
A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
Are there those that have all 3?
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
s|b wrote:
micky wrote:
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
I've had a Nexus 5X, Pixel 3, Pixel 6 and now a Pixel 10. None of them
have microSD cards. Data is stored, encrypted, on my Pixel.
I had (still have actually) a Nexus 1, it has a microSD card, but was
the only phone from Google to do so ...
On 07.08.26 16:50, Andy Burns wrote:2016> had one. The
s|b wrote:
micky wrote:
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google >>>> Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
I've had a Nexus 5X, Pixel 3, Pixel 6 and now a Pixel 10. None of them
have microSD cards. Data is stored, encrypted, on my Pixel.
I had (still have actually) a Nexus 1, it has a microSD card, but was
the only phone from Google to do so ...
Even my Nexus 5X did not have a SD slot back in 2026 and Pixels never
slots. They are out of time for more than 10 years.
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete
as a SD-card-slot.
On 2026-08-07 03:29, micky wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
SD card is not important now - I have not used one in a decade. Being
able to plugin a second sim, or an esim, (both possibilities would be nice).
That way I can travel to Canada and buy in advance an esim while in
Europe. My current phone has "A", so for my next trip I will need to
update. Next year.
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
On 2026-08-07, micky wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
What *is* an eSIM slot? Isn't the purpose of it that it's not physical?
What happens is that there are some manufacturers offering dual phisical >slots for SIMs (*), but one of which is also a microSD slot, so you
cannot use two SIMs *and* a |SD card at the same time.
Fine if you're not buing it for both features, not fine if you are. I
was able to get three-slot 2x nano-SIM (albeit DSDS) + 1 |SD from
Motorola. In other words, that's what I personally would choose: all of
them, and not a situation where you have to choose between one or the
other.
(*) (These days, nano-SIM, which I find a bit lacking given mini-SIM >compatibility would have been a plus personally... but I guess that ship
is sailing as some countries are even planning to shut down 2G
connectivity.)
What is an eSIM slot? Isn't the purpose of it that it's not physical?
Nuno Silva wrote:
What is an eSIM slot? Isn't the purpose of it that it's not physical?
There *are* physical eSIMs, which can be used if your phone doesn't
natively support eSIMs, or doesn't support loading as many eSIMs as you require, e.g.
<https://9esim.com>
I'll look at Motorola, but you have 2x nano sim and 1 SD, and what I
want is 1 sim, 1 esim, and 1 SD. Not the same thing.
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
2) Some times when I look for help, webpage instuctions don't match my--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
late lamented Xiaomi phone. The standard seems to be Samsung, is that
right? Are there other less expensive brands that are more like
Samsung than my Xiaomi has been?
Nuno Silva wrote:
What is an eSIM slot? Isn't the purpose of it that it's not physical?
There *are* physical eSIMs, which can be used if your phone doesn't
natively support eSIMs, or doesn't support loading as many eSIMs as you >require, e.g.
<https://9esim.com>
micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
[...]
I'll look at Motorola, but you have 2x nano sim and 1 SD, and what I
want is 1 sim, 1 esim, and 1 SD. Not the same thing.
See Andy's post about buying a *physical* 'SIM' which can function as
an eSIM (<https://www.9esim.com/en>).
That way, the Motorola can do what you want.
N.B. The 9esim.com site does not mention the physical size of the eSIM
card. It looks like a mini-size which can be stripped down to a nano
size, but, for some strange reason, the website does not say so.
BTW, *why* do you want a (Micro) SD card slot? Please no vagueries,
but specifics. *How* do you use the SD card?
[...]--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 9 Aug 2026 09:49:38 +0100, Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
What gets me is seeing people changing their sim on the airplane. It's
hard enough to find one if you drop it in your kitchen, but I can't even
find my shoes on the plane. I'd sooner be 10 minutes without a phone
after I get off the plane. Or change before getting on the plane. Those waiting areas are usually pretty simple and clean. Hard to lose
something.
micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
[...]
I'll look at Motorola, but you have 2x nano sim and 1 SD, and what I
want is 1 sim, 1 esim, and 1 SD. Not the same thing.
See Andy's post about buying a *physical* 'SIM' which can function as
an eSIM (<https://www.9esim.com/en>).
That way, the Motorola can do what you want.
N.B. The 9esim.com site does not mention the physical size of the eSIM
card. It looks like a mini-size which can be stripped down to a nano
size, but, for some strange reason, the website does not say so.
BTW, *why* do you want a (Micro) SD card slot? Please no vagueries,
but specifics. *How* do you use the SD card?
[...]--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
On 2026-08-09 20:21, micky wrote:
In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 9 Aug 2026 09:49:38 +0100, Andy Burns
<usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
...
What gets me is seeing people changing their sim on the airplane. It's
hard enough to find one if you drop it in your kitchen, but I can't even
find my shoes on the plane. I'd sooner be 10 minutes without a phone
after I get off the plane. Or change before getting on the plane. Those
waiting areas are usually pretty simple and clean. Hard to lose
something.
The instructions of the SIMs I got in Spain for USA-Canada-Mexico said
not to insert the card while in Spain,
but do it while at the plane over
the ocean,
or after landing.
Yes, losing the card on the plane stopped me doing the job there. Maybe >doing it all inside a transparent plastic bag.
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
When I saw my battery failing, I had time to back up most of what was in
my phone, but if I had stored everything possible on an SD card, I
wouldn't have needed warning or last-minute actions.
I'm surprised I didn't see suggestions to keep things in external
storage for this reason, but certainly some people already know, so why
would expensive phones be dropping SD cards?
2) Some times when I look for help, webpage instuctions don't match my
late lamented Xiaomi phone. The standard seems to be Samsung, is that
right? Are there other less expensive brands that are more like
Samsung than my Xiaomi has been?
On Fri, 7 Aug 2026 17:27:22 +0200, J||rg Lorenz wrote:
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete
as a SD-card-slot.
I have one in my (dual SIM) Pixel 10. It allows me to have 2 numbers
active at the same time. A physical SIM and an eSIM. As I understood, I
can add other eSIMs, but only 1 eSIM can be active.
On Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29 -0400, micky wrote:
A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
Are there those that have all 3?
My Sony Xperia 1 VI has all 3, and AFAIK all Xperia models have them,
also the cheaper ones.
The nice thing about Sony phones is that they have no punch hole or
other 'island' in the screen to make room for the camera.
In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 9 Aug 2026 22:31:46 +0200, "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
On 2026-08-09 20:21, micky wrote:
In comp.mobile.android, on Sun, 9 Aug 2026 09:49:38 +0100, Andy Burns
<usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
...
What gets me is seeing people changing their sim on the airplane. It's
hard enough to find one if you drop it in your kitchen, but I can't even >>> find my shoes on the plane. I'd sooner be 10 minutes without a phone
after I get off the plane. Or change before getting on the plane. Those >>> waiting areas are usually pretty simple and clean. Hard to lose
something.
The instructions of the SIMs I got in Spain for USA-Canada-Mexico said
not to insert the card while in Spain,
What happens if you do it in Spain? It explodes? On your next trip, do
it while you're in Spain and report here, if you're physically able.
but do it while at the plane over
the ocean,
ROTFL
or after landing.
Okay.
Yes, losing the card on the plane stopped me doing the job there. Maybe
doing it all inside a transparent plastic bag.
That might work, although methods like that work for the middle part, in
this case, changing the sim, but getting the sim into the bag at the
start and the removed one out of the bag is the kind of part where
people, namely me, would mess up.
Another law is that when you drop something, it easily goes 5 times as
far as you would think it would, maybe 10. It's amazing.
In comp.mobile.android, on 9 Aug 2026 14:33:12 GMT, Frank Slootweg ><this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
[...]
I'll look at Motorola, but you have 2x nano sim and 1 SD, and what I
want is 1 sim, 1 esim, and 1 SD. Not the same thing.
See Andy's post about buying a *physical* 'SIM' which can function as
an eSIM (<https://www.9esim.com/en>).
That way, the Motorola can do what you want.
N.B. The 9esim.com site does not mention the physical size of the eSIM >>card. It looks like a mini-size which can be stripped down to a nano
size, but, for some strange reason, the website does not say so.
I wrote to them and asked. Hard to believe they don't sell nano-size.
Maybe they copied their picture from some stockpile of pictures and >photoshopped their logo onto it. Also hard to believe.
I also asked if I could get it in less than 2 weeks by buying the one
made in the UK. 2 weeks is soon enough if it really comes in 2 weeks!
Hmmmm. "All orders ship from China with tracking.... Estimated delivery--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
time is approximately 2 weeks." Maybe someone wrote that before they
started making some in the UK, same guy who photoshopped the picture.
Still, I'd better buy it tonight or tomorrow, but I haven't even picked
out a phone yet! LOL
BTW, *why* do you want a (Micro) SD card slot? Please no vagueries,
but specifics. *How* do you use the SD card?
Good question. Originally it was because the phone came with so little >storage one needed more storage, but now it will probalby have 128Gig.
It's a shame I can't see how much storage I had used on the old phone,
but I'm pretty sure it wasn't half full. I live in the PC and only use
the phone when I'm out, doing errands. I'm out a lot when traveling but
I take the laptop with me too and rely on it.
I'll have to think some more to give the current reasons.
I did do a lot of backilng up kind of stuff when I saw the battery was >failing, but I could have done some more. I was so confident that I
would fix it. Maybe I'll finally learn some humility. Nahhh.
[...]
Another law is that when you drop something, it easily goes 5 times as
far as you would think it would, maybe 10. It's amazing.
It is.
Once, when I was young, I dropped the "needle" (diamond point) of a
record player, which I needed in order to buy a new one. I had to find
it, or else. I did find it, inside the joint between two tiles in the >terrazzo floor. I had to be very methodical, tile by tile, inch by inch.
My father had a trick: sweep the floor. Can't do that in a plane, though.
--
Cheers, Carlos.
ESEfc-Efc+, EUEfc-Efc|;
I searched for 9esim on Amazon, and I iddn't find them yet
Siard, 2026-08-07 16:57:
The nice thing about Sony phones is that they have no punch hole or
other 'island' in the screen to make room for the camera.
No - instead they have an additional black border at the top and bottom
of the display.
And Sony only provides updates for less than 5 years. The Xperia 1 VI
was released in June 2024 and will by "end-of-life" in April 2028.
It would look old-fashioned if those borders were very wide. But they are just wide enough to make room for camera, loudspeakers, microphone. Very stylish, I like this much better than those ugly punchholes.Their website doesn't do them any favours, the only photo showing the
That used to be the only disadvantage of Sony phones. But AFAIK, it has improved with the latest 1 VIII.
...
It's 12 hours later in Peking, and they answered me at 9:45 tomorrow
morning. They said:
Hi
You can buy it on Amazon, and it will be shipped from Amazon UK
warehouse.
found
https://www.amazon.com/EIOTCLUB-eSIM-Card-Reader-Bundle/dp/B0DLNBXCCW
micky, 2026-08-10 08:20:But micky said 2 week delivery from china if using their own shop, next
[...]> So I searched for 9esim on Amazon, and I iddn't find them yet but I
found
https://www.amazon.com/EIOTCLUB-eSIM-Card-Reader-Bundle/dp/B0DLNBXCCW
They have their own shop, no need to use Amazon:
<https://www.9esim.com/en/shop>
micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> Wrote in message:
...
It's 12 hours later in Peking, and they answered me at 9:45 tomorrow morning. They said:
Hi
You can buy it on Amazon, and it will be shipped from Amazon UK warehouse.
According to their website there are 2 versions of this thing - V0
and V3, with different internal OSes, one made in CN and one in
UK. They might have different compatibility.
If it were me I'd buy the later one.
Dave Royal a |-crit:
According to their website there are 2 versions of this thing - V0
and V3, with different internal OSes, one made in CN and one in
UK. They might have different compatibility.
If it were me I'd buy the later one.
On amazon.fr, there are 3 versions :
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0DWSMSCT1
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0FFMJPQB6
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0GT8S5WMG
Looking at the comments, 9esim V3 seems the best of them.
micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> Wrote in message:
...
It's 12 hours later in Peking, and they answered me at 9:45 tomorrow
morning. They said:
Hi
You can buy it on Amazon, and it will be shipped from Amazon UK
warehouse.
According to their website there are 2 versions of this thing - V0
and V3, with different internal OSes, one made in CN and one in
UK. They might have different compatibility.
If it were me I'd buy the later one.
So I searched for 9esim on Amazon, and I iddn't find them yet but I
found
https://www.amazon.com/EIOTCLUB-eSIM-Card-Reader-Bundle/dp/B0DLNBXCCW
which seems to be the same thing and they are offering to deliver it
TODAY between 5 and 10, on orders over $25. This bundle sells for
$24.90. I wonder if I can overpay by 20 cents and get it today, becuse
what else do they have to put it over 25. Their store only has 4 things
and they are all sim cards.
4 stars on 59 votes. Some of the complaints are.
3-star It does work on my Samsung S10e. However, it does NOT work with
eSIM from vendor other than EIOTCLUB, like bcengi for example. I have
not tried other eSIM brands, so not sure that is the limitation or not.
9esim sounded like it worked with everyone that met some standard
Another 3-star review is complicated and says it's very finicky and you
have to read the whole thing to see how complicated it is.
We're showing limited number of reviews. If you want to see more
reviews, send a request.
Your request to see more reviews has been sent. You'll receive an email >within 5 business days.
Huh!
It had 10% 1-star and 3% 2-star but only showed 8 reviews out of 59
global ratings (many of which might have had no text.)
I still haven't found the product we're looking for. They could have
included the link and I wouldn't have known about the competition.--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
Searching Amazon on physical esim found more competition, but not 9esim.
Arno Welzel wrote:
micky, 2026-08-10 08:20:But micky said 2 week delivery from china if using their own shop, next
[...]> So I searched for 9esim on Amazon, and I iddn't find them yet but I >>> found
https://www.amazon.com/EIOTCLUB-eSIM-Card-Reader-Bundle/dp/B0DLNBXCCW
They have their own shop, no need to use Amazon:
<https://www.9esim.com/en/shop>
day dispatch from uk if using amazon ...
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky ><NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
When I saw my battery failing, I had time to back up most of what was in
my phone, but if I had stored everything possible on an SD card, I
wouldn't have needed warning or last-minute actions.
I'm surprised I didn't see suggestions to keep things in external
storage for this reason, but certainly some people already know, so why
would expensive phones be dropping SD cards?
On 07.08.26 15:15, micky wrote:
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky
<NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
Yes. SD cards are technically obsolete. Albeit there millions of users
that do not know this fact and are even less prepared to accept it.
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete
as a SD-card-slot.
On Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:15:22 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
wrote:
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky >><NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model >>>that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google >>Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
When I saw my battery failing, I had time to back up most of what was in
my phone, but if I had stored everything possible on an SD card, I
wouldn't have needed warning or last-minute actions.
I'm surprised I didn't see suggestions to keep things in external
storage for this reason, but certainly some people already know, so why >>would expensive phones be dropping SD cards?
Yes, I wondered the same thing.
My current phone keeps telling me that storage is getting low, and has >removed several apps that I used to use, so I've been looking at
prices of new ones, and was rather to see that the ones with lower >specifications often had a higher price.
On Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:15:22 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
wrote:
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky
<NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
When I saw my battery failing, I had time to back up most of what was in
my phone, but if I had stored everything possible on an SD card, I
wouldn't have needed warning or last-minute actions.
I'm surprised I didn't see suggestions to keep things in external
storage for this reason, but certainly some people already know, so why
would expensive phones be dropping SD cards?
Yes, I wondered the same thing.
My current phone keeps telling me that storage is getting low, and has removed several apps that I used to use, so I've been looking at
prices of new ones, and was rather to see that the ones with lower specifications often had a higher price.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
SD card is not important now - I have not used one in a decade.
BTW, *why* do you want a (Micro) SD card slot? Please no vagueries,
but specifics. *How* do you use the SD card?
I have to think about this to give you a good answer. I intend to get
back to you on this.
2) Some times when I look for help, webpage instuctions don't match my
late lamented Xiaomi phone. The standard seems to be Samsung, is that
right? Are there other less expensive brands that are more like
Samsung than my Xiaomi has been?
Samsung is not "the standard" in any way. It is just one of the
manufacturers with the largest market share. But Xiaomi is also very
popular nowadays and there is also Google itself with their "Pixel" series.
SD card is not important now - I have not used one in a decade
On a tablet is different, mine has a SD card.
micky, 2026-08-07 15:15:
In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29:34 -0400, micky
<NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
Yes, really.
When I saw my battery failing, I had time to back up most of what was in
my phone, but if I had stored everything possible on an SD card, I
wouldn't have needed warning or last-minute actions.
A backup should be done on a regular basis and not only if the battery
is about to fail.
Treat your smartphone like your laptop or PC: you also
shouldn't keep important data only on your laptop or PC without any
backup since internal storage can always fail at any time and you can
delete or modify data by accident as well.
I'm surprised I didn't see suggestions to keep things in external
storage for this reason, but certainly some people already know, so why
would expensive phones be dropping SD cards?
Because internal UFS-based memory is faster and manufacturers can save a
bit money.
2) Some times when I look for help, webpage instuctions don't match my
late lamented Xiaomi phone. The standard seems to be Samsung, is that
right? Are there other less expensive brands that are more like
Samsung than my Xiaomi has been?
Samsung is not "the standard" in any way. It is just one of the
manufacturers with the largest market share. But Xiaomi is also very
popular nowadays and there is also Google itself with their "Pixel" series.
micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
So, I need a new phone and 1) some that I'm looking at have some model
that take A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
The simplest Samsung Galaxy - A17 - can do this.
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
You might have to look up Samsung's site if the A17 has eSIM
functionality. If not, see my post about Andy's post on how to buy a >*physical* eSIM card.
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
Are there those that have all 3?
Yes, Motorola by buying an eSIM card, see my other post.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.22) Some times when I look for help, webpage instuctions don't match my
late lamented Xiaomi phone. The standard seems to be Samsung, is that
right? Are there other less expensive brands that are more like
Samsung than my Xiaomi has been?
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google
Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
Yes. SD cards are technically obsolete. Albeit there millions of users
that do not know this fact and are even less prepared to accept it.
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete
as a SD-card-slot.
Why are they "obsolete"?
Is there a good reason that benefits users, or is it just that the manufacurers can sell you less functionality for more money?
Carlos E.R. wrote:
SD card is not important now - I have not used one in a decade
Neither have I, but I would likely have used one if I had the option on
a Pixel.
On a tablet is different, mine has a SD card.
so does mine, but it has 2x the storage of my phone, so no need yet.
On Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:29 -0400, micky wrote:
A) a sim and either a second sim or an SD card. or
B) a sim and either a second sim or an Esim.
Are there those that have all 3?
My Sony Xperia 1 VI has all 3, and AFAIK all Xperia models have them,
also the cheaper ones.
Do you know why it's called Motorola? It was originally a brand name
for the radios the company made in 1930 for motor cars. The -ola on the
end comes from Victrola.
The Galvin Manufacturing Company was renamed Motorola in 1947.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola#History
Post World War II includes
In 1969, Neil Armstrong spoke the famous words from the Moon on a
Motorola transceiver: "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap
for mankind".[22]
In 1973, Motorola demonstrated the first hand-held portable
telephone.[23]
On 8/10/26 10:21 AM, micky wrote:
Do you know why it's called Motorola? It was originally a brand name
for the radios the company made in 1930 for motor cars. The -ola on the
end comes from Victrola.
The Galvin Manufacturing Company was renamed Motorola in 1947.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola#History
Post World War II includes
In 1969, Neil Armstrong spoke the famous words from the Moon on a
Motorola transceiver: "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap >>for mankind".[22]
In 1973, Motorola demonstrated the first hand-held portable
telephone.[23]
I don't see it in the article but Motorola had 3 plants in the Phoenix AZ
area in the 1960s. I worked for the one in Scottsdale AZ as a test
technician for 6 years. It was called the Military Electronics Division. We built military and space stuff. Some of it is still on the moon...
Did you know that Neil Armstrong went to the moon and back without
getting hurt, and then ripped the tip of his finger off when his wedding
ring caught on a wheel of his farm truck?
He found the missing finger part, packed it in ice, and microsurgeons
sewed it back on, I read.
Microsurgeons are very, very small surgeons.
On 8/10/26 11:55 AM, micky wrote:
Did you know that Neil Armstrong went to the moon and back without
getting hurt, and then ripped the tip of his finger off when his wedding >>ring caught on a wheel of his farm truck?
He found the missing finger part, packed it in ice, and microsurgeons
sewed it back on, I read.
Microsurgeons are very, very small surgeons.
I suspect they felt small because Neil gave them the finger...
Well, no more Xiaomi for a while. I got Motorola. More details after it >ocomes and I try it, but some reviews said it had very few deviations
from vanilla Android. So I should be able to find the settings etc.
that you guys or online articles tell me to use.
For the record, I was lossing interest in the SD card, but I had a Redmi
note 8 pro, and they now have Redmi Note 17 Pro. I tried 17, 15, 14,
13, and maybe back to 12 before I found one that woud use an SD card.
My current phone keeps telling me that storage is getting low, and has
removed several apps that I used to use, so I've been looking at
prices of new ones, and was rather to see that the ones with lower
specifications often had a higher price.
Try to outsource to Google cloud whatever you can. Think also what
happens in case of loss or theft.
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
It is also my experience that such cloud services become inaccessible
unless you continually "upgrade" your software and hardware,
Cloud storage is OK for the rich, but not for ordinary folk.
On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:04:26 +0200, J||rg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net>
wrote:
My current phone keeps telling me that storage is getting low, and has
removed several apps that I used to use, so I've been looking at
prices of new ones, and was rather to see that the ones with lower
specifications often had a higher price.
Try to outsource to Google cloud whatever you can. Think also what
happens in case of loss or theft.
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
It is also my experience that such cloud services become inaccessible
unless you continually "upgrade" your software and hardware, which
nowadays often means that you never end up paying for it. Cloud
storage is OK for the rich, but not for ordinary folk.
I now use a batch file to copy my Dropbox folder from my desktop to
my laptop, from where I think it may go to the cloud, but they could
stop supporting that at any time too. Same thing happened with
Evernote. You just start getting used to using one of those things
when it stops working, and they say you just need to move on and leave
your data behind. And a few thousand bucks, of course, every month or
every year or whatever.
On 8/10/26 9:33 PM, Steve Hayes wrote:
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
I've used Google Drive (if that's what you mean by Google cloud) for many
years now with not one problem. I wish some of my other services were as
reliable.
It is also my experience that such cloud services become inaccessible
unless you continually "upgrade" your software and hardware,
My 7 year old phone is my oldest OS at Android 12 and Google Drive works
just fine on it.
Cloud storage is OK for the rich, but not for ordinary folk.
Yup. My 2 bucks a month (US) to Google for 1G is really straining my
budget... 8-O
On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:04:26 +0200, J||rg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net>
wrote:
My current phone keeps telling me that storage is getting low, and has
removed several apps that I used to use, so I've been looking at
prices of new ones, and was rather to see that the ones with lower
specifications often had a higher price.
Try to outsource to Google cloud whatever you can. Think also what
happens in case of loss or theft.
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
It is also my experience that such cloud services become inaccessible
unless you continually "upgrade" your software and hardware, which
nowadays often means that you never end up paying for it. Cloud
storage is OK for the rich, but not for ordinary folk.
I now use a batch file to copy my Dropbox folder from my desktop to
my laptop, from where I think it may go to the cloud, but they could
stop supporting that at any time too. Same thing happened with
Evernote. You just start getting used to using one of those things
when it stops working, and they say you just need to move on and leave
your data behind. And a few thousand bucks, of course, every month or
every year or whatever.
Most old users here are completely centred on their $200 devices for
vital services which is not particularly intelligent. Devices are just
means to access data and services.
In comp.mobile.android, on Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:43:32 +0100, Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
But this info is now mostly for other readers. Since this all started
I've bought a phone, Motorola as suggested, that has sim, esim, and SD
slot. I'm half-convinced I don't need the SD, but I hate this part,
where there are hundreds of models and I have to pick one.
It also has wirelss charging, but at 30% the rate of wired charging.
OTOH, what's the rush? Now I have to get a wireless charger, which will
use somem current ALL the time the laptop is on or sleeping, or off if
you use the right jack, unlike a USB cable which uses nothing when
nothing is plugged into it.
Steve Hayes, 2026-08-11 06:33:
On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:04:26 +0200, J||rg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net>
wrote:
My current phone keeps telling me that storage is getting low, and has >>>> removed several apps that I used to use, so I've been looking at
prices of new ones, and was rather to see that the ones with lower
specifications often had a higher price.
Try to outsource to Google cloud whatever you can. Think also what
happens in case of loss or theft.
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
It is also my experience that such cloud services become inaccessible
unless you continually "upgrade" your software and hardware, which
nowadays often means that you never end up paying for it. Cloud
storage is OK for the rich, but not for ordinary folk.
You can backup cloud storage as well - just synchronize Google Drive (or
any other server you use) with you local computer and make a backup from
that in multiple versions, so you can go back in time, if a recent
backup shows missing or damaged files.
And about "for the rich": Hetzner offers a private Nextcloud instance
with 1 TB of storage for less than 5 EUR per month:
<https://www.hetzner.com/storage/storage-share/>
Using DAVx5 you can synchronize all contacts and calendar entries with
that and FolderSync also includes automatic sync with Nextcloud backends
for files - for example when you take a picture, this can get uploaded automatically when you are back to a WiFi network or even immediately,
if your data plan is ok for that.
Yes, a complete device backup would be better, but this is not possible
with Android, you can only enable Google backup (without Photos etc. to
save storage) which will save *some* (but not all) apps with their
settings and data stored on the device.
In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete, knows nothing about them.
Carlos E.R. wrote:
If you had to choose, which is more valuable, an SD slot or an esim
slot?
SD card is not important now - I have not used one in a decade.
More than half of all current & recent Android phones have sd slots.
Why do you think 60% of all current/recent Android phones have sd slots?
Because they do things that cannot be done even with other methods.
Yes, most of those things can be bought back by desperate consumers.
At a huge cost, where always, the consumer pays for the lost functionality.
In fact, the consumer pays through the nose to replace that sd slot.
Which is why it's absurd that anyone would claim to say they're obsolete.
And yet, there is still one thing sd card slots allow the user that is impossible to buy back any other way, even paying through the nose for initial extra storage and never-ending cloud subscriptions to replace
"some" of the lost functionality of the missing sd slot (saving the OEM
about fifty cents).
portable storage
(private, offline)
In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete, knows nothing about them.
As we can use eSIMs instead, which is the advantage?
Steve Hayes wrote:
Google ASI says that "flagship phones (like Samsung Galaxy S or Google >>>> Pixel series) have largely dropped microSD card slots...." Really?
Yes. SD cards are technically obsolete. Albeit there millions of users
that do not know this fact and are even less prepared to accept it.
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete >>> as a SD-card-slot.
Why are they "obsolete"?
Is there a good reason that benefits users, or is it just that the
manufacurers can sell you less functionality for more money?
I agree with Steve that saying sd cards are obsolete is patently absurd.
The *only* reason sd slots aren't put in 40% of Androids is to make money.
They make money because the consumer must desperately replace the lost functionality, usually hugely larger initial storage costs overall.
But also by incessant subscriptions to replace the lost functionality.
In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete, knows nothing about them.
On 2026-08-10 19:24, Maria Sophia wrote:
In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete, knows nothing about them.
As we can use eSIMs instead, which is the advantage?
Maybe I don't understand the purpose of an esim, as it's not storage.
However nowadays memory is cheap enough
(at least it was before the AI hype started), that even mainstreamWhen I bought my Pixel 8a, I was undecided between upgrading to 256GB
devices got a decent amount of memory built in which is enough for
many users.
I am considering getting a Redmi 15c or a Redmi A7 Pro, both of which,
I am told, make provision for an SD card. The 15c appears to have a
better specification than the A7 Pro, but costs less. I'm not sure how
that works.
There are a few other phones on my list to consider, but all of them
are said have provision for an SD card. If they don't have that, they
don't get on my list.
I'm not sure of the difference between a SIM and an ESIM, but had
assumed that an ESIM replaced the physical card. From what I read
here, it doesn't. Does it matter?
And even if you would only use Google Drive - they charge around 2 USD
per month for 1 TB. So one year is around 24 USD. Even in 10 years you
only pay 240 USD. That is cheaper than some of the 1 TB SD cards
available and even before the AI crisis, the prices for SD cards were
not much cheaper.
Yes, rates are lower for the first 3 months (or year if paying
yearly), but nowhere near 2 USB per month for 1 TB.
On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:20:10 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
I am considering getting a Redmi 15c or a Redmi A7 Pro, both of which,
I am told, make provision for an SD card. The 15c appears to have a
better specification than the A7 Pro, but costs less. I'm not sure how
that works.
Xiaomi Redmi A7 Pro ><https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_a7_pro_5g-14616.php>
Xiaomi Redmi 15C
<https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_15c_5g-14039.php>
There are a few other phones on my list to consider, but all of them
are said have provision for an SD card. If they don't have that, they
don't get on my list.
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
I'm not sure of the difference between a SIM and an ESIM, but had
assumed that an ESIM replaced the physical card.
From what I read
here, it doesn't. Does it matter?
A7 Pro has got Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM, same with 15C. I had never heard of
a physical eSIM, but apparantly it's a thing. A (non physical) eSIM can
be handy when you travel abroad. You could easily buy one online and you >don't have to wait until it arrives via snail mail.
There are a few other phones on my list to consider, but all of them
are said have provision for an SD card. If they don't have that, they
don't get on my list.
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
Maybe I don't understand the purpose of an esim, as it's not storage.
Same as a SIM, it identifies you to a mobile provider for access to
their network, but without needing a physical SIM swap (except in the special cases as discussed of a physical eSIM).
I've tended to stick with physical SIMs as they can be moved between phones.
Why are they "obsolete"?
Is there a good reason that benefits users, or is it just that the
manufacurers can sell you less functionality for more money?
I agree with Steve that saying sd cards are obsolete is patently absurd.
SD cards in mobile devices are mostly there because in the past memory
was quite expensive and many people did not need much storage.
So it was
better to sell devices cheaper with only little memory built in and
offer the option to extend this using SD cards.
However nowadays memory is cheap enough (at least it was before the AI
hype started), that even mainstream devices got a decent amount of
memory built in which is enough for many users. And the more expensive
models now have options for 256 or even 512 GB built in - for example a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL comes with 512 GB. And this is not slow SD card
memory but UFS storage which is way faster and way more reliable.
The *only* reason sd slots aren't put in 40% of Androids is to make money.
Only if people buy additional online storage *only* for this reason. But
even *with* an SD card I want to have a backup of my data anyway and I
do *not* want to store 300 GB of pictures on my phone, just because I
used it to take the pictures.
And no, I don't want to pull the card to do a backup every day or to
copy pictures from it.
So the backup is done online or via USB and there is no need to have a removable SD card. Also 128 GB built in memory in my current phone are totally fine for me to keep all data I need even when I am offline, like OSMAnd maps or my music collection for traveling or daily commute.
They make money because the consumer must desperately replace the lost
functionality, usually hugely larger initial storage costs overall.
I never had to "desperately" replace anything.
It works fine for me as
it is. I've been running my own Nextcloud server for nearly 10 years now
- all backups of my phone go to hat server and all pictures I have taken
with the phone, right away after I have taken them. Also only the last 6 months of pictures will stay on the phone. If I want to review older
pictures I can use the "Memories" app which is available for Nextcloud
as well as for Android. Since I have an unlimited data plan and 5G
speeds most of the time I also don't care if "Memories" needs to
download images when browsing galleries.
The Nextcloud server is also fully backed up daily with a history of 6
months - so I can access every single day as a folder to see older
versions of a file as well.
And even if you would only use Google Drive - they charge around 2 USD
per month for 1 TB. So one year is around 24 USD. Even in 10 years you
only pay 240 USD. That is cheaper than some of the 1 TB SD cards
available and even before the AI crisis, the prices for SD cards were
not much cheaper.
But also by incessant subscriptions to replace the lost functionality.
Well - backup storage is never for free. Even if you only do local
backups at home you still need some kind of storage - ideally not only
one single harddisc, but multiple copies in case one fails.
In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete, knows nothing about them.
In my opinion *some* people may still want to use them.
But for many
people it is indeed obsolete - otherwise devices without SD card slot wouldn't sell and most people would only choose devices which still have
an SD card slot. But it seems, other aspects are more important for many users.
My wife has a Xiaomi phone with 128 GB built in and an SD card slot -
she did never put an SD card into it.
You need to look up "opportunity cost". It's clear you don't understand it.
Did you know that Neil Armstrong went to the moon and back without
getting hurt, and then ripped the tip of his finger off when his wedding
ring caught on a wheel of his farm truck?
He found the missing finger part, packed it in ice, and microsurgeons
sewed it back on, I read.
Microsurgeons are very, very small surgeons.
On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:20:10 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
I am considering getting a Redmi 15c or a Redmi A7 Pro, both of which,
I am told, make provision for an SD card. The 15c appears to have a
better specification than the A7 Pro, but costs less. I'm not sure how
that works.
Xiaomi Redmi A7 Pro ><https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_a7_pro_5g-14616.php>
Xiaomi Redmi 15C
<https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_15c_5g-14039.php>
There are a few other phones on my list to consider, but all of them
are said have provision for an SD card. If they don't have that, they
don't get on my list.
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
I'm not sure of the difference between a SIM and an ESIM, but had
assumed that an ESIM replaced the physical card. From what I read
here, it doesn't. Does it matter?
A7 Pro has got Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM, same with 15C. I had never heard of
a physical eSIM, but apparantly it's a thing. A (non physical) eSIM can
be handy when you travel abroad. You could easily buy one online and you >don't have to wait until it arrives via snail mail.
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
[...]
And even if you would only use Google Drive - they charge around 2 USD
per month for 1 TB. So one year is around 24 USD. Even in 10 years you
only pay 240 USD. That is cheaper than some of the 1 TB SD cards
available and even before the AI crisis, the prices for SD cards were
not much cheaper.
AJL's post triggered me to have a look at the current Google Drive
options and rates and AFAICT, the 1TB option doesn't exist anymore and
the rates are quite a bit higher now.
For example 400GB is already EUR 4.99 per month and 2TB (1TB isn't mentioned) is EUR 9.99 per month. I assume the rates in USD will be
about the same.
Yes, rates are lower for the first 3 months (or year if paying
yearly), but nowhere near 2 USB per month for 1 TB.
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm
not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's >storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
Arno Welzel wrote:
Why are they "obsolete"?
Is there a good reason that benefits users, or is it just that the
manufacurers can sell you less functionality for more money?
I agree with Steve that saying sd cards are obsolete is patently absurd.
SD cards in mobile devices are mostly there because in the past memory
was quite expensive and many people did not need much storage.
This is dead wrong for two reasons, one of which is 60% of all recent/current Androids have the sd card slot for good reasons.
The other reason is people who are desperate for "more storage" have plenty of ways that MARKETING provided to them for them to pay for it monthly.
better to sell devices cheaper with only little memory built in and
offer the option to extend this using SD cards.
I realize Arno does just fine w/o a portable memory slot, but I'm assuming he also paid "more than he would have" in his desperation to replace the lost functionality, even as I'm sure Arno doesn't realize that's what he did.
Just like Andy said he was forced to decide between 256GB & 128GB of the expensive internal storage, Arno was faced with the same dilemma because
his phone only comes with the far-more-expensive internal storage.
AJL's post triggered me to have a look at the current Google Drive
options and rates and AFAICT, the 1TB option doesn't exist anymore and
the rates are quite a bit higher now.
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:03:21 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm
not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's >storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
And if it were encrypted, how easy would it be to unencrypt if I
copied it to my computer?
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm
not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:03:21 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm
not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's
storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
And if it were encrypted, how easy would it be to unencrypt if I
copied it to my computer?
Andy Burns wrote:
Maybe I don't understand the purpose of an esim, as it's not storage.
Same as a SIM, it identifies you to a mobile provider for access to
their network, but without needing a physical SIM swap (except in the
special cases as discussed of a physical eSIM).
I've tended to stick with physical SIMs as they can be moved between phones.
Thanks.
That's why I didn't understand Carlos' response of...
"As we can use eSIMs instead, which is the advantage?"
When I had said...
"In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete,
knows nothing about them."
Maybe he meant that if there is a dual-purpose slot, that he'd rather use
the physical slot for an SIM (but not an E-SIM) instead of an sd card.
Maria Sophia, 2026-08-10 19:24:
Steve Hayes wrote:
They make money because the consumer must desperately replace the lost
functionality, usually hugely larger initial storage costs overall.
I never had to "desperately" replace anything. It works fine for me as
it is. I've been running my own Nextcloud server for nearly 10 years now
- all backups of my phone go to hat server and all pictures I have taken
with the phone, right away after I have taken them. Also only the last 6 months of pictures will stay on the phone. If I want to review older
pictures I can use the "Memories" app which is available for Nextcloud
as well as for Android. Since I have an unlimited data plan and 5G
speeds most of the time I also don't care if "Memories" needs to
download images when browsing galleries.
The Nextcloud server is also fully backed up daily with a history of 6
months - so I can access every single day as a folder to see older
versions of a file as well.
And even if you would only use Google Drive - they charge around 2 USD
per month for 1 TB. So one year is around 24 USD. Even in 10 years you
only pay 240 USD. That is cheaper than some of the 1 TB SD cards
available and even before the AI crisis, the prices for SD cards were
not much cheaper.
But also by incessant subscriptions to replace the lost functionality.
Well - backup storage is never for free. Even if you only do local
backups at home you still need some kind of storage - ideally not only
one single harddisc, but multiple copies in case one fails.
In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete, knows nothing about them.
In my opinion *some* people may still want to use them. But for many
people it is indeed obsolete - otherwise devices without SD card slot wouldn't sell and most people would only choose devices which still have
an SD card slot. But it seems, other aspects are more important for many users.
My wife has a Xiaomi phone with 128 GB built in and an SD card slot -
she did never put an SD card into it.
A7 Pro has got Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM, same with 15C. I had never heard of
a physical eSIM, but apparantly it's a thing. A (non physical) eSIM can
be handy when you travel abroad. You could easily buy one online and you don't have to wait until it arrives via snail mail.
And if it were encrypted, how easy would it be to unencrypt if I
copied it to my computer?
It is unencrypted in the moment you access the files while the phone is running *and* unlocked when connected via USB.
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:41:31 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:03:21 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm
not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's
storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
And if it were encrypted, how easy would it be to unencrypt if I
copied it to my computer?
You wouldn't have to take out the card. Simply connect the phone to your >computer with a cable and it will act as a USB storage device.
On Fri, 7 Aug 2026 17:27:22 +0200, J||rg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net>[...]
wrote:
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete
as a SD-card-slot.
Why are they "obsolete"?
Is there a good reason that benefits users, or is it just that the manufacurers can sell you less functionality for more money?
On 2026-08-11 18:19, Maria Sophia wrote:
Andy Burns wrote:
Maybe I don't understand the purpose of an esim, as it's not storage.
Same as a SIM, it identifies you to a mobile provider for access to
their network, but without needing a physical SIM swap (except in the
special cases as discussed of a physical eSIM).
I've tended to stick with physical SIMs as they can be moved between phones.
Thanks.
That's why I didn't understand Carlos' response of...
"As we can use eSIMs instead, which is the advantage?"
When I had said...
"In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete,
knows nothing about them."
Maybe he meant that if there is a dual-purpose slot, that he'd rather use
the physical slot for an SIM (but not an E-SIM) instead of an sd card.
An eSIM must be some kind of electronic certificate, in a file.
On 8/10/26 9:33 PM, Steve Hayes wrote:
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
I've used Google Drive (if that's what you mean by Google cloud) for many years now with not one problem. I wish some of my other services were as reliable.
On Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:59:41 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:41:31 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:03:21 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm >>> >not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's >>> >storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
And if it were encrypted, how easy would it be to unencrypt if I
copied it to my computer?
You wouldn't have to take out the card. Simply connect the phone to your >>computer with a cable and it will act as a USB storage device.
So the cable itself unencrypts it?
Does one have to buy a special decrypting cable, or do all USB cables
do the trick?
On 2026-08-14, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2026-08-11 18:19, Maria Sophia wrote:
Andy Burns wrote:
Maybe I don't understand the purpose of an esim, as it's not storage. >>>>Same as a SIM, it identifies you to a mobile provider for access to
their network, but without needing a physical SIM swap (except in the
special cases as discussed of a physical eSIM).
I've tended to stick with physical SIMs as they can be moved between phones.
Thanks.
That's why I didn't understand Carlos' response of...
"As we can use eSIMs instead, which is the advantage?"
When I had said...
"In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete,
knows nothing about them."
Maybe he meant that if there is a dual-purpose slot, that he'd rather use >>> the physical slot for an SIM (but not an E-SIM) instead of an sd card.
An eSIM must be some kind of electronic certificate, in a file.
But a -|SD card is used for general storage, it's not just a device that could store such certificate files.
On Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:59:41 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:41:31 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:03:21 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
On Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:00:05 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
Are you planning to encrypt that microSD card?
No.
What difference would it make if I were?
Your data would be protected and I'd expect it to run a bit slower. I'm >>>> not sure if the storage on the Redmi itself is encrypted. AFAIK Pixel's >>>> storage is encrypted by default (but Google probably has a key).
And if it were encrypted, how easy would it be to unencrypt if I
copied it to my computer?
You wouldn't have to take out the card. Simply connect the phone to your
computer with a cable and it will act as a USB storage device.
So the cable itself unencrypts it?
Does one have to buy a special decrypting cable, or do all USB cables
do the trick?
On 2026-08-15 11:24, Nuno Silva wrote:
On 2026-08-14, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2026-08-11 18:19, Maria Sophia wrote:
Andy Burns wrote:
Maybe I don't understand the purpose of an esim, as it's not storage. >>>>>Same as a SIM, it identifies you to a mobile provider for access to
their network, but without needing a physical SIM swap (except in the >>>>> special cases as discussed of a physical eSIM).
I've tended to stick with physical SIMs as they can be moved between phones.
Thanks.
That's why I didn't understand Carlos' response of...
"As we can use eSIMs instead, which is the advantage?"
When I had said...
"In summary, anyone saying sd cards are obsolete,
knows nothing about them."
Maybe he meant that if there is a dual-purpose slot, that he'd rather use >>>> the physical slot for an SIM (but not an E-SIM) instead of an sd card.
An eSIM must be some kind of electronic certificate, in a file.
But a -|SD card is used for general storage, it's not just a device that
could store such certificate files.
True. A SIM card adds menu entries pertaining to the ISP. It is more complicated.
But you are talking of the physical device (card) that
adds eSIM functionality to a phone that doesn't have it.
I am talking
of the eSIM, which is some type of file with a certificate and maybe software.
On 2026-08-15, Carlos E. R. wrote:
But you are talking of the physical device (card) that
adds eSIM functionality to a phone that doesn't have it.
No. That device is effectively a smartcard too or at least exposes a smartcard interface.
I'm talking of a Secure Digital card, in this case on the "micro" form
factor and interface. These are storage devices with a different
interface. Although I guess it should be technically possible for
something entirely different to be there other than a storage device.
I am talking
of the eSIM, which is some type of file with a certificate and maybe
software.
That's a separate concept to replace a physical Subscriber Identity
Module. In turn, the device that offers a "physical eSIM", to be of any
use, has to be compatible with the smartcard interface and the form
factors used for SIMs.
Secure Digital: <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/SD_Cards.svg>--
Subscriber Identity Module: <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/GSM_Micro_SIM_Card_vs._GSM_Mini_Sim_Card_-_Break_Apart.svg>
On 2026-08-11, AJL wrote:
On 8/10/26 9:33 PM, Steve Hayes wrote:
Google cloud, and any other cloud, can delete your data on just about
any pretext, including their AI hallucinating that your data breached
one or other (unspecified) term of service.
I've used Google Drive (if that's what you mean by Google cloud) for many
years now with not one problem. I wish some of my other services were as
reliable.
This is the very same reasoning that one could use to justify not doing >backups. "I've not done it for many years with not one problem!"
Does one have to buy a special decrypting cable, or do all USB cables
do the trick?
Monster cables probably work better.
On 2026-08-10, Steve Hayes wrote:
On Fri, 7 Aug 2026 17:27:22 +0200, J%rg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net>[...]
wrote:
E-SIMs are standard for years. A second physical SIM slot is as obsolete >>>as a SD-card-slot.
Why are they "obsolete"?
Is there a good reason that benefits users, or is it just that the
manufacurers can sell you less functionality for more money?
This really doesn't compute, either physical SIMs are obsolete or they aren't. If a first slot is not obsolete, then the second one isn't.
On Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:59:41 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
You wouldn't have to take out the card. Simply connect the phone to your >computer with a cable and it will act as a USB storage device.
So the cable itself unencrypts it?
Does one have to buy a special decrypting cable, or do all USB cables
do the trick?
It is a card that sits in a SIM slot and can store inside 20 eSIMS,
intended to add eSIM capability to a phone that doesn't have it.
Arno Welzel wrote:
However nowadays memory is cheap enough
That's coming home to bite manufacturers since the AI buy-up of wafer production capacity, this years models look like they'll have less RAM
than equivalents last year, however some will have more EMMC storage.
(at least it was before the AI hype started), that even mainstreamWhen I bought my Pixel 8a, I was undecided between upgrading to 256GB
devices got a decent amount of memory built in which is enough for
many users.
storage or sticking with 128GB, considering the likely 7 year life of
the phone, I stuck with 128 and no problem so far. Battery life may
become too short before the phone reaches 7 years old.
On 2026-08-11 14:37, s|b wrote:
A7 Pro has got Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM, same with 15C. I had never heard of
a physical eSIM, but apparantly it's a thing. A (non physical) eSIM can
be handy when you travel abroad. You could easily buy one online and you
don't have to wait until it arrives via snail mail.
It is a card that sits in a SIM slot and can store inside 20 eSIMS,
intended to add eSIM capability to a phone that doesn't have it.
On Sat, 15 Aug 2026 07:56:18 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
On Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:59:41 +0200, "s|b" <me@privacy.invalid> wrote:
You wouldn't have to take out the card. Simply connect the phone to your
computer with a cable and it will act as a USB storage device.
So the cable itself unencrypts it?
Does one have to buy a special decrypting cable, or do all USB cables
do the trick?
Any USB-C to USB-A cable will do. I can't explain how the process works,
so I'll just quote Arno on this:
<quote>
It is unencrypted in the moment you access the files while the phone is >running *and* unlocked when connected via USB.
</quote>
Maria Sophia, 2026-08-11 18:19:[...]
This is dead wrong for two reasons, one of which is 60% of all
recent/current Androids have the sd card slot for good reasons.
No, it is not "dead wrong". You remember the late 1990ies?
And some things will just die very slowly, but they will one day, like optical disc drives (CD/DVD/BD).
Maria Sophia, 2026-08-11 18:19:[...]
This is dead wrong for two reasons, one of which is 60% of all
recent/current Androids have the sd card slot for good reasons.
No, it is not "dead wrong". You remember the late 1990ies?
And some things will just die very slowly, but they will one day, like
optical disc drives (CD/DVD/BD).
Is there any similar replacement for data storage and backup? IIRC the
best of them all is tape, but tends to be expensive; optical media being
more prevalent and readily available, although for capacity and price/capacity the most feasible one, at least before the introduction
of friggin' SMR (granted, backup might be one place where it actually is acceptable) and recent price increases, was to just use a hard disk
drive?
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