Remember when almost every Android phone came with a microSD slot and expandable memory was an expected feature? Those days are mostly long gone, especially on mid-range or high-end Samsung Galaxy phones.That said, you can still buy a Samsung phone with expandable storage in 2026, and here are a few of your options.Most flagship phones from 2020 or earlier have an SD card slot, including the Galaxy S20, S20 Ultra, and other models.
However, that was the last year Samsung offered the feature in its flagship phones.Now, if you want additional features like a microSD slot, don't buy an expensive Galaxy phone.Instead, you'll need to look for something cheaper, which seems backward.
Why microSD slots disappeared from high-end phones Internal-only storage is faster and more secure Close Before I share a list of a few decent Samsung Galaxy phones that offer microSD expandable storage, it's important to understand why it's no longer a common feature.On a spec sheet, expandable storage thanks to a MicroSD expansion slot sounds great.However, the internal storage built into our phones typically offers better performance, is more secure, and allows for thinner overall designs or larger battery packs.
We've talked about why microSD support disappeared from high-end phones before, and those are the main reasons, regardless of whether you agree with Samsung and other manufacturers taking that route.Sure, it's also about us buying cloud storage or spending extra on a higher storage model, which slowly pushes users toward premium options like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but that's only part of the story.Related I added microSD storage back to my phone for $30 without losing the charging port Solving the problems of portable external storage devices.
Posts 43 By Joe Fedewa Built-in storage is typically faster thanks to technology like high-speed UFS 4.0 internal flash storage on newer phones.You'll get better overall performance than when apps, cameras, and data are sent to or retrieved from a microSD card.Even though microSD cards come in various speed classes, the internal storage is more than fast enough these days.
Plus, when a phone is lost or gets stolen, if you have a lock screen system in place, your data is relatively safe.With a microSD card, would-be thieves can pull it out and access anything.While I'd still rather have the option to expand storage on my phone, I understand why manufacturers don't offer it very often.
If you still want it too, here are a few relatively good Galaxy models.Which Samsung Galaxy to buy with a microSD slot? A few low and mid-range models have you covered A few years ago, almost any mid-range Samsung Galaxy phone came with expandable storage.Unfortunately, that's no longer the case.
With each new year and release, Samsung is slowly stripping it away from models like the Galaxy A57 5G, FE models, and other phones.Now, your best bet is a low-to-mid-range phone like the Galaxy A27 5G, which arrived for U.S.customers last month.
Samsung's A27 is a budget-friendly phone with a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, a 50MP triple camera, 5,000mAh battery, and an impressive 6-year OS update commitment, priced around $250 to $350, depending on where you get it.The Galaxy A27 5G is certainly a budget phone, and you can find it from carriers like Boost Mobile, Visible, and others.The A27 5G supports microSD expansion up to 2TB, giving you tons of storage on your phone.
Galaxy A27 5G The Galaxy A27 5G upgrades Samsung's budget Android phone with a faster Snapdragon chip and a sleeker display.See at Samsung See at Boost Mobile Expand Collapse Another option, although a bit older, is the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.Sure, this phone came out in 2024, but it still packs a large 6.6-inch display, a Samsung Exynos processor, a 5,000mAh battery, triple rear cameras, and microSD expansion up to 1TB for under $300.
And finally, the other phone I'd recommend for anyone who truly wants a microSD slot is the Galaxy A55 5G, which again, came out in 2024.However, this is closer to a flagship or mid-range experience, with a faster Samsung Exynos processor, better cameras, and, optionally, more RAM if you buy the higher 256GB storage model in select regions.The Galaxy A55 5G cameras are a strong point, at least for the price, delivering a 32GB selfie front camera, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP wide-angle lens, and a 5MP macro camera.
The company highlights low-light camera performance, Super HDR videos, and a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.It also sports a 5,000 mAh battery for all-day use, fast 25W wired charging, and many of the features that make Samsung's more expensive phones so good, like IP67 water resistance and an all-metal and glass design.Samsung Galaxy A55 5G The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G gives you a premium experience for less, with a big, beautiful screen, all-day battery life, capable cameras, and a solid design. See at Amazon Expand Collapse Other options to consider If you're searching for the best Galaxy phone with a memory card slot, you won't find a lot of options—at least in North America.
Samsung makes tons of phones in various models and trims around the globe, but stateside, the options are extremely limited.Your best bet might be to find a lightly used Galaxy S24 Ultra or Galaxy S25 Ultra with 512/1TB of storage and go that route.The few models mentioned earlier aren't bad, but they're not that great, either.
In closing, consider Motorola, which has a bunch of well-rounded phones with a stylus, microSD expansion, 3,5mm headphone jacks, and other niche features from the past.
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