Expandable Storage in 2025: The Last Android Phones That Still Offer MicroSD Support
In an era where smartphone manufacturers are increasingly sealing devices shut and pushing cloud storage solutions, a dedicated group of users continues to search for that increasingly rare feature: the microSD card slot. Whether you're a photographer capturing thousands of high-resolution images, a traveler venturing into areas with spotty internet coverage, or simply someone who prefers to own their data rather than rent cloud space, expandable storage remains a critical feature. Let's explore the last bastions of expandable storage in the Android ecosystem of 2025.
The Dying Breed: Why Manufacturers Are Abandoning Expandable Storage
The trend away from microSD card slots began years ago with flagship devices and has now cascaded through nearly all price points. Manufacturers cite several reasons for this shift:
Design Considerations: Thinner phones with edge-to-edge screens leave little internal space for "optional" components
Profit Margins: Charging premium prices for higher internal storage configurations boosts revenue
Cloud Service Integration: Pushing users toward subscription-based cloud storage creates recurring revenue streams
Performance Control: Internal UFS storage offers more consistent performance than variable-quality SD cards
Waterproofing Simplification: Fewer ports means fewer potential water ingress points
Despite these justifications, the decision to remove expandable storage has been met with vocal opposition from power users who value flexibility and data ownership over marginally slimmer designs.
Complete List of 2025 Android Phones That Still Support MicroSD Cards
As of mid-2025, your options for new Android phones with microSD support have dwindled substantially, but several manufacturers continue to cater to this market:
Flagship Segment
Sony Xperia 1 VI - Premium option with pro-grade camera features
Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro 3 - Ruggedized business-focused device
Mid-Range Options
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2025) - Battery champion with decent specs
Nokia X30 Ultra - Clean Android experience with extended support
TCL 40 XE 5G - Budget-friendly with surprising performance
Budget Tier
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G - Balanced features at affordable price
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro - Feature-rich with competitive pricing
Nokia G40 - Basic performance with excellent battery life
Spotlight on the Best Options
Sony Xperia 1 VI: The Premium Choice
Sony's flagship remains one of the few premium devices that hasn't abandoned photography enthusiasts and power users. The Xperia 1 VI combines top-tier specs with the flexibility serious users demand:
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Display: 6.5" 4K HDR OLED, 120Hz
RAM/Storage: 12GB/256GB (expandable via microSD up to 2TB)
Camera System: Triple 48MP sensors with Zeiss optics
Battery: 5,000mAh with 45W fast charging
Price: $1,199
The Xperia stands out for its uncompromising approach to both performance and expandability. Its dedicated camera features make it particularly appealing to mobile photographers who need extra storage for RAW files and 4K video.
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2025): Mid-Range Champion
Motorola has wisely maintained expandable storage in its popular G-series, making the Moto G Power 5G (2025) one of the best mid-range options available:
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300
Display: 6.7" FHD+ LCD, 120Hz
RAM/Storage: 8GB/128GB (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)
Camera System: 64MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro
Battery: 6,000mAh with 30W charging
Price: $349
With its massive battery, decent performance, and clean Android implementation, the Moto G Power hits a sweet spot for value-conscious users who need extended storage.
Performance Comparison: How These Phones Stack Up Against Non-Expandable Flagships
When comparing these microSD-supporting phones to their sealed counterparts, several patterns emerge:
Benchmark testing reveals that the performance gap between flagships with and without microSD support has narrowed significantly. The Sony Xperia 1 VI performs within 5-7% of non-expandable flagships in most processing tests, with the added benefit of virtually unlimited storage potential.
Cloud Alternatives vs. Physical Storage: Cost Analysis Over Phone Lifetime
Let's break down the economics of expandable storage versus cloud subscriptions over a typical 3-year phone lifecycle:
Scenario: Managing 512GB of Data
Option 1: Phone with microSD expansion
Base phone with 128GB storage: $349-1,199
512GB microSD card (one-time): $45
Total 3-year cost: $394-1,244
Option 2: Higher capacity sealed phone + cloud
Phone with 512GB storage: $499-1,399 (typical premium: $150-200)
Cloud backup (100GB at $1.99/month): $72 for 3 years
Total 3-year cost: $571-1,471
Option 3: Base sealed phone + larger cloud
Phone with 128GB storage: $349-1,199
Cloud storage (2TB at $9.99/month): $360 for 3 years
Total 3-year cost: $709-1,559
The analysis reveals that physical expansion remains the most cost-effective approach, especially for users who keep phones for extended periods or transfer their microSD cards to new devices.
Best MicroSD Cards for Android in 2025
Not all microSD cards deliver equal performance. Here are the top options for Android users in 2025:
Premium Performance
SanDisk Extreme PRO A2 (1TB) - $89.99
Read speeds: up to 200MB/s
Write speeds: up to 140MB/s
Perfect for 4K video recording and app installation
Samsung PRO Plus (512GB) - $59.99
Read speeds: up to 180MB/s
Write speeds: up to 130MB/s
Excellent durability ratings
Value Options
Lexar Professional 1066x (256GB) - $29.99
Read speeds: up to 160MB/s
Write speeds: up to 120MB/s
Good balance of performance and price
Kingston Canvas Select Plus (128GB) - $14.99
Read speeds: up to 100MB/s
Write speeds: up to 85MB/s
Reliable budget option
Capacity Champion
PNY EliteX-PRO (2TB) - $179.99
Read speeds: up to 180MB/s
Write speeds: up to 110MB/s
Highest capacity with A2 performance rating
Tips for Optimizing Expandable Storage Performance
To get the most from your microSD card:
Choose the right speed class: Look for A2-rated cards for app installation, V30 or higher for video recording
Format in-device: Always format new cards using your phone's formatting tool rather than a computer
Use "Adoptable Storage" selectively: While this feature integrates the card as internal storage, it restricts card transfers between devices
Move appropriate content: Use SD cards primarily for media storage rather than apps when possible
Backup regularly: Even high-quality SD cards can fail; maintain backups of critical data
Keep card mounted: Avoid frequent mounting/unmounting to reduce wear on the physical connector
Update firmware: Some phones receive updates that improve SD card performance and compatibility
Conclusion: Is Expandable Storage Still Worth Fighting For?
As we progress through 2025, the right to repair and own your data has become increasingly important to conscious consumers. While the industry continues its push toward closed systems and subscription models, the phones with microSD support represent more than just additional storage—they symbolize consumer choice and flexibility.
For photographers, travelers, media collectors, and privacy-conscious users, these devices offer meaningful advantages that cloud-dependent alternatives simply cannot match. Whether you choose the premium experience of the Sony Xperia 1 VI or the value-oriented approach of the Motorola Moto G Power, you're making a statement about the kind of technology ecosystem you wish to support.
As consumers, our purchasing decisions ultimately guide manufacturer priorities. If expandable storage matters to you, voting with your wallet by supporting these devices sends a clear message that not all features should be sacrificed on the altar of slimmer designs and higher profit margins.
