SanDisk shipping Mobile Ultra 16GB microSDHC / M2 cards

SanDisk got official (after some fighting) with its 16GB microSDHC and M2 cards way back in September, but now we're being formally introduced to the Mobile Ultra line. Both cards remain topped out at 16GB, and it's also bundling a MobileMate Micro Reader along with each. They ought to be hitting shelves this month for $119.99 (microSDHC) / $129.99 (M2), and you can catch the full release just after the break.

SANDISK MOBILE ULTRA MICROSDHC AND MEMORY STICK MICRO (M2) PREMIUM MOBILE MEMORY CARDS INCREASE CAPACITY TO 16 GIGABYTES

SanDisk Mobile Ultra 16GB Cards Feature Increased Capacity, Fast Side-loading and Bundled USB 2.0-Compatible Reader for Easy Transfer of Digital Content

• SanDisk® Mobile Ultra™ 16GB microSDHC™ & Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) cards are highest-capacity premium removable memory cards for mobile phones
• SanDisk Mobile Ultra cards' fast side-loading speed transfers data quickly to and from the memory card and computer
• MobileMate™ Micro Reader bundled with mobile memory card for ease of use

CES 2009, South Hall, Booth # 30659, LAS VEGAS– Jan. 7, 2009 – SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a global leader in flash memory products, today announced that it will be shipping its 16 gigabyte (GB)1 SanDisk Mobile Ultra microSDHC and Memory Stick Micro (M2) mobile memory cards - the world's largest removable storage capacity for mobile phones – in January. This increased capacity, coupled with the high performance of the SanDisk Mobile Ultra line, allows consumers to further take advantage of the many storage-intensive features offered by today's portable handsets such as music playback, photo and video camera functions, gaming and GPS applications.
A must-have product for consumers who embody the digital lifestyle, the SanDisk Mobile Ultra high-performance cards are "best of breed" premium cards that provide fast side-loading speeds. This means that users will experience accelerated transfer rates of digital files to and from their mobile memory card and computer. For added convenience, the card is bundled with a MobileMate Micro Reader that plugs directly into a USB 2.0-compatible port, enabling quick transport and easy management of digital content without the need to purchase additional equipment.
"Mobile devices are at the center of our digital world. You can never overestimate the need for more storage," said Avi Greengart, Research Director, Mobile Devices for Current Analysis, an independent market research firm.
"As consumers listen to music, view photos, take and watch videos on their phones, the need for high-capacity removable mobile phone memory cards that can quickly transfer these files increases," said Diana Cartwright, senior director, retail marketing, SanDisk. "Our new 16GB SanDisk Mobile Ultra microSDHC and M2 cards include a MobileMate Micro reader for fast side-loading, offering the most convenient means for people to store, move and play digital content to and from their mobile phones."
The 16GB SanDisk Mobile Ultra microSDHC and Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $119.99 and $129.99, respectively.
The microSDHC cards, available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, are ideal for newer mobile phone models, most of which are compatible with these higher capacity cards. The Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards are designed for Sony Ericsson's new generation of mobile phones, all of which are compatible with the 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacity levels. SanDisk Mobile Ultra cards come with a 10-year limited warranty. The MobileMate Micro reader is bundled with the memory cards as a value to consumers2.

[WhateversClever @ Jan 7th 2009 12:46AM]

you're missing the point....

[bighap @ Jan 7th 2009 12:11AM]

My BB Storm would love one of these.

[SimbaDogg @ Jan 7th 2009 3:12AM]

seriously, so is my tilt. but i do hate this never ending game, i'm very tempted to get this to replace my 8 GB SD microsd card that i bought almost 1 year ago exactly, for the same price.

[Alex @ Jan 7th 2009 12:16AM]

My gosh, 16GB in something that small? That's amazing.

[therpham @ Jan 7th 2009 12:22AM]

I, for one, welcome our new high data density to volume ratio overlords.

[Phobia @ Jan 7th 2009 12:24AM]

Kinda expensive when you can pick up 8gb cards for $20 right now.

[WhateversUnclever @ Jan 7th 2009 12:49AM]

sorry, it was supposed to be a reply to some noob comment, which engadget deleted.

[lpppppl @ Jan 7th 2009 12:40AM]

FYI: 2 years ago, Sony said the capacity limit for a M2 card is 2GB

[Cody @ Jan 7th 2009 12:49AM]

Apparently they miscalculated. :-)

[ajmalzx @ Jan 7th 2009 12:49AM]

Wait 6 months and you'll be able to pick up the mobile marvels at $40 a piece. I made the mistake of buying the 8GB version when it came out (which was barely 1 year ago) and paid almost $100 for it. Now it's cheaper than chips at $25.

[thedesolate1 @ Jan 7th 2009 1:36AM]

Im waiting for those class 6 ones. Im looking at YOU Toshiba..

[mykie @ Jan 7th 2009 2:02AM]

I have a 4gb card in my Touch Pro and i've only managed to fill up about 600mb of it so far.

But that doesn't stop me from wanting this so hard...

If for no other reason than to show up ipod 3g owners.

[Roland Bauman @ Jan 7th 2009 2:40AM]

I bought my 16GB micro SD HC back in first part of November for $69 plus $9 for shipping on Ebay from UK, in Europe they had these for a while now, I have been using it in my HTC Kaiser and its great.

[chris @ Jan 7th 2009 2:42AM]

i picked up a 16gb kingston sdhc card for $20 along with my canon slr. why would i pay these prices?

[Roland Bauman @ Jan 7th 2009 2:53AM]

Here we are talking about micro SDHC not regular SDHC which have been around for a year or so. Besides there not alot of mobile phones out there that take a regualr SDHC my phone takes micro SDHC only

[chris @ Jan 7th 2009 12:17PM]

pls excuse my incompetence

[thedesolate1 @ Jan 8th 2009 3:25AM]

You are excused for being civilized about it.

[seosoeasy @ Jan 7th 2009 2:59AM]

It is amazing

[mutairy @ Jan 7th 2009 3:02AM]

I'm more interested in the paper clip, when will it be available?

[David @ Jan 7th 2009 3:08AM]

^^Its still in beta.



But seriously, gimmie the 32 GB micro sdhc cards!

[darkmax @ Jan 7th 2009 3:14AM]

Time to ditch my 8GB mobile ultra and slot this one into my Samsung Omnia (16GB).... Finally! I don't know about Storm and Tilt, but Omnia definitely supports 16GB.

[Felix Fdot @ Jan 7th 2009 6:36AM]

I'm using the normal 16gb m2 from Sandisk in my SE mobile for a while now and love the space, but the performance is just unbelievable sluggish - when I start listening to music, the first track takes about 5 seconds to load. I really hope "Mobile Ultra" means "usable in your cellphone" though I don't 100% know if its my mobile that fucks up or the card..

[Brett @ Jan 7th 2009 7:09AM]

I have had a microSDHC 16GB for months now in my Moto Q9C.
I bought it from a web store in London for around 100 bucks.

[K @ Jan 7th 2009 10:29AM]

I've been using a 16GB microSDHC card in my BB 8310 since October. I of course have been using v4.5.xxx since then. I see no reason the Storm would not support this.

[tad @ Jan 7th 2009 11:03AM]

Why the hype? SanDisk already sells class 6 µSDHC in 16GB for €48 on AMAZ0N and several others.

Hint: The graphics show Class2, but SanDisk changed the labeling to class6 since the current cards realy are class6 and better.

[Barbaric @ Jan 7th 2009 2:52PM]

I just got a 8gb M@ for $20 on sale from SanDisk.com, for my SE w760. Previously had a 1Gb M2 I paid around $30 for when it was new with my SE w580.

My 8 gig card has less than 2 gigs used for all the songs, pics and vids I need traveling with me. Plus copies of all my PSP game saves.

I guess what I'm saying is I could have 16gb for $40, not $130. Its not a major PITA to change M2 cards on my device, its easily accessible, and well worth saving close to $90. I already have 2 extra batteries for it, just for airplane travel & long trips. (had two w580's, same batt as w760. YEAH sony!)


Even if I filled 8 or 16 gb, a single battery would die before I got through watching-listening to all the media. Or I'd get sick of looking at such a small screen.

These are the main reasons I went with this device over the iPhone... removable storage, removable battery.

I just wish manufactures would offer multiple card slots.

[Loonie @ Jan 7th 2009 3:23PM]

I wonder if they'll ever cram 32GB into one of these micro SD things? Inquiring Sansa Views wish to know.

[Who? @ Jan 7th 2009 5:26PM]

Are the mobile ultra's just class 4, or are they something like 4 on steroids? What's so much better about these than a typical class 4 card?