The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →PNY announced the PRO Elite Prime microSDXC card family and Performance Prime USB 3.2 Gen 1 reader on November 7, 2024. The cards are rated Class 10, U3, V30 and A2, with announced capacities from 64GB through 1.5TB. PNY’s headline figures—up to 200MB/s read and 150MB/s write—apply when the card is used with the Performance Prime reader, so they are qualified manufacturer claims rather than guaranteed speeds in every phone, camera or computer.
What PNY announced
PNY’s launch release describes PRO Elite Prime as a microSDXC family using a UHS-I interface. The range covers 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 1.5TB capacities, according to the announcement. PNY positions the cards for microSD-equipped smartphones, tablets, cameras, drones and computers, and says the included SD adapter enables use in compatible full-size SD slots, including DSLR and mirrorless cameras. See the November 7, 2024 launch announcement.
| Specification | PNY’s announced detail |
|---|---|
| Format | microSDXC |
| Interface | UHS-I |
| Capacities | 64GB to 1.5TB |
| Speed ratings | Class 10, U3, V30 |
| Application rating | A2 |
| Maximum claimed speed | Up to 200MB/s read and 150MB/s write with the Performance Prime reader |
How to interpret the speed claims
The 200MB/s read and 150MB/s write numbers are PNY’s maximum claims for the card-reader combination, repeated on the PRO Elite Prime product page. They should not be read as a promise that every capacity, device or workload will reach those rates.
Although the cards are UHS-I, PNY says proprietary technology in its Prime card and reader products is designed to exceed the nominal 104MB/s UHS-I figure. That 104MB/s value is an interface reference cited by PNY, not an observed PRO Elite Prime result or a guarantee for a particular host. Transfer speed can be constrained by the card, reader, USB connection, computer, phone or the workload itself.
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- Class 10, U3, V30 speed class performance with read speeds up to 100MB/s, and write speeds up to 90MB/s for fast and smooth burst mode HD Photography and 4K Ultra HD Videography
- A2 App Performance enables apps to run directly from the microSD card, delivering faster app launch and performance. A2 provides minimally 4000 IOPS (Read) and 2000 IOPS (Write)
- Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from microSD enabled host devices such as Android smartphones and tablets, action and surveillance cameras, drones, computers and more
- Included SD adapter for compatibility with SD enabled host devices including DSLR cameras, video cameras, desktops, and laptops
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof
Independent 1.5TB measurements
Digital Camera World reports results for its own 1.5TB sample: 171MB/s read and 142MB/s write in a large-single-file test, and 168MB/s read and 136MB/s write with multiple small files. These are that publication’s measurements on its test setup, not PNY guarantees for all cards. Its 2026 buying guide also cautions that some phones do not support cards above 1TB and that very few dash cameras do.
What the ratings mean
- Class 10: the card belongs to the highest basic Speed Class tier.
- U3: the UHS Speed Class rating specifies a minimum sequential write requirement of 30MB/s under the relevant test conditions.
- V30: the Video Speed Class rating likewise indicates a 30MB/s minimum sustained sequential write level for compatible recording workloads.
- A2: the Application Performance Class is intended to support stronger app-related random I/O than lower application classes when the host implements the required features.
These ratings help determine whether a card meets a device’s baseline requirement; they do not turn the peak reader figures into guaranteed camera or phone performance.
Rank #2
- EXTREME PERFORMANCE: U3, V30 speed class performance with read speeds up to 200MB/s, and write speeds up to 150MB/s when used with PNY Performance Prime microSD Card Reader¹
- RECORD & TRANSFER: Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from microSD enabled host devices such to laptop and desktop computers using the Performance Prime Card Reader for extreme speeds facilitating accelerated workflows when editing content
- RATED A2 APP PERFORMANCE: A2 App Performance enables apps to run directly from the microSD card, delivering faster app launch and performance. A2 provides minimally 4000 IOPS (Read) and 2000 IOPS (Write)
- USE WITH LATEST DEVICES: Compatible with Android smartphones and tablets, action and surveillance cameras, drones, computers and more (Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2)
- SD COMPATIBILITY: Included SD adapter for compatibility with SD enabled host devices including DSLR cameras, video cameras, desktops, and laptops
Performance Prime reader: when it matters
The Performance Prime is a USB 3.2 Gen 1 microSDXC reader designed for transferring media to a computer. PNY also lists USB 3.0 support and backward compatibility with USB 2.0. The reader product page links it to the card’s advertised peak speeds.
A USB 3.x computer and suitable cable are needed to approach the higher transfer rates; a USB 2.0 connection will impose its own ceiling. The reader is useful if your computer lacks a microSD slot or if you regularly offload footage, but it is not required for a phone, camera or laptop that already has a compatible slot and workflow.
Rank #3
- Class 10, U3, V30 speed class performance with read speeds up to 100MB/s, and write speeds up to 90MB/s for fast and smooth HD Photography and 4K Ultra HD Videography
- A2 App Performance enables apps to run directly from the microSD card, delivering faster app launch and performance. A2 provides minimally 4000 IOPS (Read) and 2000 IOPS (Write)
- Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from microSD enabled host devices such as Android smartphones and tablets, action and surveillance cameras, drones, computers and more
- Included SD adapter for compatibility with SD enabled host devices including DSLR cameras, video cameras, desktops, and laptops
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof
Compatibility checks before buying
Confirm the host’s capacity limit
Check the exact phone, tablet, camera, drone or computer manual for supported microSDXC capacities. Do not assume a device that accepts 512GB or 1TB will accept the 1.5TB model. Digital Camera World’s 2026 guide specifically warns that support above 1TB is not universal.
Match the recording requirement
For video, surveillance or burst photography, compare the device’s required speed class and sustained-write behavior with U3/V30. Peak sequential read speed is less important than maintaining writes during the actual recording mode.
Rank #4
- EXTREME PERFORMANCE: U3, V30 speed class performance with read speeds up to 200MB/s, and write speeds up to 150MB/s when used with PNY Performance Prime microSD Card Reader¹
- RECORD & TRANSFER: Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from microSD enabled host devices such to laptop and desktop computers using the Performance Prime Card Reader for extreme speeds facilitating accelerated workflows when editing content
- RATED A2 APP PERFORMANCE: A2 App Performance enables apps to run directly from the microSD card, delivering faster app launch and performance. A2 provides minimally 4000 IOPS (Read) and 2000 IOPS (Write)
- USE WITH LATEST DEVICES: Compatible with Android smartphones and tablets, action and surveillance cameras, drones, computers and more (Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2)
- SD COMPATIBILITY: Included SD adapter for compatibility with SD enabled host devices including DSLR cameras, video cameras, desktops, and laptops
Check the physical slot and adapter
Use the included SD adapter only in a compatible full-size SD slot. An adapter changes the physical size, not the card’s capacity or speed rating, and the host still must support the microSDXC format.
Identify the transfer bottleneck
- Use a USB 3.x port and a capable cable for computer transfers.
- Expect lower rates when the host is USB 2.0.
- Measure performance on the specific reader, host and file pattern if transfer time is critical.
Is PRO Elite Prime suitable for your use?
| Use case | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Phone or tablet expansion | Whether the model supports microSDXC and the chosen capacity, especially above 1TB; whether it supports A2 features. |
| DSLR or mirrorless camera | Full-size SD compatibility, the camera’s capacity limit and its required video speed class; use the supplied adapter. |
| Drone or action camera | The manufacturer’s approved capacity and minimum sustained-write rating for the selected resolution and frame rate. |
| Computer media offload | A USB 3.x path and a reader such as Performance Prime if the computer lacks a microSD slot. |
| Dash camera | Specific capacity and endurance guidance; very few dash cameras support cards above 1TB, according to Digital Camera World’s 2026 guide. |
What is established—and what is not
PNY established the launch specifications and the reader-linked maximum claims in 2024. The available evidence does not establish current retail price, stock, warranty terms, or performance for every capacity and host. Verify the exact variant, capacity support, return policy and availability at the time of purchase.
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- EXTREME PERFORMANCE: U3, V30 speed class performance with read speeds up to 200MB/s, and write speeds up to 150MB/s when used with PNY Performance Prime microSD Card Reader¹
- RECORD & TRANSFER: Record and transfer videos, photos, music, files and more from microSD enabled host devices such to laptop and desktop computers using the Performance Prime Card Reader for extreme speeds facilitating accelerated workflows when editing content
- RATED A2 APP PERFORMANCE: A2 App Performance enables apps to run directly from the microSD card, delivering faster app launch and performance. A2 provides minimally 4000 IOPS (Read) and 2000 IOPS (Write)
- USE WITH LATEST DEVICES: Compatible with Android smartphones and tablets, action and surveillance cameras, drones, computers and more (Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2)
- SD COMPATIBILITY: Included SD adapter for compatibility with SD enabled host devices including DSLR cameras, video cameras, desktops, and laptops
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Performance Prime reader to use a PRO Elite Prime card?
No. The card can be used in any compatible microSDXC slot. The reader is relevant for computer transfers and for PNY’s up-to-200MB/s read and up-to-150MB/s write claims.
Will a 1.5TB PRO Elite Prime card work in my phone?
Only if the phone’s specifications explicitly support a 1.5TB microSDXC card. Capacity support is host-dependent, and support above 1TB is not universal.
The Bottom Line
PRO Elite Prime combines a broad 64GB–1.5TB range with U3, V30 and A2 ratings, while PNY’s highest speed claims depend on the Performance Prime reader and a fast host connection. Choose the capacity and speed class your specific device supports, then treat the headline transfer figures as qualified maximums.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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