Smartphone’s microSD card is a feature loved by a lot of users. But if it just gets on board and does nothing, that’s another story. Check out the Galaxy S7 and LG G5’s case to see if the microSD card is really helpful!

Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5’s microSD cards offer up to 200 more GB for nothing?

Samsung has brought consumers’ favorite microSD card slot back to their flagships. Specifically, Samsung Galaxy S7 specs include 32/64GB ROM expandable up to 200GB. LG G5 specs also do the same, sporting 32GB ROM expandable up to 200GB. However, you cannot use the additional memory to install apps or games. Yes, you heard it right, but wait! Before we come up with any conclusion, let’s see how they explain this.

The reason is because Samsung and LG are employing normal microSD cards which cannot work with Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS. Speaking more specifically, both S7 and G5 do not support an Android 6.0’s new feature known as Adoptable Storage. It helps “merge the internal memory of a phone with the external storage” given by a microSD card. Then, you can install any app, game or anything you want, yet remember that the card can’t be taken out as “it cannot be read by other devices.” In other words, “it loses this ability to be used for file transfer.”

Meanwhile, Samsung believes their users will prefer a microSD card which is able to transfer files, especially the photos and videos they took, between their own handsets and other devices such as laptops, tablets, etc. Therefore, they “decided not to use the Android Marshmallow “adoptable storage” model,” which also means 200 more GB are just for music, images, clips, etc. only.

Nonetheless, is it a serious problem?

Samsung Galaxy S7 as well as LG G5 has a 32GB option for consumers, so they can spare 23GB out of 32GB for apps and games. That’s somewhat enough for most people, yet those who like playing games, especially heavy ones, on smartphones will feel pretty inconvenient. How about you? Tell us your opinions!