Google and it’s latest version of software KitKat changed how external micro sd card can be used.

What does this mean? External micro sd cards can really only be used for your music, photos, films and documents so long as the app has been updated properly. There was a lot of negative noise about this change but I believe it is for the best. Delete an app, and it also deletes all it’s contents on its dedicated folders both in internal and external storage. It also provides better security as an app can only read content from its own folders.

Anyway, I currently have the LG G3 with 32gb storage/3gb ram and with a 64gb micro sd card. That will soon be a 128gb card giving me 160gb storage.

But the key is the internal memory. This is needed for installing apps and in some cases the apps databases which might only work on the internal storage. It’s worth remembering that if you buy a phone with 16gb storage it will only have somewhere between 8-11gb free. From memory my 32gb G3 had about 25gb free. One of my previous devices was a Samsung Note 3. This had about 24gb free. And boy what a difference it makes having this amount of space free with the added expansion of the micro sd card.

So having a large amount of storage is a wonderful feeling. You’re find me dancing in the streets so happy I’ve got all the free storage. Well figuratively speaking 🙂

Yesterday, I had some spare time, so I looked at my Google Play wish list of apps, games and media. After a few hours I had downloaded several decent games and mapping software. All in all with the size of the games, apps and their respective databases I needed about 2gb. The mapping software in particular was a significant download for the offline terrain maps of Dartmoor. So I checked after installing everything and my storage stats showed I had used 16gb for apps and games with another 4gb for the caches. If I hadn’t had the extra storage provided by a 32gb device there is no way in a million years I could have the current software setup.

My LG G3 key software setup comprises gps and mapping, weather and weather station management, home automation, gaming and game controllers, camera and advanced photo editing, social networking, office and office documents, shopping services, health and fitness devices and tracking and web browsing and news gathering. There are a few other smaller functions like using the G3 as my infra red remote control for my TV etc… But with all this functionality is the need for storage.

So I have vowed never to buy an android phone unless it’s 32gb with micro sd card expansion. I actually now realise that a 64gb iPhone 6 would not allow me enough space to manage my phone requirements, hence why it’s not on my current short list. And if Apple realise a 128gb iPhone it will just be too expensive.