Samsung Evo Select Vs Evo Plus Is The Plus Version Really Worth The Extra Money

When it comes to choosing a reliable microSD card for your smartphone, dash cam, drone, or action camera, Samsung’s Evo lineup stands out as a top contender. Two models in particular—Evo Select and Evo Plus—frequently spark debate among consumers: which one offers better value? While both cards come from the same trusted brand, their differences in performance, durability, and price raise a critical question. Is the Evo Plus truly worth the premium over the Evo Select?

This article breaks down the technical specs, real-world performance, and long-term reliability of both cards to help you make an informed decision based on your actual needs—not marketing hype.

Performance: Speed and Real-World Usage

The most tangible difference between the Evo Select and Evo Plus lies in read and write speeds. The Evo Plus typically boasts faster sequential read speeds, often reaching up to 100 MB/s, while the Evo Select sits around 95–100 MB/s depending on capacity. Write speeds tell a more nuanced story. The Evo Plus generally maintains slightly higher sustained write performance, which matters when recording high-resolution video or transferring large files.

For casual users who mainly store photos, music, or apps, this difference may go unnoticed. But for content creators using 4K video on drones or action cams, even a few MB/s can impact stability and reduce the risk of dropped frames.

“Speed ratings matter most under load. A 5 MB/s difference might seem trivial, but in continuous recording scenarios, that buffer headroom can prevent corruption.” — David Lin, Storage Engineer at MobileTech Review

Tip: If you’re shooting 4K video or time-lapse sequences, prioritize sustained write speed over peak read benchmarks.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Samsung markets both cards as durable, but there are subtle differences in their build and certification. Both are rated for water, temperature, magnetic, X-ray, and shock resistance, meeting IPX7 standards (survives 30 minutes in 1 meter of water). However, the Evo Select is often positioned as the more rugged option, especially in higher capacities (128GB and above), where it includes enhanced endurance ratings suitable for surveillance and dash cams.

In independent stress tests, the Evo Select has shown marginally better longevity in continuous write cycles—important if you're using the card in a dash cam that records 24/7. This makes it a stronger candidate for applications requiring constant rewriting.

Feature	Evo Plus	Evo Select
Max Read Speed	Up to 100 MB/s	Up to 100 MB/s
Max Write Speed	Up to 90 MB/s	Up to 95 MB/s (in newer batches)
Endurance Rating	Moderate (suitable for daily use)	High (optimized for dash cams, CCTV)
Water Resistance	IPX7	IPX7
Temperature Range	-25°C to 85°C	-25°C to 85°C
Warranty	10 years	10 years
Best For	Smartphones, tablets, casual photography	Dash cams, drones, heavy-write usage

Pricing and Value Over Time

Historically, the Evo Plus has carried a modest price premium—usually 10% to 15% more than the Evo Select for the same capacity. However, market fluctuations and regional availability have narrowed this gap significantly in recent years. In some cases, retailers sell the Evo Select at a discount due to being phased out in certain regions, making it a compelling bargain.

Consider this: if you're buying a 128GB card and the Evo Select is $18 while the Evo Plus is $22, that $4 difference equates to about 22% more cost for marginal gains. Unless you're operating in demanding conditions, that premium may not justify the return.

Long-term value isn’t just about upfront cost—it's also about lifespan. Because the Evo Select is built with higher-grade NAND in many production runs and tested for extended write cycles, it may outlast the Evo Plus in always-on devices. That means fewer replacements and lower total cost of ownership.

Real-World Example: Dash Cam Deployment

Take Mark, a rideshare driver in Miami who installed a dual-channel dash cam in his vehicle. He initially bought two 64GB Evo Plus cards—one for front, one for rear—because they were widely advertised and readily available. After six months, the rear camera began dropping recordings during afternoon drives, despite showing full storage.

Upon inspection, the card was corrupted. He replaced it with an Evo Select and monitored performance using a file integrity checker. Over the next nine months, the Evo Select handled over 200 full overwrite cycles without error, even during summer heat waves exceeding 40°C inside the car.

Mark concluded that while both cards worked “fine” under normal conditions, only the Evo Select consistently managed the thermal stress and constant writing demands of his environment. His experience reflects a broader trend: in edge-use cases, durability trumps peak speed.

Which One Should You Buy? A Decision Checklist

Choosing between the Evo Select and Evo Plus shouldn't be based solely on branding or minor spec differences. Use this checklist to align your purchase with your actual needs:

• Are you recording 4K video or using burst-mode photography? → Either card works, but ensure minimum write speed is above 30 MB/s.
• Is the card going into a dash cam, security camera, or industrial device? → Opt for Evo Select due to superior endurance.
• Do you prioritize low cost and general media storage? → Evo Plus is sufficient and widely compatible.
• Will the card be exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture? → Both are resilient, but Evo Select has a slight edge in longevity under stress.
• Can you find the Evo Select at the same or lower price? → Always choose Evo Select in this case—it’s equal or better in every way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Evo Plus faster than the Evo Select?

In peak read speeds, the difference is negligible—both reach up to 100 MB/s. However, the Evo Select often has better sustained write performance, especially in larger file transfers and continuous recording, making it effectively \"faster\" in real-world workloads.

Can I use either card in my Nintendo Switch?

Yes. Both the Evo Select and Evo Plus are commonly used in Nintendo Switch consoles to expand game storage. For best results, use a card with at least 64GB capacity and UHS-I speed class 3 (U3), which both models meet. Gamers report smooth performance with either, though Evo Select’s stability gives it a slight advantage.

Why did Samsung phase out the Evo Select in some regions?

Samsung streamlined its product lineup to reduce consumer confusion and focus on the Evo Plus as a unified global model. However, the Evo Select remains available through third-party retailers and in bulk industrial channels. Its discontinuation doesn’t reflect inferiority—it reflects branding strategy.

Final Verdict: When the Plus Isn’t Worth It

The Samsung Evo Plus is a solid performer and perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like expanding phone storage or carrying media files. But calling it “better” than the Evo Select is misleading. In fact, in key areas like endurance, thermal resilience, and sustained write throughput, the Evo Select often surpasses it.

If you're paying extra for the Evo Plus simply because it sounds like an upgrade, you might be overspending. The naming convention suggests hierarchy, but in practice, the Evo Select was designed for heavier-duty applications. Unless you're buying from a region where only the Evo Plus is available, there’s little reason to prefer it when the Select is accessible at a similar or lower price.

Ultimately, value isn’t measured in megabytes per second alone. It’s determined by reliability, longevity, and suitability for your use case. And on those metrics, the Evo Select frequently wins.

🚀 Ready to upgrade your storage? Check current prices for both models and choose based on real specs—not labels. Share your own experience with these cards in the comments below and help others make smarter choices.