Which card format is commonly used in portable devices for non-volatile memory?

The Secure Digital (SD) card format is widely used in portable devices for non-volatile memory due to its compact size, versatility, and ability to store substantial amounts of data. SD cards are particularly popular in devices such as cameras, smartphones, and tablets because they offer various storage capacities ranging from a few megabytes to several terabytes, making them suitable for a broad range of applications.

In addition to storage capacity, SD cards have standardized form factors that ensure compatibility among various devices. They also support multiple speed classes, which helps in managing how quickly data can be read or written, thus enhancing performance depending on the use case.

While other card formats, such as Flash Drives and Compact Flash, have their specific applications, they may not provide the same level of widespread compatibility and convenience that SD cards do in portable devices. Similarly, Micro SD cards, although also used in portable devices and often preferred for their smaller size, are technically a subset of the SD card format and are frequently used in conjunction with SD adapters for broader compatibility.