5 Best Android Phones with microSD Slot for Additional Expandable Memory

Even though the price of your average 256 GB microSD card has dropped dramatically over the last few years, many smartphone manufacturers are still reluctant to equip their devices with more internal storage space. Most mid-range smartphones come with just 64 GB of storage space, and the situation isn’t all that better in the high-end segment, where 128 GB is the norm.


At A Glance: Android Phones with microSD Slot


ProductBrandNamePrice
41MotorolaMoto ZCheck Price on Amazon
51PpzAlitpL. SL500ZTEZTE Axon 7 UnlockedCheck Price on Amazon
41up5eoMMCS. SL500SAMSUNGSamsung Galaxy S20+ 5GCheck Price on Amazon
51TXG h+ lL. SL500LGLG K92 5GCheck Price on Amazon
410cOZIFzBL. SL500LG2016 LG V20 F800Check Price on Amazon

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With so many AAA Android games requiring more than 1 GB of space, it’s incredibly easy to completely run out of free space after just a few days with your new smartphone. Add in full HD video recordings, high-resolution pictures, offline GPS navigation, and it becomes obvious why it’s such a good idea to purchase an Android phone with a microSD slot for additional expandable memory.

These days, most smartphones with a microSD card slot support up to 256 GB microSD cards. But unless you really need as much space as you can get, a more modest 32 GB or 64 GB card offers much better card costs twice as much, and the price doubles once again as you move up to 512 GB. Of course, there are other manufacturers besides Samsung, so you have plenty of options to choose from.

Best Android Phones with microSD Slot for Additional Expandable Memory

91DBPouuFkL. SX500

1. ZTE Axon 7

The Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company headquartered in Shenzhen has successfully released another affordable flagship device to compete with some of the more recognized brands out there. If we had to sum up the Axon 7 in just one sentence, we would call it “an affordable premium Android experience.”

What exactly makes the ZTE Axon 7 so premium? The Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4 GB of RAM, for starters. Also, the presence of two flagship audio processors, AK4961 and AK4490, which provide the highest level of audio quality with up to 32-bit Hi-Fi playback and recording. The Axon 7 has two built-in speakers on the front side, which sound utterly fantastic. They are as loud and clear as many smaller Bluetooth speakers on the market.

The design of the smartphone was conceived in cooperation with Designworks, a subsidiary of BWM Group, to create all-metal unibody that’s easy to hold in one hand. The backside houses a fingerprint reader and a 20 MP camera with F1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization for stellar low light performance.

What Users Like

  • Affordable
  • Plenty of internal storage space
  • Excellent front-facing speakers
  • A microSD card slot
  • Premium design
  • Vibrant display


Buy on Amazon


71se2LK4Y5L. SL1500

2. Motorola Moto Z

As much as we love what LG has done with the LG G5, it’s Motorola who made the modular design compelling and fun to use. The Moto Z has magnetic metal pins on the back side, which are used to attach Moto Mods, Motorola’s range of interchangeable backs.

These backs easily snap onto any Moto Z using integrated magnets. The smartphone then instantly recognizes which Moto Mod has been attached without the need to first reboot the phone as you must do with the LG G5. There’s a camera attachment from Hasselblad, which features 10x optical zoom, Xenon flash, RAW format shots, and legendary Hasselblad design and ergonomics combine for unparalleled experiences and images. Other attachments include a speaker from JBL, a compact projector, a power pack for up to 22 hours of extra battery life, and a classy back case made from premium materials, such as real wood and genuine leather.

As for the smartphone itself, it comes with a Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 chipset, Adreno 530 GPU, 5.5” AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, a dedicated microSD card slot, and a non-removable Li-Ion 2600 mAh battery. It’s a shame that Motorola has omitted the 3.5mm audio connector, forcing users to rely on a single USB Type-C 1.0 reversible connector.

What Users Like

  • Thin and well built
  • Modular accessories
  • Flagship specifications
  • USB-C port


Buy on Amazon


41up5eoMMCS. SL500

3. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

Our love for the Galaxy S7 Edge is probably obvious at this point, and you shouldn’t be surprised. After all, Samsung has cooked up a truly amazing flagship smartphone that has something for everyone. If style and design are at the very top of your list of priorities, the stunning curved Dynamic AMOLED 2X capacitive touchscreen.

If you consider performance to be the one and only true benchmark for every high-end device, the S20 and its Exynos 990  chipset, Adreno 650 GPU, and 12GB of RAM will be right up your alley.

Or you may rely on your smartphone to record quality videos and shoot vibrant pictures of some of the most important moments of your life—the Samsung Galaxy S20 ultra and its 108 MP primary camera with phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization has your back once again.

Add in the USB Power Delivery 3.0, which charges a completely empty battery to 60% in 30 minutes, a microSD card slot that supports up to 1TB cards.

What Users Like

  • Gorgeous curved display
  • Fantastic camera
  • Long battery life
  • Compatible with Gear VR
  • Water-resistant
  • Support for up to 1TB microSD cards


Buy on Amazon




51TXG h+ lL. SL500

4. LG K92 5G

It seems that someone over at LG has decided that it’s time to prove to the world that the South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation can produce a device capable of competing with Google, Apple, Samsung, and other big names. LG knew that the only way for them to succeed is to offer something different.

The LG K92 5G is a multimedia powerhouse with professional-grade audio hardware and a spectacular wide-angle camera, among many other features. The default camera app allows you to capture high-quality audio on the go with the ability to tape over a separate track. You can then listen to the recording through wired headphones or speakers, using the built-in Hi-Fi DAC to get crisp, full sound.

On the front of the LG K92 5G is a quad rear-camera array wide-angle camera with 64 MP resolution. Turn the phone around, and you’ll discover a dual-camera setup with a 135-degree perspective and fantastic low-light performance.

Right out of the box, the smartphone ships with Android 10, bringing all the highly anticipated new features, including split-screen multi-window, streamlined notifications with a direct reply, and improvements to battery performance. A nice extra bonus is the second screen that has been added on top of the main 6.7-inch Quad HD display. It shows important notifications and shortcuts to favorite apps and settings, so you don’t have to waste time digging through complicated menu structures.

What Users Like

  • Removable battery
  • Wide-angle camera
  • Audiophile sound quality
  • Powerful hardware
  • Very bright display
  • Second screen

Buy on Amazon


41bYzLW0IyL. SL500

5. LG G5

Over the years, there have been several attempts to produce a modular smartphone that would allow customers to seamlessly swap parts and customize the device to their liking. The G5 from LG is likely the first smartphone to get it right.

Unlike its predecessors, the LG G5 understands that the average customer couldn’t care less about the internals, the number of processor cores, or the total amount of RAM. The average owner of a flagship device expects flawless performance and a full range of features right out of the box. That’s why LG has focused on how users actually use their devices, with the intention to identify the most common pain points.

The company has realized that some users rely on their smartphone’s camera much more than others, while another group of users refuses to purchase any smartphone that doesn’t ship with a removable battery.

The LG G5’s modular design lets you simply slide the battery out and replace it with a fresh one. It also makes it possible to enhance your camera experience with the CAM Plus camera grip with physical camera controls, including a dedicated shutter button and zoom wheel.

Aside from the smartphone’s modularity, the G5 is a fantastic flagship device with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4 GB of RAM, 5.3” IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, and a microSD card slot that supports up to 256 GB large cards.

What Users Like

  • Strong performance
  • Wide-angle camera
  • Removable battery
  • Modular design
  • USB-C port
  • Always on display

Buy on Amazon


Best Android Phones with microSD Slot for Additional Expandable Memory Conclusion

No matter which Android smartphone with a microSD card slot you ultimately decide to purchase, it’s always a good idea to check whether it supports your microSD card of choice. Generally speaking, all microSD cards up to 64 GB in size should work with no problems whatsoever. It’s only once you move up to 128 GB and beyond that you may run into compatibility issues. Online forums are your best friend, so don’t be afraid to ask on community sites like XDA or reddit. In most cases, you can expect to get an answer within the first 24 hours.

ProductBrandNamePrice
41MotorolaMoto ZCheck Price on Amazon
51PpzAlitpL. SL500ZTEZTE Axon 7 UnlockedCheck Price on Amazon
41up5eoMMCS. SL500SAMSUNGSamsung Galaxy S20+ 5GCheck Price on Amazon
51TXG h+ lL. SL500LGLG K92 5GCheck Price on Amazon
410cOZIFzBL. SL500LG2016 LG V20 F800Check Price on Amazon

* If you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more details, please visit our Privacy policy page.

One Comment

  1. I made a BIG decision ( for me ) – that was to leave the APPLE family as far iPhones are concerned. There was only one thing that prompted that decision – the space issue . 128 Gb is a nice high ceiling , but it is still a ceiling. I liked what I could do with the Samsung Galaxy 7 Edge . I am VERY much past the fancy features curved edge and info on that edge.
    It gets hot if I do too much, the Date format cannot be adjusted to my liking , and it’s a lot harder to navigate.
    Games I used to play on my iPhone don’t do quite so well on the Samsung Galaxy7 Edge. I get a warning to go somewhere with wifi.
    That’s a total of 2 strikes as far as this is concerned
    Navigation of the device I take as a learning experience, but I am not happy with the way this setup.
    I guess Apple spoiled me with its features.
    The Samsung Galaxy Edge 7 I think may DEFINITELY be parting ways shortly!
    Your article has I think given me some hope . MicroSd is definitely the way for me . Thank you for sharing the information!!

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