Updated 1/13/08 - We receive a large number of emails regarding SDHC and microSDHC cards and the problems users experience when trying to use these cards with their Windows Mobile handhelds. Many users believe they're doing something wrong or that their handheld is malfunctioning when the SDHC card fails to work with their Windows Mobile device. But fear not, dear friend; you are not the problem, nor is there anything wrong with your PDA or smartphone.  SDHC cards - including SDHC, miniSDHC and microSDHC cards - are not compatible with Windows Mobile devices sold before mid 2007 in the United States and Europe, and, in fact, are compatible with relatively few non-Windows Mobile devices on the market as a whole.  Most Windows Mobile 6 devices are SDHC Compatible; for a list of Windows Mobile devices with SDHC support, click here.

Unlike CompactFlash memory cards, which feature integrated hardware controllers within the card itself, SD and SDHC cards depend on the card reader for hardware control. Because the faster and higher capacity SDHC cards require updated controllers, current SD card readers aren't able to use them. This includes the readers in most digital cameras, MP3 players, Smartphones and Pocket PCs. 

Although there have been few announcements on the subject, Windows Mobile 6 is SDHC friendly out of the box, though not every WM6 handheld is SDHC compatible.  View current Windows Mobile devices which support SDHC. Most, if not all, Pocket PC, PDA Phone and Smartphone manufacturers will incorporate SDHC readers in current and future handhelds. These updated readers will be able to use all Secure Digital cards, both standard SD and the updated SDHC.

SDHC cards are labeled with the updated logo shown on the card above, though manufacturers aren't doing an adequate job of educating consumers about the requirements for using SDHC memory cards.  SDHC and microSDHC cards offer capacities of 4GB and greater.  There are also 4GB SD cards available which are not SDHC, but all 4GB+ microSDHC cards are SDHC.

 

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