SanDisk CFexpress 4.0 Cards: Faster Speeds, Bigger Capacities

In this article by Andy Stout for Red Shark News, SanDisk introduces its latest generation of professional media storage solutions, led by the powerful Extreme PRO CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards. Alongside these, the company has refreshed its V90 and V60 SD card lineup with increased capacities and improved performance, signaling a major step forward for filmmakers, broadcasters, and content creators working with high-resolution formats.

CFexpress 4.0 Type B: Next-Gen Performance

The standout release is the CFexpress 4.0 Type B series, delivering read speeds up to 3700 MB/s and write speeds up to 3500 MB/s through a PCIe Gen 4 interface. This effectively doubles the performance of previous CFexpress 2.0 cards, making them ideal for demanding workflows such as 8K video capture, RAW recording, and high-frame-rate production.

However, performance is not uniform across all capacities. The 2 TB and 4 TB models achieve the highest speeds and include VPG1600 certification with sustained write speeds of 3100 MB/s. The 1 TB version offers lower sustained performance, while smaller capacities—such as 128 GB and 400 GB—drop significantly to around 900 MB/s. For professionals working with cinema cameras that require guaranteed write speeds, choosing the right capacity is critical.

Built for Reliability and Efficiency

Beyond raw speed, SanDisk has enhanced these cards with practical features for real-world production environments. A new SmartIdle function helps manage heat by reducing thermal load during idle periods, improving long-term reliability. The cards are also engineered for durability, with resistance to drops of up to 5 meters and the ability to withstand bending forces up to 70 newtons—key benefits for on-location shoots.

Pricing and Value per Terabyte

Pricing is one of the most talked-about aspects of this release. The CFexpress 4.0 lineup ranges from $249 for 128 GB up to $1799 for the 4 TB model. While the top-end price may seem steep, the cost per terabyte actually improves significantly at higher capacities. The 4 TB card offers a much better value per TB compared to entry-level options, encouraging professionals to invest in larger storage solutions where possible.

Expanded SD Card Lineup: V90 and V60

SanDisk has also expanded its SD card offerings, bringing 2 TB capacities to both V90 and V60 formats. The V90 cards are optimized for high-end applications like 8K video, delivering read speeds up to 310 MB/s and write speeds up to 305 MB/s. Meanwhile, V60 cards target prosumer users capturing 6K video and high-resolution stills, with slightly lower but still impressive performance.

Interestingly, pricing between the two tiers is quite close at lower capacities, with the main difference appearing at the top end. The V90 2 TB card is priced about $200 higher than the V60 equivalent, making it a relatively accessible upgrade for users who need guaranteed high-performance recording.

Market Trends Driving Prices Up

These new releases arrive during a turbulent period for the memory market. Prices for NAND and DRAM have surged dramatically in recent months, largely driven by increased demand from AI infrastructure and data centers. This has created supply constraints and pushed up costs across the industry.

Despite the high price points, SanDisk’s new cards are largely in line with earlier forecasts, suggesting that current pricing reflects broader market realities rather than isolated product inflation. As demand continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether prices will stabilize or climb even higher throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

With the launch of its CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards and expanded SD lineup, SanDisk is pushing the boundaries of speed and capacity for professional media storage. While pricing may be a concern, the performance gains and long-term value—especially at higher capacities—make these cards a compelling option for serious content creators working at the cutting edge of video production.

Read the full article by Andy Stout for Red Shark News HERE

Learn more about SanDisk HERE