Why does this from Sandisk sound oppisite ?
Single-level cell (SLC) and multi-level cell (MLC) Flash memory are similar in their design.
MLC Flash devices cost less and allow for higher storage density.
SLC Flash devices provide faster write performance and greater reliability, even at temperatures above the operating range of MLC Flash devices.
These factors make SLC Flash a good fit in embedded systems, while MLC flash makes it possible to create affordable mobile devices with large amounts of data storage.
In order to select the right Flash memory for an application, it is important to analyze the how it will be used.
For example, product developers integrating memory into a portable barcode reader will most likely need SLC Flash since performance and durability are important.
On the other hand, a company building a portable media player will need the low cost and high density of MLC to price their device competitively.
SLC Flash is used in commercial and industrial applications that require high performance and long-term reliability.
Some applications include industrial grade Compact Flash cards or Solid State Drives (SSDs).
MLC Flash is used in consumer applications that do not require long term reliability such as consumer grade USB Flash drives, portable media players, and Compact Flash cards.
The read speeds between SLC and MLC are comparable. Reading the level of the Flash cell compares the threshold voltage using a voltage comparator. Thus, the architecture change does not affect sensing.
In general, the read speeds of Flash are determined by which controller is used.
The endurance of SLC Flash is 10x more than MLC Flash.
The endurance of MLC Flash decreases due to enhanced degradation of the substrate.
This is a main reason why SLC Flash is considered industrial grade Flash and MLC Flash is considered consumer grade Flash.
Higher temperatures cause more leakage in the cells. Combined with the increased sensitivity required to differentiate between the levels, this leakage will cause the sensors to read the wrong level.
As a result, the operating temperature of MLC spans only the commercial range.
Leakage is not significant in SLC Flash and thus, it can operate in an industrial temperature range.
Then, it is important to evaluate what type of Flash memory your system needs.
If performance and durability are essential for your system, SLC Flash incorporated.
If low cost and high density are essential, MLC Flash is the right choice.
The high-performance MLC technology with three bits per cell, is commonly referred to as Triple Level Cell (TLC), which uses eight states
We will be switching our production from using 8GB TLC type SD cards to 4GB MLC type SD cards (we actually originally provided 4GB TLC cards then did an unadvertised change to 8GB).
All devices will eventually wear out an SD card (if it does any writing at all). I typically have to replace my dashcam's 2 cards every 3 months or so. It is just the nature of the SD technology.
The benefit of MLC, and what makes it worth us changing even though it will be at a lower (but still the advertised) capacity, is that MLC NAND memory has a tremendously longer life. It is recommended for use in dashcams, security video cams, and other devices that do intense data writing. They advertise up to 12,000 hours of continuous video writing before failure (in 64GB cards).
So, when you go to replace your card, we are now highly recommending you get an MLC type card. They are typically advertised as "industrial" or "high endurance." Here is an example of one on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-In...F8&qid=1474011547&sr=8-1&keywords=mlc+sd+card
For the capacity, the price isn't unreasonable, either.
