How to check a SanDisk Ultra microSD card before buying

Hi!

Before using this guide: the photographs and packaging observations below are examples from particular SanDisk Ultra generations. Packaging, colours and markings can change by model, market and production batch. Compare the exact product code and capacity, and ask SanDisk Support for help if anything is inconsistent.

 In this post I'm going to describe packaging and product details to check before buying a SanDisk Ultra microSD memory card. No single visual feature can confirm authenticity. As an authorised SANDISK partner for many years we did seen a lot of offers of counterfeit products, and hope this guide migjht help you to make a right purchase decision - disregarding if you purchase it from our store ( preferred 😉) or from another official SanDisk partner.

This post will only cover SanDisk products, however please check our news feed and i plan to share the information of how to recognise counterfeit Kingston memory card, fake Lexar products and how to ensure your PNY or Verbatim memory card is genuine.

There is hundreds of posts of how to determine fake SanDisk card by testing it with H2Testw and checking serial with SanDisk Support but non of them provide helpful information of how to do this before opening the package and testing the card. 

When you opened a package it might be a reason for seller to decline your return request, or you may face a lot of arguing with the seller, which you want to avoid. 

 So here is some specific points at the blister pack to look at, when checking a Genuine SanDisk card.  This blog shows SanDisk Ultra examples. Do not assume that the same packaging details apply to other generations or ranges, such as Extreme and Extreme PRO ranges, niche Outdoors FHD and 4K collections, as well as latest Ultra GO and Extreme GO versions. 

Also same blister shape is shared across the 2026 models of SanDisk Extreme PRO with new logo design, and High Endurance/ Max Endurance models. 

Genuine is on the left.

      Let's start with inspecting the blister backing card rear part:

In the packaging examples shown here, heat sealing leaves an indentation around the perimeter, including two small half circles at the top. Check the quality of the sealing and the retail hook cut-out, but do not treat either feature as proof: packaging methods and finish can vary, and counterfeit packaging may copy them.

Another specific thing i noticed- SanDisk emboss their logo on top of the printed logo at the left top corner- it is not always perfectly match the printed and might be misaligned though - this is normal. 

 I believe it is additional security feature used by the SanDisk packaging team to fight counterfeit products.  Another specific embossing i noticed, was sort of cavities in a random shape to the top right corner, just where the tick boxes are. I think it is because of some technological process, but this observation alone cannot confirm whether a card is genuine. 

Also do check the EAN ( Barcode numbers ) to match the product you purchased. As well as Part Numbers.  Examples of SanDisk Ultra microSD product codes discussed here are shown below. These are not a complete list of current generations; match the exact code and capacity to the product listing:

SDSQUA4-032G-GN6MA - 32GB 120MB/s

SDSQUAB-064G-GN6MA - 64GB 140MB/s

SDSQUAB-128G-GN6MA - 128GB 120MB/s

SDSQUA4-256G-GN6MA - 256GB 120MB/s

        I seen many fake cards,  where packaging manufacturers not even bothered to change the barcodes or product codes and 16GB, 64GB and even 128GB cards has been marked with the 32GB card corresponding MPN/barcode.  Also very common mistake, which manufacturers of the copy cards make,  is to declare 100MB/s speed for 16GB and 32GB Ultra in RED/GREY design (product code  SDSQUAR-032G....). These colour and speed comparisons concern the older product generations discussed here, not every SanDisk Ultra card. An unexpected combination is a reason to verify the exact model with SanDisk Support, not proof of a counterfeit on its own.

      Now let's look at the front part:

The genuine blister example shown below has slight indentations on its sides.

The counterfeit example shown has straight sides without those indents. This difference is specific to these examples, not a universal authenticity test.

Look thorough the plastic blister which holds the card - you should be able to see very tiny dots on the sealing film, which seas the blister with the card and adapter. These dots are part of the sealing process.

The counterfeit example discussed here uses a clamshell-style blister without the same back sealing film. Check the packaging for the exact generation rather than treating a clamshell or missing film alone as proof of a counterfeit. 

Inspect the quality of print - Genuine SanDisk Ultra microSD card does have high resolution print with no faded or non readable areas.  Also i suggest to check the text ULTRA - it have a colour gradient- from darker at the bottom to lighter at the top. MicroSD memory card copies usually does not have this. Poor print, inconsistent fonts or misplaced logos are reasons to investigate further, but do not establish authenticity on their own. 

     That's all visual differences i noticed, and if you satisfied with what you see from outside, next step is to open blister.  Cut it with scissors at the top (there is a cut line on the back) - please do not force the card out in the way you take the pills from blister - you most likely will end up with broken memory card.

Take out the PET blister and inspect. First of all it should not be a clamshell, but the PET thermoformed blister, heat sealed with the transparent PP film at the back. If the packaging differs, check the exact model and generation with SanDisk Support rather than deciding from the film alone.  It also should have a polymer recycling symbol (PET), couple of technological markings (probably cavity and batch numbers) and OPEN  mark at the corner. This is the place where you should pull the film off to take the card out. 

     If there is something what ring the bells, you can see the serial number and batch details thorough the film, without taking the card out. 

 So if you still in doubt, please contact the SanDisk Customer Support for help. 

Please note they not always are able to give you a 100% assurance as they only have images to check, and even might say that the genuine card is fake. So if you think the seller, you bought it from, is reputable and card should be genuine, please ask CS to raise it to L2 Engineer to double check. These guys are highly experienced and will give you very precise answer, matching the production codes to database. This might take few days though. 

I hope this article would be helpful. 

 Feel free to contact me should you have any questions, or you have a suggestion of the topic you willing to read the information about. And i will do my best to write such a blog for you! 

 And certainly please feel free to visit my webshop to purchase genuine SanDisk Ultra microSDHC and microSDXC memory cards, as well as other models, like SanDisk Extreme, Extreme Pro, High Endurance and the Nintendo Switch Licensed Memory cards. 100% Genuine SanDisk  :)

Thanks for reading!