The brand-new Insta360 GO Ultra now supports microSD cards, no longer limited to built-in storage, with expansion up to 2TB. The official recommendation is to use UHS-I, V30-rated microSD cards formatted in exFAT. The ability to freely swap memory cards is a huge advantage for users who want to record for extended periods of time.
However, there are many people who are wondering, "What is the most practical way to choose the capacity of the memory card for GO Ultra?". This review will analyze the differences in recording time, price, and practicality of SD memory cards of different capacities, and help you quickly find the most suitable choice for you.
Why does GO Ultra need a memory card?
The GO series has long used internal memory, but starting with the GO Ultra, it now supports external SD memory cards.
This means that from now on, you’ll need to use an SD memory card to store more videos.
Look at Battery Life Before Considering SD Card Capacity
The recording time of GO Ultra at full power is:
| Running Time | |
|---|---|
| 1080P 24fps | 200 mintutes |
| 4K 30fps | 170 min (2h 50 min) |
The GO Ultra supports fast charging, reaching 80% battery in just 12 minutes. Since you may recharge multiple times a day, the memory card capacity must be sufficient to handle long recording sessions with high frequency. Balancing capacity and price, my top recommendation is 256GB. This size can store about 8–9 hours of 4K video, which means even after fully recharging the GO Ultra twice, you can keep recording without worrying about running out of space.
The following is a comparison of the recording time for each capacity
| SD Card Capacity | How much 4K 30fps footage can be saved? | How much 4K 60fps footage can be saved? |
|---|---|---|
| 512GB | 20h 30min | 16h 55min |
| 256GB | 9h 47min | 8h 15min |
| 128GB | 4h 50min | 4h 5min |
| 64GB | 2h 26min | 2h 3min |
However, each memory card capacity comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, and I’ll break them down one by one to help you choose the most suitable option based on your actual needs 👍.
What Is the Best SD Card Capacity for the Insta360 GO Ultra?
512GB SD Card
The 512GB capacity is capable of storing over 20 hours of 4K video, which is quite impressive. But since the GO Ultra's battery life is limited to about 2 hours of shooting on a full charge, it's hard to use that much capacity. For the average user, this capacity is obviously too much. This class is more suited to high-end models like the Insta360 X5 or Ace Pro 2, which support 8K recording.
| 512 GB | |
| 4K30fps | 20h 3min |
| 4K60fps | 16h 55min |
256GB memory card (recommended)
The 256GB memory card holds approximately 9 hours and 47 minutes of video (4K/30fps). This is the best price/performance ratio for daily vlogging, traveling, and sports recording.
| 256 GB | |
| 4K30fps | 9h 47min |
| 4K60fps | 8h 15min |
Incidentally, the GO 3S only supports up to 128GB of internal storage, while the GO Ultra works with a 256GB SD card—offering significantly more space. Even better, after discounts, the GO Ultra standard package with 256GB SD card support is only about HK$500 / NT$1981 more than the GO 3S. This almost makes the pricing strategy obvious: “Just upgrade to the GO Ultra directly!”
128GB Memory Card
128GB memory card can store up to 4 hours and 50 minutes of video. This is the same capacity that the GO 3S comes with, which is more than enough for short vlogging sessions. However, since the official price is not much different from 256GB, the price/performance ratio is low.
| 128 GB | |
| 4K30fps | 4h 50min |
| 4K60fps | 4h 5min |
64GB Memory Card
The 64GB capacity only holds about 2 hours and 26 minutes of video, which is almost the same as the full battery life of the GO Ultra. If you're just shooting a short movie or using it for occasional use, this is a good capacity to consider, but if you're looking to record for a long period of time, 64GB is going to be quite a stretch.
| 64 GB | |
| 4K30fps | 2h 26min |
| 4K60fps | 2h 3min |
Why Is 256GB the Best SD Card Capacity for the Insta360 GO Ultra?
- Reasonable price, best value for money
- Supports nearly 10 hours of 4K shooting
- Enough to cover multi-day trips, long vlogs or sports shoots.
- The best fit for the GO Ultra, no need to worry about running out of capacity.
Taking into account both price and practical usability, I believe the most recommended memory card capacity is 256GB. This size strikes the ideal balance between recording time, cost-effectiveness, and everyday usage needs. As for brands, in addition to the official Insta360 store, Sandisk and Lexar are also good options (make sure to choose UHS-I, V30-rated cards). That said, the safest recommendation is still to purchase directly from the official Insta360 store to avoid any risk of defective cards.
| 512GB Memory Card | 256GB Memory Card | 128GB Memory Card | 64GB Memory Card | |
| 4K30fps | 20h 3min | 9h 47min | 4h 50min | 2h 26min |
| 4K60fps | 16h 55min | 8h 15min | 4h 5min | 2h 3min |
| Official Prices | $54.99 HK$395 | $29.99 HK$215 | $24.99 HK$179 | NT$441 HK$108 |
Conclusion
One of the biggest upgrades to the GO Ultra compared to the GO 3S is the elimination of the "full built-in storage" design in favor of supporting the insertion of an SD memory card.
This means that users can extend their shooting time by replacing the SD memory card, avoiding the need to frequently delete camera footage or transfer videos externally in order to save storage space, which is especially friendly to users who need to record vlogs for a long period of time.
In addition to SD card support, the GO Ultra also brings several other upgrades over the GO 3S, including improved image quality, longer battery life, and new accessory options. If you’re considering the GO Ultra, be sure to check out our full GO Ultra vs GO 3S review 👍. It will give you a clear comparison and helpful insights to guide your decision.
