Smartphone/Data storage

Mobile data storage types
Note: For fairness and due weight, strong benefits add two points, and strong shortcomings subtract a point rather than none, as marked in respective cells.
Internal storage Memory card USB On-the-go Cloud storage Home server
Privacy Local Local Local Questionable – No hardware ownership, thus lack of technical control. Home
Dependence on Internet access and cellular data No No No Dependent Dependent if accessed remotely
Transfer rates High – only bound by technical limits. Low – downloaded from someone else's computer – dependent on internet speed; may be additionally throttled by freemium services. Moderate through local area network, otherwise limited by internet speed.
Latency None None None High High
Mass storage access Infeasible Yes Yes No physical access Yes
Handset ergonomy Yes Yes Compromised – protrudes from USB port (-1) Yes Yes
Backups Difficult (-1) Simple – disk imaging Slow Yes
Defect retrieval No Removable External Remote Home
Data recovery No Mass storage Mass storage provider-dependent Mass storage
File transfer between devices Relatively slow – Bluetooth/WiFi Direct/MTP through desktop OS computer Immediate – modular Immediate – modular Relatively slow – downloading Relatively slow – downloading
Remote retrieval No No No Yes (+2 for fairness) Yes (+2 for fairness)
Remote account termination Infeasible Infeasible Infeasible At provider's discretion Infeasible
Difficulty of installation Pre-included (+2) Low Low Low High in comparison (-1)
Verdict score 7 12 10 5 9

See also

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