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But then the project grows.
Now you want to support OTA updates. Maybe you’re storing logs, UI assets, or even a small ML model. That cute little 512KB of flash you started with? Suddenly, it’s not cutting it.
When It’s Time to Go External 💾 This is the moment you start eyeing external flash options. SPI NOR flash, FRAM, maybe even NAND if you’re working with serious data. Going external means opening up way more storage—and unlocking new capabilities like dual firmware partitions, file systems, and high-speed data logging.
And let’s not forget the interfaces. QSPI or Octal SPI can give you the bandwidth to actually run code straight from flash (hello, XIP). Pretty slick.
But it’s not all upside. More parts mean more complexity. More power draw. More surface area for security issues. So, is it worth it?
🤔 Ask Yourself... - Is your firmware bigger than 1MB?
- Are you planning OTA updates?
- Do you need to log data for hours, days, or weeks?
- Are you storing assets or running models?
If you said yes to any of these, you’re probably ready to go external.
It’s Not About “More,” It’s About “Right” 🧩 At the end of the day, the question isn’t “how much flash is too much?” It’s “what kind of memory setup makes the most sense for this design?”
For simple devices? Internal flash is your best friend. For feature-rich, future-proof products? External flash gives you room to grow.
So next time you’re sizing up storage, don’t just max out your memory for the sake of it. Think about how your system will run, evolve, and be supported in the real world. Because the best flash choice? It’s the one that lets your MCU do exactly what it needs—no more, no less.
What’s the weirdest or most clever memory workaround you’ve used?
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