You're looking for a new portable SSD, but which one is right for you? Because so many people, so many needs, and therefore so many portable SSDs. In this article, we highlight three premium Samsung models for you and tell you why they are good choices.
First things first. What exactly is the difference between a portable SSD and, say, a hard disk drive (HDD)? The biggest advantage of an external SSD is that it’s fast read and write speed. A Samsung SSD reads and writes up to 1050MB/s compared to 100 to 200MB/s for an HDD. As a result, you transfer data on an SSD in just seconds instead of minutes. And where SSDs used to have a smaller storage space, they are now no longer inferior to HDDs. Samsung now has external SSDs with storage of up to 4TB, for example.
Another advantage of a portable SSD over an HDD is its durability. Because a SSD has no moving elements, it lasts much longer than an HDD. An HDD is more susceptible to damage from dropping, for example. The loose parts can break more quickly, increasing the chances of data loss. Portable SSDs have quiet, non-moving parts, making them less likely to be damaged. This also allows the enclosure to be much more compact. This makes a SSD more suitable and reliable for external storage on the move.
Now that you know the benefits of a portable SSD, the question arises: why exactly should I choose a Samsung SSD? Samsung has been the No.1 in flash memory since 2013 and is constantly working on optimizing its products. Currently, Samsung carries the T7 portable SSD. The T7 is available within three series: the T7, the T7 Shield and the T7 Touch.
The portable SSD T7 transfers files at lightning speed, thanks to USB 3.2 Gen 2 and a read speed of up to 1050MB/s and write speed of up to 1,000MB/s. It is almost 9.5x faster than an external HDD and can even handle 12K video recording. You can choose storage capacities of 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. You take it with you on the move with confidence, as it has a sturdy metal casing that protects against drops up to 2 metres. Your files are secured with a password of your choice.
The T7 Shield offers all the features of the T7, but as the name suggests, the Shield version is extra rugged and durable. It has an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance. It has a heat regulating system and rubber casing, making it drop-proof up to 3 metres. There is no shortage of storage capacity, as the Shield is available in 1TB, 2TB and even 4TB variants.
Do you want maximum security and only be able to access your files yourself? The T7 Touch is not only password-protectable, but also via your fingerprint. Plus, you enjoy the same fast transfer speeds as the T7 (Shield) and Samsung's strong metal casing. The Touch is available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB.
We have listed all the features of the T7 series for you below, so that you can see at a glance which Samsung portable SSD suits you best.
|
T7 |
T7 Shield |
T7 Touch |
||
| Storage capacity | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | |
| Reading speed | Up to 1050MB/s | Up to 1050MB/s | Up to 1050MB/s | |
| Writing speed | Up to 1000MB/s | Up to 1000MB/s | Up to 1000MB/s | |
| Colour | Blue, grey, red | Blue, beige, black | Black, silver | |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps) | USB 3.2 Gen.2 (10Gbps) | USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps) | |
| Security | AES 256 password | AES 256 password | AES 256 password and fingerprint | |
| Drop-proof | To 2 meters | To 3 meters | To 2 meters | |
| Dimensions | 85 x 57 x 8mm | 59 x 88 x 13mm | 85 x 57 x 8mm | |
| Weight | 58 grams | 98 grams | 58 grams | |