Should you buy the Samsung T7 Portable SSD In 2024?

Summary

The Samsung T7 is a sleek, minimal, and reliable portable SSD, ideal for users in 2024 looking for fast and compact storage. It offers solid read and write speeds, especially when formatted in APFS, and includes useful cables for diverse setups. With a lightweight design, a three-year warranty, and cross-platform compatibility, it stands out for tasks like video recording, file transfer, and photo storage. While not the fastest option available, its speed is more than sufficient for most users. For those needing higher durability or faster speeds, the T7 Shield or T9 models may be better choices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Samsung T7 is a sleek, lightweight, and compact portable SSD that remains reliable even in 2024.
• 😀 The T7 includes a USB-C to USB-A cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable, offering flexibility in use.
• 😀 The drive's speed varies based on formatting: around 828 MB/s read and 680 MB/s write with exFAT, and 820 MB/s read and 800 MB/s write with APFS on a Mac.
• 😀 The T7 measures 3.3 inches deep, 2.2 inches wide, and 0.3 inches thick, weighing only 2.5 ounces.
• 😀 The Samsung T7 has a 3-year warranty and can withstand drops up to 6.5 feet, but it lacks an official IP rating for water resistance.
• 😀 The Samsung T7 is compatible across multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, and iOS, ensuring great cross-platform usability.
• 😀 Speed tests show that the T7 can transfer 50 GB in about 1 minute, but it's slower than newer Thunderbolt drives on Mac.
• 😀 It's ideal for tasks like video editing or offloading files directly from a camera, although it's slower than built-in Mac SSDs.
• 😀 The T7 is available in 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB sizes, with fluctuating prices based on sales and promotions.
• 😀 For higher durability and faster speeds, Samsung offers the T7 Shield (IP65 rating and 9.5 ft drop resistance) and the T9 (up to 2,000 MB/s speeds with Dual Lane).
• 😀 The T7 is recommended for gamers, photographers, video editors, or anyone needing fast external storage, but it's not the fastest option for heavy data transfer.

Q & A

What makes the Samsung T7 SSD a popular choice in 2024?

The Samsung T7 SSD is known for its sleek, minimal design, lightweight build, and reliability. It performs well across various platforms, making it a versatile choice even in 2024.

What cables are included with the Samsung T7 SSD?

The Samsung T7 SSD comes with two cables: a USB-C to USB-A cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable. Both cables are of medium length, which is ideal for flexibility in positioning the drive.

What are the read and write speeds of the Samsung T7 SSD?

On macOS, using the APFS format, the Samsung T7 SSD typically achieves read speeds of around 820 MB/s and write speeds of around 800 MB/s. In exFAT format, it achieves read speeds of about 828 MB/s and write speeds of 680 MB/s.

What is the warranty and durability of the Samsung T7 SSD?

The Samsung T7 SSD comes with a three-year warranty and can withstand drops of up to 6.5 feet. However, it lacks an official IP rating for water or dust resistance.

How does the Samsung T7 compare to the T7 Shield in terms of durability?

The Samsung T7 Shield is designed to be more durable than the T7, offering an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance and a higher drop protection of up to 9.5 feet.

Can the Samsung T7 be used for video recording and editing?

Yes, the Samsung T7 is great for video recording, especially with cameras like those from SmallRig, and offers fast offloading speeds. It's also effective for video editing, but for intensive projects, the built-in SSD of a computer may offer better performance.

What are the potential drawbacks of using the Samsung T7 for large file transfers?

While the Samsung T7 is fast for most tasks, during long file transfers (especially 500 GB or more), the transfer speed may slow down over time. It's not ideal for transferring a large number of files at once compared to more professional-grade SSDs.

What software does the Samsung T7 use for encryption, and are there any limitations?

The Samsung T7 can be encrypted using Samsung's Magician software. However, if the drive is encrypted, it cannot be used on iPhones or iPads, and the software may work better on Windows than on macOS.

What is the difference between the Samsung T7 and the Samsung T9 SSD?

The Samsung T9 is a faster SSD that supports speeds up to 2,000 MB/s but requires a Dual Lane standard, which means macOS users won't be able to reach those speeds. The T7 is still a great option for those who prioritize sleekness and portability.

Who is the Samsung T7 SSD ideal for?

The Samsung T7 is ideal for gamers, photographers, video editors, and anyone needing a fast, portable, and reliable external drive for backing up data or expanding storage. It's also suitable for recording and editing media files directly on the drive.