Samsung introduced the T7 at CES 2020, and it has been considered one of our favorite portable SSDs ever since. Its best weak spot is the shortage of a water or mud resistance ranking. The newest addition to Samsung’s SSD lineup, the T7 Shield, fixes that with IP65 safety and better drop resistance.
When shopping for an exterior SSD, you’re going to need one thing simple to hold with you, has quick learn and write speeds, and may securely preserve your knowledge protected. The Samsung T7 Protect checks off all of these containers.
Design and Learn/Write Pace
Coming in 3.5-inches lengthy, 2.3-inches large, and half an inch thick, the Samsung T7 Protect is roughly the scale of a handful of bank cards stacked on high of one another. It’s the proper dimension to squeeze into any tech organizer or backpack pocket.
The drive has an aluminum physique, is roofed in sturdy rubber, and contains a ridged design. It’s comparatively light-weight, coming in at 98 grams, and has a single USB-C port and an LED mild on considered one of its edges that’s strong blue when linked to a tool and blinks when knowledge is being transferred. Storage dimension, regulatory data, and mannequin data are printed on the other finish.
All I can say right here is that the development feels premium and strong. I wouldn’t be too nervous if I ever dropped the SSD onto a tough floor from desk peak. Bear in mind, although, that the rubber end will gather lint. Happily, it’s simple sufficient to wipe off any particles.
Moreover, the Samsung T7 Protect comes with premium-feeling USB-C-to-C and USB-C-to-A cables. Every cable helps the drive’s USB 3.2 gen 2 USB-C port and is round 18-inches lengthy. There isn’t a lot to say about them apart from that they’re a perfect size for carrying in a bag and supply speedy knowledge transfers.
Notice: My first assessment unit (which I used for many of my testing) was a pre-production mannequin, and its USB-C port was slightly unfastened. A lightweight nudge was sufficient to disconnect it from the drive. A remaining product that may ship to patrons was delivered to me a day earlier than the assessment was revealed, and I’m glad to report that the connection is strong and safe.
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Samsung advertises the T7 Protect as having a learn/write pace of as much as 1,050/1,000MB/s. These speeds are due to the corporate’s embedded PCIe NVMe flash memory over SATA. The latter restrict learn/write charges to slightly over 500MB/s, however Samsung’s quicker storage permits double that.
As you’ll be able to see from the benchmark scores discovered above, I used to be by no means in a position to attain that peak switch pace. Utilizing BlackMagic’s Disk Speed Test (solely out there on Mac), I used to be in a position to get simply over 800MB/s write speeds and slightly greater than 700MB/s learn speeds. These aren’t horrible speeds and are quick sufficient to make use of whereas video enhancing.
Samsung’s marketed speeds had been based mostly on inside testing, plus the corporate notes that “efficiency could range relying on host configuration.” Principally, the T7 Protect can attain its marketed speeds in good situations, however you’ll possible see charges just like mine.
Software program and Safety
The T7 Protect works with Samsung’s Portable SSD software and comes with the Home windows and Mac installers already on the drive. After putting in the appliance in your pc, you’re directed to call the SSD and requested should you’d wish to allow “Safety with Password.” Samsung makes use of AES 256-bit hardware encryption, so so long as your password is robust, your knowledge ought to keep safe.
Notice: Samsung’s Portable SSD app is also available on Android, however you’ll have to go to the Google Play Retailer to obtain it.
Take into account that you’ll must preserve the Moveable SSD software program put in in your units should you activate password safety. With out it, there isn’t any technique to unlock the drive. Fortunately, the appliance is quick to load and pops up, prompting you in your password whenever you plug the T7 Protect into your machine.
If this can be a dealbreaker for you, I like to recommend testing the Samsung T7 Touch. It’s the identical drive internally (extra on that beneath) however with a fingerprint sensor. Having the optical sensor lets you plug the SSD into any system (like an iPad or recreation console) and authenticate your self with out typing in a password.
Samsung T7 Touch SSD
Entry your password-protected knowledge with the help of this SSD’s built-in fingerprint sensor.
$139.99 
$159.99 Save 13%
After all, should you’re not nervous about securing any delicate knowledge in your T7 Protect, you don’t want to put in the Moveable SSD software program or allow password safety.
Samsung T7 Protect vs. the Common T7
The variations between the T7 Protect and the several-year-old T7 SSD are surface-level. Underneath the hood, each share similar {hardware} and supply the identical learn and write speeds. The one inside distinction (should you can name it that) is that the usual mannequin is accessible in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants, whereas the T7 Protect is just out there with 1TB or 2TB of storage.
What actually differentiates the 2 moveable drives is the T7 Protect’s sturdiness. The common T7’s aluminum casing protects your knowledge from drops as much as 6ft, however doesn’t supply any safety in opposition to the weather.
The Samsung T7 Protect, however, has a rugged rubber exterior defending its aluminum physique. It’s also IP65 water and dust resistant, which means it’s utterly dust-tight and is protected against low-pressure jets of water. It may additionally take up falls of up 9.8ft.
The T7 Sheild does price a slight premium in comparison with the usual T7, however your knowledge is healthier shielded from drops whereas on the go for the additional money.
Ought to You Purchase the Samsung T7 Protect?
When you’re available in the market for an exterior and moveable SSD, there’s little motive to keep away from the T7 Protect. It’s rugged, water and dirt resistant, has reliably quick learn and write speeds, and might match into any bag. The one motive to take a look at another choice is should you’re procuring on a funds.
The T7 Protect is available in Black, Beige, and Blue colorways, every out there with 1TB and 2TB configurations. The 1TB drive retails for $159.99, and doubling the storage will cost you $289.99. At launch, Samsung is discounting the moveable SSDs to $143.99 and $260.99, respectively.
Right here’s What We Like
- Compact and rugged design
- Quick learn/write speeds
- IP65 water and dirt resistant
And What We Do not
- Premium price ticket
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