The newest innovation in portable storage is stick SSDs, which resemble traditional USB drives but contain an internal SSD. This design allows these drives to achieve transfer speeds of 1,000MB/s — ten times faster than standard drives. I used the Teamgroup X1 Max for the past six months, and it significantly simplified accessing large data volumes while on the move.
Seagate has also entered the market with the Ultra Compact SSD; true to its name, this drive is meant for portability and resembles a regular flash drive, albeit slightly taller. It is available in a 1TB version for just $84, and I’m using the 2TB variant, priced at $149.
This SSD is significantly smaller than most typical external SSDs, like the Samsung T7 and Crucial X10 Pro, and its cable-free design allows for convenient use anywhere. It connects via USB-C, and I encountered no issues using it with devices such as the Vivo X200 Pro, Huawei Mate XT, Find X8 Ultra, and the iPad Pro M4. When transferring data from my internal SSD on a Windows machine, I consistently observed transfer speeds reaching 910MB/s.
Although the drive tends to warm up slightly during lengthy transfers, this has not been an issue in the month I’ve used it. Weighing only 24g, it’s incredibly portable, and Seagate includes a silicone protective sleeve that efficiently safeguards both the drive and the USB-C connector. The drive boasts IP54 dust and water resistance, although this is contingent on using the protective sleeve.
Additionally, there’s a lanyard included for attaching the drive to a keyring. Its compact size, along with solid build quality, makes it an excellent choice for rugged portable storage. Notably, the chassis is made of aluminum, utilizing 35% recycled materials in its construction.
The USB-C port adheres to the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard, supporting a 10Gbps bandwidth. A small LED serves as a status indicator, and throughout regular use, I experienced no issues with the drive. It was recognized instantly on Windows, Android, iOS, and my iPads, and data transfers were seamless. However, it lacks built-in password protection — an area where Samsung’s SSDs have a definite edge.
Stick SSDs are generally more convenient to use with smartphones than traditional external SSDs, eliminating the hassle of misplaced cables. Seagate has done an exceptional job with the Ultra Compact, making it small enough for effortless portability, simple to connect to any USB-C device, and capable of ultra-fast data transfers. Thus, if you’re looking to boost your phone’s storage or need a reliable external SSD for on-the-go data backups, the Seagate Ultra Compact is an outstanding option.
The Ultra Compact is smaller than other external SSDs, but you still get a durable design and the same 1,000MB/s bandwidth when transferring data.