With USB Type-C ports found on many PC's and mobile devices, it should be inevitable that more storage devices support USB Type-C like the Kingston DataTraveler microDuo 3C and SanDisk 64G Dual Drive USB-C Flash Drive. In Japan retail stores like Yodobashi Camera, USB Type-C stroage drives are still scarce and the Samsung Portable SSD T3 was the only one I could find at the Yodobashi Camera next to Osaka Station in Japan.
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 is the first USB Type-C enabled ultra portable SSD storage solution released in the market. Samsung had top aisle-end shelf space position close to the cash registers to promote the Samsung Portable SSD T3 in addition to a smaller display section inside the aisle.
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 supports USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gb/s) speeds over USB Type-C. Unlike a USB flash drive that has a USB Type-A plug, the Samsung Portable SSD T3 has a USB Type-C receptacle meaning you need a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable (like this one from Apple).
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 comes in different storage capacities such as 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.
I opened the Samsung Portable SSD T3 at a Starbucks in Singapore's Suntec City.
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 packaging is extremely light given the Samsung Portable SSD T3 itself is very light and portable.
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 comes with a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable to connect to PC's and Mac's with USB Type-A ports. You will need to supply your own USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable to connect to devices that have USB Type-C ports.
Not only is the Samsung Portable SSD T3 extremely portable, it looks good as well. With the USB Type-C port, Samsung could make the Samsung Portable SSD T3 extremely thin and compact.
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 draws 5 Volts @ .7 Amps so you need to make sure the device that you attach it to can provide at least that amount of current. All PC's and Mac's supporting USB 3.1 should be able to provide this current. Certain USB Type-C enabled phones like the LG G5 and LG Google Nexus 5X can provide enough current to support the Samsung Portable SSD T3.
Note the Samsung Portable SSD T3 comes preformatted using exFAT which is readable by PC's, Mac's, and certain phones like the LG G5. For other phones like the LG Google Nexus 5X, you will need to format this drive to MS-DOS (FAT).
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 claims a max transfer speed of 450 MB/s and also supports AES 256-bit hardware based encryption technology so you can secure your drive's content with a password.
With SSD technology making their way from internal and external PC storage applications to now ultra-portable mobile drives, users can now take advantage of the super fast transfer speeds enabled by SSD technology anywhere they go. With USB Type-C, the Samsung Portable SSD T3 makes it even easier to have a single portable storage solution for your notebook, tablet, and smartphone.
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