Samsung T5 EVO 4TB Portable SSD: features, specs and who it suits

The Samsung T5 EVO is a portable solid-state drive, and this model holds 4TB. It plugs into a computer, camera or games console over USB and is small enough to carry in a pocket, which makes it a way to add large amounts of storage wherever you work.

Size and capacity

The drive measures about 3.7 x 1.6 x 0.7 inches (9.4 x 4.1 x 1.8 cm) and weighs around 0.2 lb (roughly 100 g). Samsung offers the T5 EVO in capacities from 2TB to 8TB, and this listing is the 4TB version. As with all drives, the usable space is somewhat smaller than the label because of formatting and the way manufacturers count terabytes.

That much space suits photo and video libraries, game collections and project archives that would not fit on a laptop's internal drive.

USB 3.2 Gen 1 and the 460MB/s figure

The drive connects via USB 3.2 Gen 1, which is the 5 Gbps version of USB (also sold under the older name USB 3.0). Samsung rates sequential read speeds at up to 460MB/s. This is the practical ceiling of that interface rather than of the flash memory, so it is much faster than a typical portable hard disk, though slower than the 10 Gbps and faster USB SSDs.

Samsung also mentions improved Intelligent TurboWrite, a technology that uses a fast buffer so that large writes start at high speed. Like all "up to" figures, real-world results depend on the host device, cable and the type of files.

Shock resistance

Samsung says the drive has shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet, based on a free fall test under controlled conditions. SSDs have no moving parts, which already makes them tougher than hard disks, but a result from a test is not a promise against every drop.

Where it works

Samsung describes it as compatible with desktops, cameras and gaming consoles, and adds that host device compatibility may vary. In particular, check what file system your device needs, since cameras and consoles often have format requirements, and some cannot use drives of very large capacity.

Who it suits

• Photographers and videographers who need to offload footage while travelling.
• Gamers who want to expand console or PC storage with a portable drive.
• Anyone who wants a large, compact backup or transfer drive.

What to check before you buy

• Ports and cable: confirm that your device has a matching USB port, or whether you need an adapter.
• Device support: check your camera's or console's manual for supported capacities and formats.
• File system: a drive may need reformatting for use with some devices, which erases its contents.
• Speed needs: if you edit high-bitrate video directly from the drive, check that 460MB/s is enough.
• Backups: a single drive is one copy; keep important files in a second place.
• What is in the box: check the contents list for cables.

The short version

• A pocket-sized external SSD, here in a 4TB capacity (the range runs 2TB to 8TB).
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 with sequential reads of up to 460MB/s.
• Fall protection up to 6 feet, per Samsung's controlled test.
• Listed for use with desktops, cameras and gaming consoles; compatibility may vary.
• Around 3.7 x 1.6 x 0.7 inches and 0.2 lb.

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