Connecting fast and portable SSD storage to your phone is easier than you think
Except for the headphone jack, I mourn the removal of dedicated microSD card slots on smartphones the most. They may be rendered unnecessary with 128GB base storage on the best Android phones, but you can never have too much storage for high-res video, gaming, and other tasks. The importance of storage is compounded when you use a tablet as a laptop replacement . Expandable external storage options are expensive and redundancy-prone, but Satechi's latest accessory was the solution that worked for me.
Google, Samsung, and gadgets from other big tech brands now skimp on dedicated slots for expandable storage, forcing you to choose between a second SIM or additional memory. This is an unfair trade-off, but most buyers swallow their bitterness since it's an easier choice than forking out more cash for additional internal storage. My other complaint with cloud storage is the monetization strategy that ties you to a subscription you will likely never cancel unless you switch providers or build your own NAS (Network Attached Storage).
Cloud storage is not a permanent solution
Take physical control of your data
Google seemingly wants to be extra sure with customer retention tricks ranging from nostalgic Memories in Google Photo s to AI that better understands context when you share documents from Docs or Drive. Both features are available for free only until your quota runs out. That happens quickly, with high-res cameras spitting out massive file sizes, ready access to 4K video recording at 60FPS, and because your Drive storage is shared by all Google services, including workspace apps, and even WhatsApp backups .
Cloud storage is convenient, and millions are ready to pay for it, but it has its limitations, such as the danger of a security breach you cannot stop. As such, I find external storage advantageous even for Android users since you physically possess your data stored on a drive. The NAS storage I mentioned earlier is great for bulk storage, like backups you would otherwise relegate to the cloud, but for most users, a portable external drive is a more convenient option.
That's where Satechi's new M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure comes in. It is a versatile solution to the woes of portable external drives. The conventional hard drives need careful handling and aren't as fast as flash storage like that found in dual-ended OTG drives, but the latter cannot sustain high-speed read and write operations. In my experience, these flash drives aren't too reliable either, with a lifespan of a few years. So, an enclosure that houses a solid-state drive is ideal, and Satechi made that product super-portable. It doesn't get the redundancy-proofing you enjoy with a NAS, but that's fair trade for the superior portability in my books.
Good design precedes good performance
Keeping thermals in check
Proper ventilation and an attached extension cable.
Satechi's enclosure is designed to house a 2230-size M.2 NVMe SSD — the smallest of the M.2 standard. The compact form comes with no compromise since these drives can store as much as 8TB, with blistering quick read and write speeds (varying by manufacturer). However, this is still flash storage we are talking about, and the limited heat dissipation of typical flash drives hamstrings their performance. Satechi thought this aspect, and machined inlet vents along the slides and a variable-speed exhaust fan underneath the drive, which is tucked out of sight.
From a functional standpoint, this Satechi enclosure ticks all my boxes. It features a versatile USB-C connector that can connect to practically any Android smartphone, Chromebook , or notebook. You'll get the best data transfer rates when you connect this to a Thunderbolt port, but the product is merely Thunderbolt-compatible, meaning you'll get typical USB-C 3.2 speeds, not blazing fast Thunderbolt speeds, but the former suffices for most applications.
Additionally, Satechi attached a short braided USB-C male-to-female extension cable with a lanyard. It's nice if your USB-C connectors are hard to reach or the enclosure's width blocks other I/O ports on your computer. The accessory includes a plastic case resembling a toothbrush case to hold both ends of this cable together when not in use, forming a loop that aids visibility. Still, I would've liked the option of a USB-C female to USB-A male extension for older computers.
Usability and performance
Sublime is an understatement
The first unit we received malfunctioned, and we tested performance with a second functional unit.
Drive installation is painless.
Popping an SSD into this enclosure is a wonderful, tool-less experience. The see-through top frame is held in with lockable magnets and slides off with a gentle tug. Any drive you choose is first slotted into place at an angle, and the tail end is then pushed down and secured with a stiff silicone pin. This makes the enclosure redundancy-proof in its own way since you only need to swap out the drive if it fails, and not the whole unit.
Since SSDs aren't as delicate as conventional hard drives, you could swap out drives on the fly, even if they must share one enclosure. However, we suggest sticking with the list of drives Satechi tested for compatibility to avoid unforeseen issues. I installed a 1TB Sabrent Rocket Gen4 drive in mine. The first sample we received was defective since it didn't allow drive initialization and switched on write protection for the drive as soon as it was plugged in. This is a failsafe built into most solid-state storage to prevent data corruption from unstable power supply and other causes. Satechi replaced my unit and didn't comment on what may have caused the issues.
With a drive installed in a functional enclosure, you can plug the Satechi enclosure into any Android device, Chromebook, or desktop with a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. The latter is ideal to avoid running into bottlenecks. I tested the drive using CrystalDiskMark's five-pass 8GB transfer test for sequential and random reads and writes. The results were impressively comparable to an internal SSD.
Transfer speed tests on the SSD in the enclosure.
One enclosure for your portability demands
An ideal solution for a budget
While one can argue about the benefits of a NAS or hard drive, portability is equally important for many people seeking robust storage. Throw an Android device in the mix, and you may want a solution like the Satechi NVMe SSD enclosure. It is currently available for sale on Amazon in the US, and on the brand's website for $60. While that might seem steep, the sturdy construction should see you through a few drives before you need a replacement. Ensure you keep the gadget well-ventilated for optimum performance. You will find similarly well-designed products from rivals like DockCase and Sharge to suit tighter budgets.
