As file sizes for pretty much everything in media continue to balloon, the need for better and faster storage of that media subsequently rises. Samsung’s new T9 portable SSD is the company’s latest flagship USB storage device and is yet again at the top of the class.
A significant leap up from 2020’s T7, theSamsungT9 uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 to offer read speeds up to 2,000 MB/s. It comes packaged with both a USB-C to USB-C 3.2 2x2 cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable. Depending on the storage size of the device – the T9 offers 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB – write speeds are just a touch under the read speeds at 1,950 MB/s for the 1TB and 2TB, or the 4TB can get up to 2,000 MB/s. Needless to say, this is an unbelievably fast storage solution, one that is perfect for creators, gamers, photographers, or anyone who needs quick access to their files.
Samsung has kept the design of the T9 in line with the T7’s slim rectangular frame. The T9 is slightly heavier but it’s barely noticeable, and the added weight is mostly thanks to the rubber material that surrounds most of the aluminum chassis. It’s a textured rubber that ensures that the T9 has a little grip to it so it won’t slide around, while also offering extra drop protection. It’s not as ostentatious as the T7 Shield’s design – this still looks like a portable SSD from a distance – but that material is a nice touch that Samsung hopes will look more like a wallet.
After having tested the T9 in plenty of situations, we are happy to report that the portable SSD works as advertised. Users will be able to transfer upwards of massive files in less than a minute either to or from the drive. Obviously, the Samsung T9 needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port to be used to its fullest but we found it extremely impressive in any scenario. Just using the device to transfer photos or video files from the SSD to a PC or vice versa is effortless and practically instantaneous.
On aconsole like the PS5, the T9 can be used to offer extra storage for transferring to its internal SSD. In our testing, it took roughly 9 minutes to transfer a 100GB file from the internal storage of the PS5 console to the T9 and about 15 minutes to transfer back. While that doesn’t match the exceptional speeds when connected to a PC or Mac, the limitation is in the connection interface rather than the drive itself, but even then, the speeds are still excellent for the situation.
A key area that Samsung prides itself on is the T9’s ability to consistently read and write for longer sessions. In essence, users should get the full power of the SSD until the drive is full and then be able to pull those files onto a PC relatively quickly. For power users that are using the T9 as a live storage solution (i.e. for photography) that boost in speed over the T7 is going to be a huge boon, but even just casual users will be impressed by how fast the drive is.
While in use, the Samsung T9 gets a little warm but never hot to the touch. Admittedly, this isn’t usually a problem with portable SSDs but it’s another aspect of the device that Samsung has put a lot of thought and care into. And for those who want to get into the real nitty gritty, Samsung’s Magician Software will help keep the drive current with firmware updates while also monitoring its health and efficiency.
At this point, the speed needs for a storage device are going to vary from user to user. Those who are just looking for a place to dump their old photos or files may not see the full benefit of the Samsung T9, but there’s no question that there is a big bump in speed compared to some competitors or older PSSD models. However, for those who are looking for one of the fastest portable SSDs when it comes to read/write speeds and who like the sleek design and drop protection considerations, the T9 is a great option.
Samsung T9
The Samsung T9 Portable SSD is available for $139.99 (1TB), $239.99 (2TB), or $439.99 (4TB). Game Rant was provided a 2TB T9 for this review.
