Lexar’s new SSD expands the iPhone’s storage without monopolizing its USB-C port
Mobile filmmakers can boost their smartphone’s storage capacity by up to 2TB. | Image: Lexar
A terabyte of storage can disappear quickly when you’re capturing 4K footage on an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Lexar’s new Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub not only adds up to an extra 2TB of storage, but it also enables ProRes video captures at 60fps while giving mobile filmmakers a few extra USB-C ports for attaching other accessories.
Lexar’s external storage solution definitely isn’t a new idea. Because 4K ProRes video recording is limited to 30fps when recording to the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max’s internal storage, many companies have released SSD drives designed specifically for the iPhone, enabling 60fps capture. What sets Lexar’s solution apart is a compact design with a matching USB-C hub that doesn’t add a lot of bulk to the iPhone, ensuring it can still be used with accessories like handheld gimbals.
Image: Lexar
The Lexar SSD can be connected directly to the iPhone 15 Pro models, or through a matching USB-C hub.
There are two main components to Lexar’s storage solution. The smaller of the two is the SSD itself, available in either 1TB or 2TB capacities and offering 1,050MB/s read speeds and 1,000MB/s write speeds. It can be connected either directly to the iPhone’s USB-C port and hang off the bottom or by using an included angled adapter that positions the SSD out of the way against the back of the iPhone.
The SSD can also be paired with a four-port USB-C hub, although two of those ports are immediately claimed by the SSD and the angled connector to the iPhone. The remaining two USB-C ports can be used to connect accessories like microphones, lights, or an external power source with up to 30W of power delivery.
Both the SSD and the hub have an IP65 rating, so while they can shrug off rain or light sprays, they’re not designed to survive being fully immersed in water. And while Lexar is primarily positioning the SSD and hub as an iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max accessory, it will also work with Android devices that feature a USB-C port, support for USB On-The-Go (UTG), and “a USB load capacity of above 4.5W.”
Lexar is bringing its Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub to consumers through Kickstarter, with promotional pricing for those who contribute to its crowdfunding campaign. On its own, the SSD is $129 for the 1TB version, or $209 for 2TB, and includes accessories like the angled USB-C adapter and a protective case. Adding the USB-C hub accessory boosts the price of the 1TB SSD to $159, or $239 for the 2TB option, but also adds accessories like a cold shoe adapter for attaching camera accessories, such as a tripod.
Full retail pricing will be closer to $239 for the 1TB SSD with the hub and $349 for the 2TB SSD plus hub, with shipping expected sometime in September.
With crowdfunding, there’s always the chance a product will be delayed, will arrive without promised features, or may never materialize at all, taking a backer’s money with it. There’s less risk when an established company like Lexar is involved, so while caution is always recommended when backing a crowdfunded product, the risks here could be outweighed by the discounts Lexar is offering.
Mobile filmmakers can boost their smartphone’s storage capacity by up to 2TB. | Image: Lexar
A terabyte of storage can disappear quickly when you’re capturing 4K footage on an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Lexar’s new Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub not only adds up to an extra 2TB of storage, but it also enables ProRes video captures at 60fps while giving mobile filmmakers a few extra USB-C ports for attaching other accessories.
Lexar’s external storage solution definitely isn’t a new idea. Because 4K ProRes video recording is limited to 30fps when recording to the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max’s internal storage, many companies have released SSD drives designed specifically for the iPhone, enabling 60fps capture. What sets Lexar’s solution apart is a compact design with a matching USB-C hub that doesn’t add a lot of bulk to the iPhone, ensuring it can still be used with accessories like handheld gimbals.
Image: Lexar
The Lexar SSD can be connected directly to the iPhone 15 Pro models, or through a matching USB-C hub.
There are two main components to Lexar’s storage solution. The smaller of the two is the SSD itself, available in either 1TB or 2TB capacities and offering 1,050MB/s read speeds and 1,000MB/s write speeds. It can be connected either directly to the iPhone’s USB-C port and hang off the bottom or by using an included angled adapter that positions the SSD out of the way against the back of the iPhone.
The SSD can also be paired with a four-port USB-C hub, although two of those ports are immediately claimed by the SSD and the angled connector to the iPhone. The remaining two USB-C ports can be used to connect accessories like microphones, lights, or an external power source with up to 30W of power delivery.
Both the SSD and the hub have an IP65 rating, so while they can shrug off rain or light sprays, they’re not designed to survive being fully immersed in water. And while Lexar is primarily positioning the SSD and hub as an iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max accessory, it will also work with Android devices that feature a USB-C port, support for USB On-The-Go (UTG), and “a USB load capacity of above 4.5W.”
Lexar is bringing its Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub to consumers through Kickstarter, with promotional pricing for those who contribute to its crowdfunding campaign. On its own, the SSD is $129 for the 1TB version, or $209 for 2TB, and includes accessories like the angled USB-C adapter and a protective case. Adding the USB-C hub accessory boosts the price of the 1TB SSD to $159, or $239 for the 2TB option, but also adds accessories like a cold shoe adapter for attaching camera accessories, such as a tripod.
Full retail pricing will be closer to $239 for the 1TB SSD with the hub and $349 for the 2TB SSD plus hub, with shipping expected sometime in September.
With crowdfunding, there’s always the chance a product will be delayed, will arrive without promised features, or may never materialize at all, taking a backer’s money with it. There’s less risk when an established company like Lexar is involved, so while caution is always recommended when backing a crowdfunded product, the risks here could be outweighed by the discounts Lexar is offering.