At A Glance
- Storage capacity options include 1TB and 2TB, supporting approximately 20 to 40 hours of 4K video footage.
- Uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 protocol for high-speed data transfer, with read speeds exceeding 1 GB/s and write speeds approaching 1 GB/s.
- Features a built-in MagSafe magnet for physical attachment to compatible phones and includes a magnetic ring for non-MagSafe devices.
- Connects via a single USB-C port with a short USB-C cable; does not support passthrough charging or accessory connectivity.
- Compatible with third-party camera apps such as Final Cut Camera (iOS), Cinema FV-5, and Blackmagic Camera (Android) for direct video recording.
The Sandisk Creator Phone SSD came in a neat box with the company's branding and other relevant details. It did come with the old Sandisk logo, though (SanDisk). The storage drive turned out to be a bit larger than I had expected. I am using a 1TB Sandisk Extreme SSD for over 2 years now and I am used to a very petite form factor when it comes to creator centric SSDs. Regardless, it is still very small in size for a 1TB/2TB storage drive. It is also understandable because the SSD has a built-in magnet which allows it to stick to certain phones.
Over the past few days, the Creator Phone SSD was my constant companion as I travelled to attend various events. I do not wish to spoil anything, but I must point out that these last few days have been the most convenient when it came to getting video data from the phone to the laptop. In this review, I will be diving deep into the nitty-gritty of the SSD and taking you through my process of recording and editing videos on this new product from Sandisk.
Specifications: Sandisk Creator Phone SSD
SpecificationDetailsCapacity Options1TB, 2TBInternal Storage TypeNVMe SSDDimensions3.25 x 2.69 x 0.43 inchesWeight54 gramsRead Speed (Max)1039MB/sWrite Speed (Max)960MB/s InterfaceUSB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 Backward CompatibilityUSB 2.0 and newerFile SystemPreformatted with exFATDesign FeaturesBuilt-in MagSafe magnet; includes magnet ringPower SourceUSB bus-powered via USB-CSecurity FeaturesNonePackage ContentsPortable SSD, USB-C cable, MagSafe magnet ringWarranty5 yearsLaunch Price (US)Rs 10,999 (1TB)Platform CompatibilityiOS, Android, Windows, macOSApp CompatibilityFinal Cut Camera (iOS), Blackmagic Camera app (Android)In the BoxSSD, cable (USB 4), metal ring, user manualDesign and Build Quality
The Sandisk Creator Phone SSD stands out with its compact, lightweight form factor and thoughtful design tailored for mobile creators. It features:
- A built-in MagSafe magnet for secure attachment to MagSafe-compatible phones.
- An included magnet ring for phones lacking native MagSafe support.
- A single USB-C port and a short USB-C cable for plug-and-play connectivity.
While the magnetic attachment is convenient, it’s purely physical; data transfer still requires a wired USB-C connection. Notably, the absence of a passthrough USB-C port means users can’t charge their phone or connect other accessories (like microphones) while recording.
Power Usage
Efficiency is a strong suit for this SSD. It draws minimal power from the host device and doesn’t noticeably impact battery life, even during extended use:
- Tested with a Find X8 Pro, the SSD supported continuous operation for more than 10 hours without significant battery drain.
- The drive does get a little heated, but that is completely normal with SSDs
Third-Party Apps
Native camera apps on iOS and most Android phones don’t support external storage for recording. However, the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD shines when paired with third-party apps:
- Final Cut Camera (iOS), Cinema FV-5, and Blackmagic Camera (Android) allow direct recording to the SSD.
- These apps unlock the SSD’s potential for high-quality 4K video capture and editing workflows.
With 1TB capacity supporting about 20 hours of 4K footage, and a 2TB option available, it’s a compelling solution for mobile filmmakers.
Workflow Reinvented: From Cloud Bottlenecks To Direct Capture
In the fast-paced world of tech journalism and content production, efficiency isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. My typical workflow has long revolved around capturing high-resolution video, ideally at 4K 60 FPS, followed by a multi-step transfer process that often introduced friction. When shooting on a smartphone, footage would first be uploaded to the cloud, then downloaded again onto a PC for editing. While functional, this method was far from streamlined, subject to bandwidth limitations, sync delays, and the occasional file corruption.
The Sandisk Creator Phone SSD has fundamentally reshaped that process.
With direct recording enabled via USB-C, I now bypass the cloud entirely. The SSD mounts instantly on compatible smartphones, allowing me to capture footage straight to the drive — no internal storage constraints, no compression compromises. Once the shoot wraps, the drive plugs directly into my editing rig, transferring raw video at high speed without intermediary steps. It’s a seamless handoff from capture to cut, and for workflows that demand both mobility and precision, it’s a game-changer.
What Stood Out?
The Sandisk Creator Phone SSD earns its name by catering to mobile content creators who demand fast, reliable external storage. Key strengths include:
- Compact MagSafe design
- Low power consumption
- Seamless integration with third-party video apps
What Did Not
There are only two things that were big enough to pose as genuine issues for me. The first one is the lack of passthrough charging. Once you connect the Creator Phone SSD, there is no way to charge the phone, and you can only hope that you charged your phone, which in this case is your camera, to a full 100 per cent. The other issue is not Sandisk’s but Android’s. There is no native camera app support in any Android device. Samsung is, perhaps, the only device I used that has a bypass to this problem. It’s Camera Assistant (from Good Lock) allows you to store videos directly in external SSDs. In the Find X8 Pro, I had to download the Blackmagic Camera app.
Verdict: Should You Buy The Sandisk Creator Phone SSD?
Inside the box
Transferring and editing footage on a flight
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Easy to carry, wherever you go
If you have a good camera phone, and you shoot a lot of content, you need to get this SSD. A product like this is like a good ally. It will support you in your battles, be there like a watchful protector, facilitate your needs as a videographer, and last but not least, be a reliable partner due to its durability.
The 1TB storage SSD I received for review purposes is a phenomenal product and a huge asset to any creator who takes their job seriously. Getting data from the smartphone to the PC has always been something that I struggled with. Even after apps such as Unison, the process never seemed to be seamless. The Creator Phone SSD made this process so convenient, and this fact alone made me appreciate it on a whole other level.
The data transfer speeds on the SSD are genuinely good, with read speeds reaching over 1 GB/s and write speeds almost touching that mark. The USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 protocol helps the Creator Phone SSD to keep up with user needs, even the holy grail, i.e., 4K 60FPS ProRes Raw format of video recording. However, in case you do not own a new Apple device, like I, but you still have a state-of-the-art mobile device with cameras capable of recording 4K or 8K resolution videos, you can use the Phone SSD to fulfil all your video storage needs.
Rating: 10/10 - A smart investment for creators who rely on their phones for professional video production.
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