The Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is a portable storage device designed to provide users with high-speed data transfer, durability, and security. It’s a powerful tool for users who need to store and transfer large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, without compromising on security.
One of the standout features of the T7 Shield is its read and write speeds. With a read speed of up to 1,050 MB/s and a write speed of up to 1,000 MB/s, it can transfer large files in seconds. This is especially useful for users who work with high-resolution video and images, as well as large data sets. The T7 Shield is also compatible with both USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C ports, making it easy to connect to a wide range of devices.
The T7 Shield is designed with durability in mind, featuring a solid metal body that can withstand drops of up to two meters. It’s also equipped with AES 256-bit hardware encryption, which keeps data safe from unauthorized access. The T7 Shield is password protected, so only authorized users can access the data stored on it. This makes it a great option for users who need to store sensitive data, such as financial information, legal documents, or personal files.
In addition to its speed and security features, the T7 Shield is also easy to use. It comes with Samsung’s Portable SSD Software, which allows users to set up passwords, manage data, and update firmware. The software also enables users to optimize their T7 Shield for performance or security, depending on their needs.
- Technical specifications of the Portable SSD T7 Shield
- Compact with rubbery and somewhat dirty finish
- Software not necessary for its use, but allows to protect the data
- Fastest on the market and with IP65 protection
- Versions, colors and availability of the Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield
- Conclusions about the Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield
Technical specifications of the Portable SSD T7 Shield
| Ability | 1TB | 2TB | 4TB |
|---|---|
| connectivity | USB 3.2 Gen2 with UASP support<br>USB-C |
| Transfer speed | Reading: 1,050 MBytes/s | Write: 1,000 MBytes/s |
| Additional features | IP65 | Support drops up to 3 m | AES 256-bit encryption (software) |
| Dimensions | 88x59x13mm |
| Weight | 98g |
| Price | From $121 (1 TB) | From $200 (2TB) | Starting at 386 (4TB) |
Compact with rubbery and somewhat dirty finish
If there is something that stands out about this line of Samsung Portable SSD products, it is its small dimensions. In fact, it is a format that we have already seen in the Portable SSD T5 and in the Portable SSD T7 Touch, which already included a fingerprint reader as an access control system.
The new Portable SSD T7 Shield inherits the design and features of the T7 Touch but with a rubberized finish as the remote control bumpers that helps protect against water and dust.
It has small dimensions of 88 x 59 x 13 mm, as a comparison with a credit or debit card, the standard is 85 x 55 mm, as we see very much on the line.
With a weight of less than 100 grams, it is one of the data transport options, 4 TBytes the most compact unit that we analyzed, which promises transfer rates of more than 1,000 MBytes per second. Yes, surely some of our suspicious readers think, microSD is smaller, but of course, not with these transfer rates.
I like the rubbery touch and finish as it prevents the unit from slipping on any surface and unnecessary falls are avoided. Be that as it may, it withstands falls of up to 3 meters and also withstands accidental splashes of water thanks to the IP65 certification.
This last point of the rubbery finish has its pros and cons as that extra grip also drags dirt from pockets, backpacks and anywhere you carry it with it. However, its IP65 protection also makes it possible for you to wash it under the tap.
To close the design issue, comment that the box includes a USB-C to USB-C cable and another USB-C for the unit and USB-A for computers. The first option is the one you should use if you want to get the most out of the unit.
Software not necessary for its use, but allows to protect the data
Samsung is a company that not only offers a fast and resistant product with this SSD T7 Shield but also accompanies it, like the rest of the Portable SSD line, with its multi-platform Samsung Portable SSD software that manages the protection through drive encryption.
It is the application that comes preloaded on the SSD itself and that allows us to install it on Windows, Mac or Linux computers and even Android phones. It is a simple application that allows you to update the firmware of the units and configure a password to access the data.
As you plug the drive in for the first time, we see how we have the application installation files and while it is not necessary for the drive to run at peak performance, it is always a good idea to check that you have the latest version of firmware and, if so, you need to configure an access password.
For Windows and Android, its use is very simple, install and go. On Mac OS, due to the Secure Boot protection of the latest versions, you have to enable third-party extension support and give Samsung extension permissions.
An important point about the password must be taken into account. Once configured, you will need to install the application on the computer you want to use it on.
This limits the use, because imagine that I want to take my vacation videos for the family to watch and connect the SSD to the TV, we would have to unlock the drive from the software by removing the password protection mode.
Samsung also offers a more comprehensive tool for viewing drive health, performance testing and more, Samsung Magician SSD, but this is only compatible with Windows.
Fastest on the market and with IP65 protection
Well, we come to the techie section, the performance, the speed of this unit, or what has been the same, the time it will take to copy that package of files that you want to bring with you.
We already give you a spoiler that it is the fastest you can use via USB-C. In fact, if your computer offers USB-C 3.2 Gen2 support with UASP, you will be faced with the configuration that allows you to squeeze all the performance out of the unit, being able to reach more than 1,000 MBytes/s.
During our tests on different computers we have been able to see how we reached figures much higher than 625 MBytes/s, which is one of the limitations of USB 3.1 (5 Gbps).
We have also tested the speed on the latest generation Android phones and, although the operation is slower than on a Windows or Mac computer, it is still one of the fastest options to copy files from a mobile. We have copied a 60 GB video library in less than a minute.
| Windows 11 | Mac OS 13.2.1 | Android 12 | |
| max reading | 944.6MB/s | 826.4MB/s | 405MB/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| max write | 746.8MB/s | 794.3MB/s | 105MB/s |
Here we have found the case of an average write speed of 4 GB of just over 105 MBytes/s in the mobiles that we have tested regardless of USB-C 3.1 or 3.2 support. So we are surely in a limitation of the operating system.
However, we have seen reading rates of up to 800 MBytes/s in a high-end mobile like the Oppo Find X3 Pro, which does support two-line USB-C 3.1.
Something that worries me in this type of units is heating and if this ends up affecting performance. After spending hours passing files both to the unit and from the unit to different computers, I have to comment that the rubber acts as a thermal insulator and you don’t notice worrying heat, oh, and the performance is not affected either.
Versions, colors and availability of the Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield
Samsung has several versions of this Portable SSD T7 Shield. We’re talking about three options for storage and carrying in various color options. Apart from the black that we have tested, it is also available in blue and beige.
This T7 Shield SSD is available in capacities of 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB so we will have options for all types of users.
If we talk about prices, the smallest, in capacity, starts at around 120 dollars. We have offers of around 200 dollars for the 2 Tbyte model and the 4 TB model we have tested has a cost of around 380 dollars.
It is not the cheapest option, since if we think about buying a USB-C box with USB 3.2 Gen2 support and an NVMe SSD we can surely save a few dollars, such as the Orico 20 Gbps box (58 dollars) and a Crucial NVMe 4 TB Gen 3 ( 280 dollars ). That is, we would have a noticeably faster device for less money.
Conclusions about the Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield
After seeing all the features, tests and prices of this unit, I can only say that Samsung has done a good job, and that is that the guarantee that an IP65 certification gives or that it supports falls of up to 3 meters is an important added value in devices of battle that come and go in backpacks, bags and pockets.
Something that we would have liked from Samsung is the adaptation of the SSD Magician application for other operating systems, but it is also true that for the ordinary user, this portable SSD is used as a plug-and-play dummy device.
In a time when sharing data is usually done online, it may not be the best option for bringing and taking files, but it is postulated as a good alternative to expand storage to laptops that cannot be expanded with new parts, since it has good transfer rate.
Overall, the Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is a powerful and versatile storage device that’s perfect for users who need to transfer and store large amounts of data quickly and securely. Its high-speed transfer rates, durable design, and strong security features make it a reliable option for professionals and consumers alike.
