Samsung‘s Portable T5 and T7 solid-state drives (SSDs) are leaders in the external storage space, offering fast transfer speeds, robust encryption, and sleek designs. With steady improvements in SSD technology over the years, the newer T7 aims to build on the success of its predecessor, the T5.
But with refined specs and added features comes a higher price tag. So should you pay more for the latest model, or will the older T5 still meet your needs? This guide examines 10 key areas where these drives differ to help you decide.
A Quick Overview
The T5 launched in 2017 to widespread acclaim. With transfer speeds up to 540 MB/s, AES-256 hardware encryption, and password protection, it delivered premium performance in a compact, durable casing.
The T7 arrived in early 2020 sporting a range of upgrades. Headline features include nearly doubled sequential read/write speeds of 1,050/1,000 MB/s and a built-in fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. It retains the same slim, shock-resistant design as previous T-series drives.
While the T7 wins on raw speed and security tech, the T5 remains a remarkably fast external SSD that costs less. And with wide compatibility, sophisticated encryption, and capacities up to 2TB, it still meets many users‘ needs. Let‘s explore the nitty-gritty details across 10 key categories to help inform your buying decision:
1. Sequential Read and Write Speeds
Sequential speeds indicate how quickly an SSD can read and write large, contiguous blocks of data. These headline maximum speeds give a sense of each drive‘s raw throughput potential.
T5 speeds: Up to 540 MB/s sequential read and 515 MB/s sequential write
T7 speeds: Up to 1,050 MB/s sequential read and 1,000 MB/s sequential write
The T7‘s PCIe Gen 3 x2 interface and optimized software stack give it a sizable speed advantage – figures nearly double those of the T5. Translating these into real-world use, transferring a 25GB 4K video takes around 80 seconds on the T7 versus 150 seconds on the T5.
2. Interface and Connectivity
Both SSDs use a USB Type-C port and are backward compatible with USB 3.0 via an included cable. This allows broad compatibility with Windows, Mac, Android devices and gaming consoles.
The T7 has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface compared to the T5‘s USB 3.1 Gen 2. The T7 can therefore hit faster transfer rates, provided it‘s connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. If not, due to backwards compatibility, speeds will be limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 rates.
In essence, you need USB 3.2 Gen 2 hardware to take full advantage of the T7 performance gains. Many older machines won‘t support the fastest T7 speeds.
3. Size and Design
The T5 and T7 share a sleek, minimalist look with rounded corners and aluminum edging protecting their plastic frames. Both feel lightweight and solidly constructed.
Dimensions:
- T5 – 2.9 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches (74 x 57 x 10 mm)
- T7 – 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches (85 x 58 x 8 mm)
The drives are highly pocketable and portable. But the thinner T7 has a slightly longer body, making the T5 marginally more compact. At 1.8 versus 2 ounces, the T5 is also a tad lighter. For maximum portability, the T5 just wins out.
4. Capacity Options
While no slouches in the capacity department, the available storage configurations differ:
- T5 capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- T7 capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
The T5 gives you more flexibility for balancing price, performance and capacity. And cost-conscious users who don‘t need blistering speeds could opt for the 250GB base model to save money.
On the flip side, the higher minimum T7 capacity reflects its positioning as a premium, performance-focused drive. Power users are the main T7 audience, and many require huge 500GB+ capacities.
5. Security Features
Both drives offer the essentials for keeping data safe, like password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption. But the T7 adds a major security bonus – a fingerprint recognition sensor for biometric authentication.
This optical fingerprint scanner lets you unlock the drive with a pre-registered fingerprint. It provides ease of use and avoids having to remember a complex password. Up to 4 fingerprints can be enrolled.
Fingerprint unlocking makes the T7 hugely appealing for business users carrying sensitive data. It removes a common security weak point – easily guessed or shared passwords written on post-its!
6. Durability and Shock Resistance
The SSDs feature robust metal designs and have similar durability credentials:
- Can withstand falls from up to 6.5 feet
- Shock resistant to 1500G
In real-world use, they should cope with typical bumps and drops. I‘ve transported both drives around in bags for months without any degradation. While not indestructible, these are highly rugged portable SSDs suitable for everyday portable use.
7. Software
The easy-to-use Samsung Portable SSD app offers monitoring, firmware updates and password changes on both models. The software also controls the fingerprint unlocking capabilities of the T7.
From managing security settings to checking warranty and disk health stats, it‘s a handy utility for Windows and Mac owners.
8. Warranty and Encryption
You get a fair amount of consumer protection with either device:
- 3-year limited warranty
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
Hardware encryption means no performance hit for safeguarding data. Without the password, contents remain inaccessible and effectively unrecoverable if either drive is lost or stolen.
9. Pricing and Value
The 1TB models illustrate a representative pricing difference:
- Samsung T5 1TB – $110
- Samsung T7 1TB – $160
There‘s nearly a 50% price premium for the T7 over the T5. You pay more for the fingerprint unlock, increased speeds and USB 3.2 interface. For many shoppers, the T5 hits the sweetspot of delivering great performance at a palatable price.
However, for professionals needing uncompromising speed or security for critical data, the T7 easily justifies its higher cost. Paying a premium translates to next-gen tech that directly boosts productivity.
10. Ideal Users
The T5 suits most general external storage needs. It remains fast enough for typical backups, file transfers or expanding laptop storage. Users like students transporting coursework or home media collectors on a budget are well served.
But businesses handling large assets like high-res photos, 4K footage or sensitive documents will reap real rewards from the T7. Similarly, travelers backing up content in the field quickly will see big speed boosts. Essentially if you regularly move gigabytes of critical data, the T7 is a sound investment.
The Samsung T7 Portable SSD delivers meaningful upgrades like nearly double the speeds, fingerprint sensor unlocking, and support for faster connectivity standards. For many professionals, these extras justify the higher asking price.
But don‘t underestimate its predecessor – the T5 still outpaces traditional external hard drives by magnitudes. Its compact build, password protection, and oft-discounted price tag keeps it relevant for everyday backup and transfer duties.
If your external storage needs call for responsibly securing business data or rapidly editing multimedia files on the go, then stretch your budget for the T7. For general backups and storage expansion, save money with the still-speedy previous-gen T5.
