You can shoot an entire movie on your phone these days, but good luck finishing it before the dreaded “Storage Full” message pops up. As smartphone video quality has risen, so too has the size of the files they spit out. In fact, many iPhones can’t even shoot in their highest quality settings unless recording to an external drive. What are the best options for saving video on the go? Let’s look at five storage solutions for stepping up your mobile workflow.
SanDisk PRO-CINEMA CFexpress Type B Card Recorder
If you’re in the professional video world, there’s a decent chance you have some CFexpress Type B cards sitting around to use with a mirrorless or cinema camera. The good news is that SanDisk has created a device that will let you now also record to them from your phone, saving you from often costly portable SSDs. The SanDisk PRO-CINEMA CFexpress Type B Card Recorder with MagSafe might just be the ideal solution for shooters who already own CFexpress Type B cards or see themselves also using the cards for future standalone cameras. The PRO-CINEMA Recorder allows iPhone Pro and Pro Max users to capture ProRes 4K video at up to 60 fps and can attach directly to the back of the phone with MagSafe. Offloading footage to a computer is easy as well, with the USB-C Gen 3.2 2x2 interface supporting up to 20 Gb/s speeds.
Lexar Professional Go USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
If you want to skip memory cards and cabling entirely, take a look at the Lexar Professional Go USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD, available in 1TB or 2TB variations. This pint-sized SSD plugs directly into the bottom of your phone and can handle that same much-heralded ProRes 4K 60 fps codec. It’s hard to overstate how small this thing is, measuring just 1.00 x 1.71 x 0.32" and weighing 0.5 ounces. It’s IP65-rated, can also be used with computers or tablets, and has read speeds up to 1050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1000 MB/s. Lexar even has a Hub system if you want to use the drive with additional accessories like lights, mics, and power banks. If size and weight are your top priority, the Lexar Go is an easy pick.
Samsung T9 Portable SSD
What if you want an SSD that’s just as capable with computers as it is with phones? The Samsung T9 Portable SSD, available in 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB, is one of the best options around. Its USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Port is capable of blazing 20 Gb/s max throughput, with 1950 MB/s sequential write speeds and 1000 MB/s sustained write speeds. You’ll get ProRes 4K 60 fps on iPhones, but also fantastic rendering and exporting speeds with your editing program of choice. Make sure to pair a T9 with a smartphone SSD holder like the next item on our list or prepare to get crafty with Velcro or rubber bands. Backed by a five-year manufacturer warranty, a Samsung T9 is a smart and safe choice in the world of portable storage.
SmallRig MagSafe Universal 2-in-1 SSD Holder
So, you already have an SSD? Well save yourself some hard earned cash and pick up a SmallRig MagSafe/Cold Shoe Universal 2-in-1 SSD Holder to use it with your smartphone of choice. If the smartphone is an iPhone with MagSafe, the SmallRig SSD Holder can attach directly to it. If not, there’s an included quick release cold shoe attachment that can be used with an array of smartphone cages. The SSD Holder itself can fit almost any of the popular modern editing SSDs and includes a built-in USB cable clamp so prevent accidental cable pulls. So long as your SSD is between 0.3 to 0.6" thick and has the read/write speeds that Apple deems necessary, 4K ProRes is in your grasp. The Holder also includes a Metal Ring Sticker that can be added to surfaces like a laptop for simplified SSD mounting.
EZQuest Magnetic USB-C M.2 NVMe SSD
Yes, the EZQuest Magnetic USB-C M.2 NVMe SSD is another SSD holder, but what makes this one special is that it’s designed for M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe SSDs, which are super compact and usually only seen inside computer hardware. EZQuest promises 10 Gb/s data transfer speeds and heat dissipation through a built-in thermal pad. Installing the SSD doesn’t even require a screwdriver, just make sure to note the 2TB capacity limit and double check you’re pairing it with a 2230-style SSD. By attaching via MagSafe and fitting the drive entirely inside the small enclosure, this EZQuest housing keeps your set-up even slimmer than the competition. If you already own a 2230 SSD or want to stay ultra-portable and flexible, this EZQuest enclosure could be your best bet.
What storage do you use for mobile videography? Share your tips in the Comments section, below!
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