Samsung
SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 540MB/s - USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive, Blue (MU-PA500B/AM)
Bottom line: The SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB ($149.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Up to 540MB/s reads, rated up to 4.9x faster than external HDDs; main trade-off: 500GB fills fast if you store 4K video or large game libraries.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Up to 540MB/s reads, rated up to 4.9x faster than external HDDs
- ✓ AES 256-bit hardware encryption with optional password protection
- ✓ Shock-resistant metal shell survives drops up to 2m
- ✓ Ships with both USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables - no dongle needed
Cons
- ✗ 500GB fills fast if you store 4K video or large game libraries
- ✗ 540MB/s trails newer USB 3.2 Gen 2 portable SSDs
- ✗ 3-year limited warranty is shorter than the 5 years some rivals offer
- ✗ Needs Windows 7, macOS 10.9, or Android 4.4 minimum - older systems unsupported
Manufacturer description
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD packs 500GB of V-NAND flash into an aluminum shell small enough to disappear in your pocket, and it moves data at up to 540MB/s over USB 3.1 - Samsung rates that at up to 4.9x faster than a typical external hard drive. If you shuttle 4K video files, RAW photo libraries, or Steam installs between machines, that difference shows up every time you copy a folder instead of waiting on a spinning platter. The shock-resistant metal body is built to survive accidental drops of up to 2m, which matters more for a drive that lives in a bag than any bench number does. For…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Samsung's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the Samsung T5 500GB in real use?
Samsung rates sequential reads at up to 540MB/s over USB 3.1, which the company describes as up to 4.9x faster than external hard drives. Actual speed depends on your port and file sizes.
Will the T5 work with my Mac, PC, and Android phone?
Yes, provided you are on Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, or Android 4.4 KitKat or newer. Samsung includes USB Type-C to C and Type-C to A cables to cover both port types.
Can I password-protect the drive?
Yes. The T5 supports optional password protection backed by AES 256-bit hardware encryption, so the contents stay unreadable without your password.
How durable is the Samsung T5 if I drop it?
The chassis is a shock-resistant aluminum design that Samsung says can withstand accidental drops of up to 2m. There are no moving parts, unlike a mechanical external drive.
What warranty does the Samsung T5 come with?
Samsung covers it with a 3-year limited warranty. Check the product listing for current terms and regional coverage before you buy.
Key Features
- Superfast read write speeds SSD with V-NAND offers ultra-fast data transfer speeds of up to 540MB/s (up to 4.9x faster than external HDDs); Ideal for transferring large-sized data including 4K videos, high-resolution photos, games and more
- Compact and portable design Top to bottom shock resistant metal design fits in the palm of your hand and easily slides in your pocket or purse to take work and entertainment on the go
- Secure encryption Optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption keeps your personal and private data more secure
- Seamless connectivity Includes USB type C to C and USB type C to A cables to connect to PCs, Macs, smartphones and other devices
- Warranty and compatibility 3-year limited warranty; Requires Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), Android 4.4 (KitKat), or higher; Older versions of the Windows, Mac and Android operating systems may not be supported
Full Specifications
| UPC | 887276226309 |
|---|---|
| ASIN | B073GZBT36 |
| Brand | Samsung |
| Color | Blue |
| Model Name | Samsung T5 |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Item Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
| Media Speed | 515 |
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics |
| Model Number | MU-PA500B/AM |
| Built-In Media | 2 cables, user manual, T5 Portable SSD |
| Item Type Name | Samsung Electronics MU-PA500B/AM T5 Portable 3.1 External SSD |
| Hard-Drive Size | 500 GB |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Superfast read/write speeds, Shock-resistant design, Optional password protection, AES 256-bit hardware encryptionSee more |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Gaming Console, Laptop, Smartphone |
| Data Transfer Rate | 540 Megabits Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | Metal |
| Additional Features | Superfast read/write speeds, Shock-resistant design, Optional password protection, AES 256-bit hardware encryption |
Ready to buy?
SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 540MB/s - USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive, Blue (MU-PA500B/AM) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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