Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB
Status: Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB - USB 3.1 External… (500GB portable SSD): Unavailable on Amazon as of . Closest in-stock match (same 500GB portable SSD): SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 540MB/s…, $149.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:16 UTC (price may vary). eBay sellers may still list this model new or used.
Bottom line: The Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB: Up to 540MB/s transfers, rated up to 4.9x faster than external HDDs; main trade-off: 540MB/s is SATA-class speed, short of what USB 3.1 Gen 2 can carry.
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Currently unavailable on Amazon. Not the same product — 3 in-stock alternatives with matching specs:
Same 500GB portable SSD: SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 540MB/s… — $149.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:16 UTC (price may vary).
Same 500GB portable SSD: SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD — $179.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 06:15 UTC (price may vary).
Same 500GB portable SSD: Samsung T7 500GB — $233.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 02:15 UTC (price may vary).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Up to 540MB/s transfers, rated up to 4.9x faster than external HDDs
- ✓ AES 256-bit hardware encryption with optional password protection
- ✓ Ships with both USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables
- ✓ Shock-resistant metal body small enough to fit in a pocket
- ✓ Backed by a 3-year limited warranty from Samsung
Cons
- ✗ 540MB/s is SATA-class speed, short of what USB 3.1 Gen 2 can carry
- ✗ 500GB fills quickly if you shoot or edit long 4K video
- ✗ Password protection is off by default and you have to set it up
- ✗ Needs Windows 7, macOS 10.9, Android 4.4 or newer; older OS may not work
Manufacturer description
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB is a pocket-sized external solid state drive for moving large files fast. It uses Samsung V-NAND flash and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface to reach transfer speeds of up to 540MB/s, which Samsung rates at up to 4.9x faster than external hard drives. That speed matters when you are moving 4K video, high-resolution photo libraries or game installs. The metal enclosure is shock resistant from top to bottom. It fits in the palm of your hand and slips into a pocket or purse, so your projects and media can travel with you. If you carry sensitive files, you can turn on…
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. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the external storage category before committing. 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 portable SSD?
Samsung rates the T5 for transfer speeds of up to 540MB/s over its USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface. Samsung says that is up to 4.9x faster than a typical external hard drive.
Will the Samsung T5 work with my phone and my Mac?
Yes, if they are new enough. The T5 supports Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Android 4.4 KitKat, Windows 7 and later versions of each. It connects to PCs, Macs and smartphones through the included USB-C cables. Older operating system versions may not be supported.
What cables come in the box?
The T5 includes two cables: USB Type-C to C and USB Type-C to A. You can connect it to USB-C or standard USB-A ports without an adapter.
Can I password protect the Samsung T5 SSD?
Yes. The T5 offers optional password protection, which works with AES 256-bit hardware encryption. It is not on by default, so you need to enable it to secure your data.
What warranty does the Samsung T5 500GB have?
The T5 carries a 3-year limited warranty. Check Samsung's warranty documentation for current coverage terms and claim requirements.
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
| Brand | Samsung |
|---|---|
| Color | Gold |
| Weight | 500g |
| Model Name | Samsung T5 |
| Read Speed | 540 megabytes_per_second |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Media Speed | 520 megabits_per_second |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | UNIP2020 |
| Compatibility | Android, Mac |
| Built-In Media | USB Type-C™ to C cable and USB Type-C to A cable |
| Hard Disk Size | 500 GB |
| Item Type Name | External Solid State Drive |
| Hard-Drive Size | 500 GB |
| Mfr Part Number | UNIP2020 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| SECURE ENCRYPTION | Optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption keeps your personal and private data more secure |
| Full listing title | Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB - USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive with V-NAND Flash Memory Technology (MU-PA500G/WW) - Rose Gold |
Ready to buy?
Amazon shows no buyable offer for Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB - USB 3.1 External… at the last check. The closest in-stock match with the same 500GB portable SSD is SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 540MB/s…. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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