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SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s | 10Gbps USB SSD External, 4K HDR ProRes, LED, USBA+C Cable, SMART, TRIM, OTG, Wide Compatible for iphone 15/16/17Pro, Aluminum
SSK

SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s

Bottom line: The SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to: Up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write over 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2; main trade-off: windows reports roughly 465GB usable, not the labeled 500GB.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write over 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2
  • ✓ Records 4K60Hz ProRes HDR straight from iPhone 15/16/17 Pro
  • ✓ Draws under 2.4W, so phones power it without a hub
  • ✓ 36.6g and 2.6 x 1.5 x 0.5 in, smaller than most car keys
  • ✓ USB-C and USB-A cables both included, no adapter needed

Cons

  • ✗ Windows reports roughly 465GB usable, not the labeled 500GB
  • ✗ SLC cache covers 25% of free space, so speeds drop past ~150GB
  • ✗ 500GB fills fast if you shoot ProRes regularly
  • ✗ Aluminum case peaks at 105.58F, warm to hold after long transfers

Manufacturer description

The SSK Portable SSD 500GB puts 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2 transfer speeds in a package that weighs 36.6 grams and measures 2.6 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches, so it disappears into a pocket alongside your phone. Sequential reads reach up to 1050MB/s and writes up to 1000MB/s, and SLC caching holds that pace through transfers under 150GB rather than collapsing partway through a big video dump. That matters most if you shoot on an iPhone 15, 16, or 17 Pro: this external SSD supports 4K60Hz ProRes HDR capture directly to the drive and draws under 2.4 watts, low enough to run off a phone without a powered hub…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. SSK'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 SSK Portable SSD in real use?

It runs on a 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2 interface, rated up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write. SLC caching holds that speed on transfers under 150GB.

Can I record ProRes video from my iPhone to this drive?

Yes. SSK rates it for 4K60Hz ProRes HDR capture on iPhone, and its sub-2.4W draw lets it run off the phone directly. It lists compatibility with iPhone 15, 16, and 17 Pro.

Why does my computer show 465GB instead of 500GB?

Windows counts 1GB as 1024MB while the drive is rated at 1000MB, so a 500GB SSD reads as about 465GB. MacOS typically shows the full 500GB. Nothing is missing.

Do I need a separate cable for older USB-A ports?

No. SSK includes both a USB-C and a USB-A cable in the box, so it connects to newer phones and tablets as well as older laptops without an adapter.

Does it get hot during long transfers?

SSK cites a case temperature peak of 105.58F. The 2mm aluminum alloy shell acts as the heatsink, and TRIM plus S.M.A.R.T. monitoring help keep write performance and drive health stable.

Key Features

  • Capacity Reminder: Display capacity of 500GB SSD often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS typically shows full 500GB. This display capacity reduction of 7% to 10% from SSD actual capacity is from algorithms differences in which 1GB is interpreted as 1024MB on Windows and 1000MB on SSDs
  • 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
  • Data Security: Master solid state drives health with S.M.A.R.T. monitoring. TRIM technology ensures consistent write speeds and extends the lifespan of the portable SSD
  • USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both USB-C and USB-A cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers between computers, smartphones, tablets and Phones
  • Always Fast: No slowdowns during large file transfers. When transferring files smaller than 150GB, this external ssd remains steady 10Gbps with SLC caching (25%of the current available capacity is allocated for high speed cache)
  • For iPhone 4K ProRes: Our portable SSD empowers 4K60Hz ProRes HDR video capture for iPhone. Power consumption less than 2.4 Watts, this external SSD effortlessly operates on various mobile devices, ensuring seamless usability on the go

Full Specifications

BrandSSK
ColorGrey
Weight36.6g
Model NameSD500/500GB
Read Speed1050 megabytes_per_second
Form FactorPortable
Media Speed1050 megabytes_per_second
ConnectivityUSB-C
Model NumberSD500
CompatibilityiOS, Mac
Built-In MediaUSB C to A cable, USB C to C cable
Item Type NameSSD
Hard-Drive Size500 GB
Mfr Part NumberSD500 500GB
Number of Items1
Special FeatureLED Light, Portable
Hardware PlatformLinux, Mac, PC
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesLaptop, Smartphone, Tablet, iphone15
Data Transfer Rate1050 megabytes_per_second
Full listing titleSSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s | 10Gbps USB SSD External, 4K HDR ProRes, LED, USBA+C Cable, SMART, TRIM, OTG, Wide Compatible for iphone 15/16/17Pro, Aluminum

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SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s | 10Gbps USB SSD External, 4K HDR ProRes, LED, USBA+C Cable, SMART, TRIM, OTG, Wide Compatible for iphone 15/16/17Pro, Aluminum 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.

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SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s | 10Gbps USB SSD External, 4K HDR ProRes, LED, USBA+C Cable, SMART, TRIM, OTG, Wide Compatible for iphone 15/16/17Pro, Aluminum
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