Want to free up space on your Galaxy S23, Pixel 7, OnePlus 11 or any other Android phone? These are the best external storage drives you can buy.
There are plenty of great Android flagships out there. From the sleek and powerful Samsung Galaxy S23 series to the innovative Google Pixel 7, there’s an Android flagship for you. However, there is one critical feature that is often missing: a microSD expansion slot. Without this feature, users are often limited to their smartphones’ internal storage, and with the increasing size of photos, videos, and apps, it’s easy to see how quickly that storage can fill up.
This is where external storage drives come in handy. Fortunately, there are plenty of external storage drives on the market that can help expand the storage capacity of your Android smartphone. In this article, we take a look at some of the best external storage drives for Android smartphones, their features and why they are worth considering.
-
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive
The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB offers both USB Type-C and USB 3.1 connectivity for easy file transfer between devices. It is compatible with smartphones with USB Type-C ports and on-the-go (OTG) support. The retractable design has both USB Type-C and traditional USB connections and the performance boasts read speeds of up to 150MB/s.
-
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go
The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go USB Type-C Flash Drive is a 2-in-1 flash drive that can seamlessly move content between USB Type-C devices and USB Type-A computers. It can free up space on your USB Type-C smartphone and automatically back up photos using the SanDisk Memory Zone app. This powerful USB 3.1 Gen 1 drive has read speeds of up to 150MB/s.
-
Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive
The Samsung USB-C Flash Drive is a compact and reliable storage solution that offers fast transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s. It has a reversible plug that fits seamlessly into USB Type-C devices and is compatible with laptops, tablets, phones and more. With 256 GB of storage space, it is robust and reliable with its waterproof, shockproof and X-ray proof housing. It is backed by a 5-year warranty.
-
iDiskk 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Flash Drive
The iDiskk 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Flash Drive is an excellent external storage solution for Android smartphone users due to its multi-interface functionality, making it compatible with virtually every device out there. It offers automatic photo and video backup, fingerprint/face lock protection, and password protection, making it a safe option. With 256GB of onboard storage and a free app to manage it, it’s a great buy for the price.
-
SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Deluxe
Supports both Android and iPhone
If you happen to have both an Android smartphone and an iPhone, or regularly transfer files between Android devices and iPhones, the SanDisk iXpand Luxe is the best option out there. It features 128G of storage and has both USB-C and Lightning connectors for seamless connectivity. You can manage the storage on your devices with the SanDisk app.
-
Samsung T7
The Samsung SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB is an excellent choice for Android smartphone users who need convenient and reliable data storage. It offers fast transfer speeds and a solid aluminum unibody construction. The T7 is about the size of a credit card and comes with built-in software to set a password and receive firmware updates. There is also support for the Android app.
-
SSK portable external wireless SSD
SSK’s small, portable wireless SSD is an excellent external storage solution for Android smartphone users, as it eliminates the need for cables and cords. It has a built-in 3,800 mAh battery that can be used as a power bank for your smartphone. The device’s hotspot connects wirelessly and offers automatic backup, storage management via an app, and remote access to files.
Which external storage device should you buy for your Android device?
The list above includes some of the most popular external storage devices for Android devices, but if you still need help choosing a device, here are some of our recommendations.
A highly recommended option is the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive. This drive offers both USB Type-C and USB-A connectivity and is compatible with smartphones with USB Type-C ports and on-the-go (OTG) support. It has a retractable design with both USB Type-C and traditional USB connectors and boasts read speeds of up to 150MB/s. With its affordable price and reputable brand name, it is undoubtedly one of the best value for money options.
Another excellent option is the Samsung Type-C USB flash drive. With transfer speeds of up to 400 MB/s, this compact and reliable storage solution is compatible with laptops, tablets, phones and more. It offers 256 GB of storage space and is waterproof, shockproof, magnet-resistant, temperature-resistant, and x-ray-proof, making it a reliable option. It is also backed by a 5-year warranty.
The SSK Portable External Wireless SSD is an excellent external storage option for Android users looking for a cable-free and portable solution. It has a built-in 3,800 mAh battery that can be used as a power bank for your smartphone. Its small size makes it easy to carry in your bag or pocket, making it an ideal travel companion.
This marks the end of our list of the best external storage drives for Android devices. Which is your favourite? Which one are you going to buy? Let us know in the comments below!