The Pro series in the iPhone lineup has been targeting the creator segment for a long time now, and the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max (review) takes significant strides in this direction. It’s the biggest upgrade in years, and as I wrote in my review, a great tool for content creators. And if there’s something content creators need apart from the iPhone, it’s storage. Fast storage to be precise, and lots of it. That’s where the latest offering from Sandisk comes in. Sandisk is one of the most well-known names in solid-state storage, and has just launched a new creator-specific lineup of storage devices. The aptly named SanDisk Creator Phone SSD is an external storage device tailor-made for those who need a lot of storage on the go. It promises not just speed and ample storage space, but also convenience.
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Design and features
The MagSafe attachment capability is easily the most noteworthy design-related feature of the Creator Phone SSD. The drive attaches magnetically to the back of iPhones directly, or to other phones with the help of MagSafe cases.
Sandisk even includes an adhesive magnetic ring in the pack, and that can be stuck on the back of any phone case to make it MagSafe-compatible. The disk drive, finished in blue, sticks to the back of the phone and while it does add bulk, the compact size helps. The SSD weighs just under 60 grams, so the added weight is quite manageable, and when attached to an iPhone, it almost becomes part of the device, allowing you to go about your business and shoot without any dangling wires getting in the way. The data connection happens via the bundled Type-C to Type-C cable — the pack includes a short, flat cable for this purpose.
A USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port is located towards the side of the device. Encased in a silicone shell, the SSD is IP65 rated, and can also survive drops from a height of up to 3 meters. However, it’s not waterproof, and that could be an issue while shooting in the rain… especially considering that the iPhones and most of the other premium flagships it’ll likely be used with are all rated IP68 or higher.
The Creator Phone SSD works plug and play, and the Sandisk Memory Zone app (available for both Android and iOS) provides a barebones but functional interface to your stored files. While you can use the SSD as external storage for smartphones and laptops, one of its most noteworthy capabilities is that it enables direct-to-drive ProRes video recording. For the uninitiated, this is Apple’s video codec that uses less compression to retain more detail, and also gives you better, more flexible editing capabilities, in an attempt to produce pro-grade video footage preferred by filmmakers and enthusiasts. Footage shot in ProRes takes up a lot of storage, so the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD works well for this purpose. Once the ProRes option is enabled in camera settings, you can put the SSD in OTG mode via the companion app and then proceed to shoot brilliant 4K video at up to 60 fps. This makes the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD ideal for filmmakers and content creators, especially since ProRes video takes up a lot of storage. In theory, one could just opt for the lower storage variants of the iPhone Pro and use the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD to add storage as and when the need arises.
Performance
I tried the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD with an iPhone 17 Pro Max to shoot ProRes video and data transfer, and it worked flawlessly in my testing. The device is super simple to attach, works plug and play, and one doesn’t need anything else apart from the companion app. I also ran some data transfer speed tests on the disk using a Windows laptop and CrystalDiskMark, and the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD displayed transfer speeds of close to 1,000MB/s both ways. This is the speed Sandisk promises, and the SSD delivers on the same. The MagSafe magnetic connection is stable, and the feature is a Godsend while shooting, making things super convenient and hassle-free… something that most other rivals can’t offer.
Verdict
The Sandisk Creator Phone SSD is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, with a starting price of Rs 10,999. Overall, it makes for a worthy buy for content creators and anyone who uses their phones for shooting lots of video content. It’s especially suited for iPhone users because of the MagSafe feature and direct -to-drive ProRes video shooting, and thanks to its compact size and durable build, quite convenient too.
Editor’s rating: 8 / 10
Pros:
- Compact, solid build
- MagSafe compatibility
- Fast transfer speeds
- ProRes video recording on iPhone
- Not waterproof
