SSD for iPhone ProRes UK: Choose Drives and Recording Kits

The drive to buy

Our pick is Samsung T7 Shield 1 TB. Our choice for a practical 4K60 ProRes recording setup on a supported iPhone Pro.

The alternative is Samsung T7 2 TB. More recording space for longer projects.

Our recommendation here is for 4K60. Samsung lists its own 4K60 recording evaluation for the T7, T7 Shield and T9 with iPhone 15 Pro models under stated conditions. This is manufacturer evidence, not a test carried out by Cloudzat. For 4K120, Apple specifies higher sustained writing requirements; do not treat the 4K60 evaluation as a 4K120 result.

Buy the first option for the main use described here. The alternative has a different job: it can reduce the starting cost, hold a larger collection or provide a complete drive without assembly. Keep the exact capacity and contents named on the card when opening the store listing. A product family name can cover several purchases with different capacities and supplied accessories.

Our practical starting purchase for 4K60

Buy a complete Samsung portable SSD from the recommended T7, T7 Shield or T9 options, rather than an empty case and an unspecified internal SSD. Samsung reports internal 4K60 ProRes evaluation with these families on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max under its stated conditions. That provides a clearer starting point than choosing an unknown product only by a peak transfer number.

For a phone rig, a secure mount and the right data cable belong with the drive. Choose 1 TB for a smaller active shoot with regular transfer to another storage location. Choose 2 TB for more room between offloads. We do not promise a fixed recording duration from capacity alone because the recording mode and actual footage affect file size.

The phone and recording mode matter

Direct external ProRes recording is a feature of supported iPhone Pro models, including the USB-C Pro generations listed in Apple's guidance. A USB-C socket on an ordinary iPhone does not establish the same ProRes workflow. An older Lightning iPhone should not be treated as an equivalent direct-recording setup merely by adding a cable adapter.

Apple specifies at least 220 MB/s sustained writing for 4K60 and 440 MB/s for supported 4K120 recording, alongside a maximum 4.5 W external-drive power draw. The faster mode is a separate requirement. A drive advertised at a high maximum read speed is not automatically proven for that longer, sustained-write workload on a phone.

Buy a real data cable and a suitable format

Use a USB-C data cable rated for the required 10 Gb/s connection, not a charge-only cable that happens to have the right plug. Keep the cable short enough for the rig without pulling on the phone or drive. A loose heavy drive dangling from the socket is not a good filming arrangement.

Use the external-storage format and conditions specified by Apple, including exFAT for the direct ProRes workflow and no password protection that prevents recording access. Formatting removes existing contents, so preserve files elsewhere first. A suitable drive is one part of the purchase; the format, cable and phone connection are part of the actual recording setup.

When to choose the larger drive or a different setup

Buy more capacity for a longer working collection, not in the expectation that 2 TB automatically doubles every performance figure. Offload important footage and keep a second copy before clearing the working drive. The portable SSD is active recording storage, and one copy of the only footage is still one copy.

For 4K120 or another demanding mode, buy for the exact supported phone and the sustained-writing and power requirements. Samsung's documented 4K60 evaluation should not be relabelled as our own 4K120 test. Before an important shoot, a short recording check with the purchased kit is a practical final confirmation, not a substitute for the buying recommendation above.

Buy enough useful space

Our usual upgrade choice is 2 TB when a game or working library has outgrown the original drive. Choose 1 TB for a smaller collection or a tighter budget. Choose 4 TB only when the collection needs it and the device supports that exact drive. A lower price for half the capacity is not a discount on the larger purchase. The two cards above state the actual capacity so the smaller alternative has a clear purpose.

Storage capacity does not increase RAM or graphics memory. More room lets you keep more files or games installed; it does not by itself make demanding games run at a higher frame rate. Leave room for updates, temporary files and the next project. A drive bought already close to full usually leads to another round of moving or deleting files sooner than expected.

Keep the complete purchase simple

Buy the exact variant named in our recommendation. Capacity, physical size, cooling and whether a drive is included are part of that choice. A bare enclosure needs an SSD; a complete portable drive does not. A console upgrade may need a correctly fitting heatsink, while a handheld needs the right compact internal drive. An accessory that belongs to a different installation should not be added automatically.

Use the appropriate supplied data cable for an external drive. A charging-only cable cannot carry your files, and a slower cable or dock can limit a faster SSD. Connect directly to the intended device first. If a dock is essential to the setup, use a port that supports the required data mode rather than assuming every USB-C socket provides the same connection.

Move the files without losing the original

Keep important files in another place before replacing or formatting a drive. Copying files to a new portable SSD can create a second copy; moving the only copy onto it does not. For an internal system replacement, prepare the device's appropriate recovery method or a suitable cloning route before removing the original. Keep the old drive intact until the new installation starts and your important files are present.

Formatting erases the selected volume. Confirm the destination by its capacity and name before accepting an erase screen. After a transfer, open the important files and confirm the expected folders are present before cleaning up the old location. Game downloads can usually be replaced more easily than local saves, personal projects or photographs. Back up those irreplaceable items first.

When keeping your existing drive is the better choice

Keep a reliable drive that already has enough room and works well with your device. Buy a replacement when you need more space, a different physical fit or a connection your current drive cannot provide. A larger maximum transfer figure alone is a weak reason to replace storage used mostly for ordinary documents or installed games.

For a new purchase, choose the recommended model and capacity above. Use the alternative for its stated reason, such as a smaller budget, a larger collection or a complete kit without assembly. This keeps the decision tied to what you will actually use instead of paying for the largest number on a product box.