The manufacturer Samsung, known for SSDs, is once again using a different form of flash memory after a long time: USB sticks. The newcomers, simply called USB Flash Drive Type-C because of the modern plug, in a chic, blue housing offer up to 256 GB of storage space, 400 MB/s when reading and 110 MB/s when writing.
Mid-range performance
With these performance data, the USB sticks are not particularly fast because, for example, Patriot and Team Group have products with up to 600 MB/s up their sleeves; Kingston’s DataTraveler Max even reaches 1,000 MB/s.
According to Samsung, the maximum performance of 400 MB/s is only achieved by the 128 GB and 256 GB models. In the “smallest” version with 64 GB, it should be up to 300 MB/s when reading. The 110 MB/s when writing apparently applies to all models.
Small, light and with some protection
Including the removable protective cap, the USB sticks measure a compact 33.7 × 15.9 × 6.4 mm (W×H×D) and weigh just 3.4 grams. The low weight suggests plastic as the housing material, but it still is to be confirmed. Nevertheless, the sticks should be shockproof up to 1,500 G acceleration.
Samsung USB Flash Drive Type-C (MUF-256DA/APC) (Image: Samsung)
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In addition, they should survive up to 72 hours in one meter deep salt water and offer a certain resistance to magnetic and X-ray radiation. However, they are not real outdoor storage units and operation at temperatures below freezing is not intended, for example.
USB-C is set
Samsung doesn’t do things by halves when it comes to the connector type and relies entirely on the new USB-C connection for this series. Compared to the USB-A plug, this offers the advantage that it cannot be connected to the socket the wrong way around, since it also fits the other way around. USB-C is also often found in modern mobile devices such as notebooks and smartphones of the younger generation. In the classic PC segment, however, USB-A remains dominant, which is why an adapter might be necessary, but it is not included in the scope of delivery.
When it comes to the USB protocol, Samsung speaks of USB 3.1, but points out that USB 3.2 Gen 1 means the same interface under a new name. Basically, this means that it is still USB 3.0 with a bit rate of 5 Gbit/s (gross), in practice around 450 MB/s would be possible, which the USB sticks do not fully exploit.
Samsung has not yet revealed what the USB sticks, which come with a 5-year guarantee, will cost. The editors are in contact with the manufacturer to find out more information.