Portable SSDs are all starting to feel the same, right? Fast, small, USB-C, done. ADATA is trying to shake that up a bit with its new URBAN TAPSAFE External SSD, and the hook here is pretty obvious. You unlock it by tapping your phone.
Yeah, really. Instead of typing a password or relying on software prompts, you just tap your smartphone to the drive using NFC. It works through a companion app that turns your phone into a key. In theory, that is quicker and a lot less annoying, especially if you are constantly plugging and unplugging a drive throughout the day. Whether it is actually better than a password will depend on how much you trust your phone to always be nearby and charged.
ADATA is also pushing this as a shared drive for small teams. You can authorize up to nine users, each with either read-only or full read and write access. That is useful if you are passing footage or files around, but it also introduces a bit of complexity. Managing permissions on a portable SSD is not something most people are used to doing, so there could be a learning curve there.
One thing I do like is the automatic locking. Once the drive disconnects from your phone, it locks itself. That adds a layer of protection if the drive gets lost or stolen. It is a simple idea, but one that actually makes sense for something designed to travel.
Performance-wise, this is not some gimmicky slow drive. The URBAN TAPSAFE uses USB 3.2 Gen2 x2, which means up to 20Gbps bandwidth, and ADATA says it can hit 1900MBps for both reads and writes. That is fast enough for 4K video work or moving large files without waiting around forever. It is also widely compatible, working with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and even iOS 18.6 or newer, though Mac users will need to reformat it out of the box.
You get either 1TB or 2TB of storage, which feels about right for this type of product. The drive itself is small, measuring just under 69mm long, and it weighs around 72 grams. In other words, you are not going to notice it in your bag. ADATA also added a clip-on design so you can attach it directly to a smartphone rig or camera cage, which is actually a thoughtful touch for creators shooting on the go.
Then there is the design stuff. The enclosure uses 50 percent recycled plastic, which is nice to see, even if most buyers are not making decisions based on that alone. More interesting is the magnetic swappable cover. You get an extra color-shift panel in the box, so you can change the look or use different colors to keep track of projects. It is a small thing, but it beats labeling drives with tape.
ADATA includes the usual accessories too, like a USB-C cable, a sticker for the drive key, and a quick start guide. Power draw is standard at 5V and 900mA, and it is rated to operate between 41°F and 122°F. There is also a five-year limited warranty, which is what you would expect in this category.
What we do not know yet is the price, and that is going to make or break this thing. The NFC unlock feature is interesting, no question, but it is not something everyone needs. If ADATA keeps the price reasonable, it could carve out a niche. If not, a lot of people will probably stick with a regular external SSD and move on.
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