On paper, the Samsung T7 and SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD are a tie: both classic models claim up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write over USB 3.2 Gen 2. In practice, your port and cable decide the result. This practical guide compares speed, durability, variants, and price, so you can choose the right drive for everyday use or field work.

Speed depends on the port

A USB 3.0 port caps both drives at around 400 MB/s, while a cheap USB-C cable can cap them even lower. As a simple calculation, not a device benchmark, copying 100 GB takes 1 minute 40 seconds at 1,000 MB/s, 3 minutes 20 seconds at a throttled 500 MB/s, and 4 minutes 10 seconds at 400 MB/s. For 1 TB, the same speeds need about 16 minutes 40 seconds, 33 minutes 20 seconds, and 41 minutes 40 seconds. Always check the port and use the supplied cable first.

Build and warranty

The T7 is a 58-gram aluminium drive for tidy desk and bag use. It has no IP rating, so keep it indoors or in a case. It offers 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB, a three-year warranty, Samsung Portable SSD Software, and Dynamic Thermal Guard. The Extreme uses a silicone rugged shell with a carabiner loop and up to 3-metre drop protection. The newest variant is IP65, while the older V2 is IP55, so check the box. It offers up to 4 TB and a five-year warranty.

Watch the variant trap

Do not assume all T7 or Extreme models are identical. Samsung also sells the rugged T7 Shield (IP65) and the T7 Touch with a fingerprint reader. SanDisk's new November 2026 Extreme generation claims up to 2,000 MB/s, but needs a rare USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port at 20 Gbps to reach it. Sustained-write reviews also disagree, so do not crown a winner there: both can slow during very large, hot transfers.

Price check and verdict

In Indonesia in early November 2026, the 1 TB T7 with official warranty was listed around Rp2.85–3.1 million, while the older-generation Extreme 1 TB was around Rp3.2–4.1 million. Many listings were sold out, and prices rose sharply through 2026. A 1 TB drive showing about 931 GiB is normal: that is the decimal-versus-binary difference, not proof of a fake. Still, buy only from official sellers and run a full-write capacity test on arrival. For extra detail, see the original Samsung T7 vs SanDisk comparison. Verdict: pick the T7 for tidy everyday indoor use, and the Extreme for field work, drops, rain, and the longer warranty — with the full external SSD guide as your checklist before buying.