My new favorite iPhone accessory makes shooting professional videos so much easier

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• It’s built for iPhone filmmaking
• Fast enough to record ProRes 4K 120 FPS
• Hub design means that there are USB-C ports free for other accessories.

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The iPhone is an amazing tool for creating stunning video content, but let’s be honest — storage fills up fast. No matter which capacity you pick, it often feels like it’s never enough. And with microSD card expansion not an option, your dreams of becoming the next Steven Spielberg or Christopher Nolan might hit the cutting room floor before you even start filming.

But don’t worry. Starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, you can now record video directly to an external SSD via the USB-C port. This nifty feature frees up your internal storage to capture multiple terabytes of footage. 

Also: The best USB-C charger you can buy: Expert recommended

Now, the big question is: which external SSD should you go for? You wouldn’t want to entrust “ET, Part 2” to just any drive, right? I always recommend going with reputable brands, like Lexar. And the company has just released an SSD and hub tailor-made for the iPhone. 

Lexar’s Professional Go Portable SSD tech specs

• Capacity: 2TB | 1TB
• Performance
  Portable SSD: Up to 1050MB/s read, 1000MB/s write speeds
  Portable Hub: Up to 10 Gbps
• Color: Silver, Black
• Interface Protocol: USB 3.2 Gen 2
• Hub Interface: 4 USB Type-C connectors
• Ingress Protection Rating: IP65 dust- and water-resistant, 1-meter anti-drop
• Hub Power Supply: Up to 30W
• Systems Supported: macOSX 10.6+, Windows 11/10/7/8, iOS, Android 4.4+
• Devices: iPhone 15 Series or above, Smartphone, PC, Mac, Tablet, iPad, cameras, and more
• Encryption: AES 256-bit software
• Dimensions: 4.34 x 2.49 x 0.81 mm
• Weight: 13g 

One of the coolest things about the Go Portable SSD is its size and weight — it’s tiny and lightweight, making it perfect for attaching to your iPhone without messing up the balance of any gimbals you might be using.

Also: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time is 25% off

Performance-wise, this drive rocks USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, with read speeds up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000MB/s. That’s enough for ProRes 4K 120 fps recording, which only needs 440 MB/s. In my tests, I even got speeds a bit faster than Lexar advertises — always a nice surprise.

This drive is tough, with IP65 dust and water resistance and a one-meter drop rating. Plus, it comes with a removable silicone sleeve for extra protection and a box with 20 labels to keep your files organized.

The drive’s metal casing — feels like aluminum — acts as a heatsink. It gets warm during use, but even after long sessions, it was never too hot to handle. 

And here’s a little bonus: the hub has four USB Type-C ports. So, you won’t have to worry about blocking the iPhone’s only port when you want to charge or connect other peripherals like lights or microphones. It even has various USB Type-C adapters and a cold shoe adapter cable for ultimate flexibility.

Lexar really thought of everything to help make your video-making dreams come true.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD is more than just an add-on; it’s an essential tool for anyone serious about mobile filmmaking or videography. Its speed, reliability, and versatility make it a standout choice, and the added convenience of the hub ensures you have everything you need to bring your creative visions to life. 

With this SSD, your dreams of becoming the next Spielberg or Nolan are well within reach. 

The Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD with hub comes in 1TB and 2TB capacities, priced at $240 and $350. The SSDs can be purchased separately, with the 1TB costing $190, and the 2TB versions costing $300.