External SSD: Samsung's T5 Review

Samsung has introduced its T5 SSD, the latest model in a series of external high-performance SSDs. Like its predecessors, the T5 offers blazingly fast data transfer rates and in a high-quality premium package but it lacks innovation.

Silvio Werner, Klaus Hinum, 👁 Klaus Hinum (translated by Martin Jungowski), Published 08/15/2017 🇩🇪 🇪🇸 ...

Storage Accessory

For the original German review, see here.

Back in April 2017, we reviewed several external USB-C SSDs. Unlike regular hard disk drives, these flash-based external storage devices offer very fast data rates even under the most intense load scenarios, and are much more forgiving than mechanical drives when dropped to the floor.

Now, Samsung has introduced the T5 – the latest incarnation in its series of external high-performance SSDs. Like the T3 the T5’s design is simplistic yet appealing. The metal case weighs in at 51g (~1.8 oz) and while subjectively it seems very robust it is not IP certified. According to Samsung, it should survive drops from up to 2 m (around 6.6 ft) height and like all T-models it offers 256-bit AES encryption, even when used with Android or iOS.

Included in the box are two USB 3.1 Gen. 2 cables for two different host ports (one USB-C and one USB-A), software for Windows and macOS, and a download link for Android software.

Synthetic Benchmarks

We use CrystalDiskMark 3.0.3 (64-bit, 1 GB file size) and AS SSD in order to determine the drive’s theoretical performance.

Sequential read and write speeds were at 480 MB/s, which was significantly faster than its own predecessor and, disregarding the external RAID-SSD SanDisk Extreme 900, all other SSDs reviewed by us.

Random access scores painted a similar picture, and once again the Samsung T5 was the fastest external SSD ever reviewed. For reasons unknown to us it practically failed AS SSD’s 4K write test (no queue) on the MacBook Pro but performed as expected and very well on the Asus Zephyrus.

Access times were excellent as well, but that is true for all current SSDs. The minor differences between the respective models are entirely negligible and unnoticeable in real-world usage.

Performance Rating | CrystalDiskMark 3.0

Performance Rating - Percent
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	83.8 pt
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	52 pt
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	47.8 pt
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	40.1 pt
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	38.7 pt
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	36 pt
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	33.3 pt
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	30.9 pt
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	23.7 pt
ADATA SE720 128G	21.5 pt

CrystalDiskMark 3.0
Write 4k QD32
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	443 MB/s +141%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	184.1 MB/s
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	179 MB/s -3%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	167 MB/s -9%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	139 MB/s -24%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	112.9 MB/s -39%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	30.3 MB/s -84%
ADATA SE720 128G	29.2 MB/s -84%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	27.4 MB/s -85%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	15.4 MB/s -92%
Read 4k QD32
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	630 MB/s +226%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	193.1 MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	183 MB/s -5%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	181 MB/s -6%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	171 MB/s -11%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	129 MB/s -33%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	115.2 MB/s -40%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	18.8 MB/s -90%
ADATA SE720 128G	14.2 MB/s -93%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	12.6 MB/s -93%
Write 4k
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	40.75 MB/s +2%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	39.88 MB/s
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	27.2 MB/s -32%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	22.5 MB/s -44%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	17 MB/s -57%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	16.6 MB/s -58%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	15.5 MB/s -61%
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	13 MB/s -67%
ADATA SE720 128G	11.8 MB/s -70%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	7.6 MB/s -81%
Read 4k
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	25.41 MB/s +30%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	21.7 MB/s +11%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	19.57 MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	15.1 MB/s -23%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	14.5 MB/s -26%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	14 MB/s -28%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	12.4 MB/s -37%
ADATA SE720 128G	10.5 MB/s -46%
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	9.8 MB/s -50%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	9.2 MB/s -53%
Write 512
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	945 MB/s +113%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	443.5 MB/s
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	397 MB/s -10%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	396 MB/s -11%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	356 MB/s -20%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	348 MB/s -22%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	201 MB/s -55%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	191 MB/s -57%
ADATA SE720 128G	163 MB/s -63%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	154 MB/s -65%
Read 512
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	842 MB/s +103%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	415.5 MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	375 MB/s -10%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	368 MB/s -11%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	361 MB/s -13%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	358 MB/s -14%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	341 MB/s -18%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	326.6 MB/s -21%
ADATA SE720 128G	313 MB/s -25%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	277 MB/s -33%
Write Seq
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	1343 MB/s +180%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	478.9 MB/s
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	458 MB/s -4%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	437 MB/s -9%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	416.7 MB/s -13%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	385 MB/s -20%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	238 MB/s -50%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	192 MB/s -60%
ADATA SE720 128G	163 MB/s -66%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	140 MB/s -71%
Read Seq
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	1298 MB/s +172%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	690 MB/s +44%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	477.7 MB/s
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	477 MB/s 0%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	477 MB/s 0%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	422 MB/s -12%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	416.5 MB/s -13%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	410 MB/s -14%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	355 MB/s -26%
ADATA SE720 128G	342 MB/s -28%

Performance Rating | AS SSD

Performance Rating - Percent
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	73.2 pt
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	47 pt
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	36.1 pt
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	33.8 pt
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	33 pt
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	26.8 pt
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	24.6 pt
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	23.4 pt
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	22.9 pt
ADATA SE720 128G	22 pt

AS SSD
Seq Read
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	1793 MB/s +253%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	755 MB/s +49%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	523 MB/s +3%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	510 MB/s 0%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	508 MB/s
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	492 MB/s -3%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	439 MB/s -14%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	424 MB/s -17%
ADATA SE720 128G	356 MB/s -30%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	349 MB/s -31%
Seq Write
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	466 MB/s +65%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	283 MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	229 MB/s -19%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	215 MB/s -24%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	184 MB/s -35%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	175 MB/s -38%
ADATA SE720 128G	150 MB/s -47%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	137 MB/s -52%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	128 MB/s -55%
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	127 MB/s -55%
4K Read
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	22.99 MB/s +36%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	16.89 MB/s
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	15.5 MB/s -8%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	15.2 MB/s -10%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	14.6 MB/s -14%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	13.6 MB/s -19%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	13.2 MB/s -22%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	10 MB/s -41%
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	9.8 MB/s -42%
ADATA SE720 128G	9.2 MB/s -46%
4K Write
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	38.14 MB/s +2586%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	25.6 MB/s +1703%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	14.2 MB/s +900%
ADATA SE720 128G	11.6 MB/s +717%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	8.6 MB/s +506%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	5 MB/s +252%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	2 MB/s +41%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	1.42 MB/s
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	1 MB/s -30%
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	0.88 MB/s -38%
4K-64 Read
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	897 MB/s +416%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	173.8 MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	164 MB/s -6%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	121 MB/s -30%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	121 MB/s -30%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	105 MB/s -40%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	104.9 MB/s -40%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	19.3 MB/s -89%
ADATA SE720 128G	14.5 MB/s -92%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	12.6 MB/s -93%
4K-64 Write
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	368.9 MB/s +711%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	68.1 MB/s +50%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	45.5 MB/s
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	37 MB/s -19%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	30.5 MB/s -33%
ADATA SE720 128G	30.1 MB/s -34%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	26 MB/s -43%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	20.7 MB/s -55%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	9.3 MB/s -80%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	6.7 MB/s -85%

AS SSD Copy Tests

AS SSD’s Copy Tests are semi-synthetic benchmarks that are fairly close to real-world usage. The three modes differ in their respective file size: the ISO Benchmark copies two large files, which makes this a quasi-sequential transfer; the Application Benchmark copies lots of small files, which makes this a quasi-random transfer; and the Game Benchmarks contains both, large and small files. According to the application’s technical documentation, it uses the no longer recommended command “copy” to initiate the transfers, and reads and writes are performed simultaneously.

In these tests, the T5 surprised us, to say the least. Given the excellent synthetic benchmark scores, we would have expected the T5 to wipe the floor with its competitors, but it only managed to outperform the entire competition in the Game and ISO test. In the Application test with lots of small files, the T5 fell behind its own predecessor and the WD G|DRIVE by up to 26 percent.

That said, we have to add that the ISO and Game test in particular produced very similar results throughout our entire test group. The midfield SSDs are barely more than 10% slower than the T5. Consequently, performance is a negligible factor here and users who do not absolutely need the fastest SSD on the market can make their decision based on quality and additional features.

Performance Rating | AS SSD

Performance Rating - Percent
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L ^-2!	100 pt
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	73.5 pt
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	50 pt
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	46.9 pt
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	46.6 pt
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	45.7 pt
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	43.6 pt
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	36.1 pt
ADATA SE720 128G	30.8 pt
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	27.9 pt

AS SSD
Copy Game MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	257 MB/s +52%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	169 MB/s
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	167 MB/s -1%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	155 MB/s -8%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	151 MB/s -11%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	150 MB/s -11%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	107.4 MB/s -36%
ADATA SE720 128G	97 MB/s -43%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	86 MB/s -49%
Copy Program MB/s
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	166 MB/s +71%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	131 MB/s +35%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	112 MB/s +15%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	97 MB/s
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	96.6 MB/s 0%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	96 MB/s -1%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	94 MB/s -3%
ADATA SE720 128G	78 MB/s -20%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	72 MB/s -26%
Copy ISO MB/s
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	1335 MB/s +536%
SanDisk Extreme 900 480GB	273 MB/s +30%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	210 MB/s
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	205 MB/s -2%
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	188 MB/s -10%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	172 MB/s -18%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	169 MB/s -20%
ADATA DashDrive Elite SE720	111.7 MB/s -47%
ADATA SE720 128G	101 MB/s -52%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	92 MB/s -56%

Compression, ATTO Benchmark, and macOS X

data rate in relation to compressibility

Some SSDs use special compression algorithms to boost transfer speeds. Quite obviously, this only works with uncompressed data, and not for compressed files such as RAR archives or video files. Like all other reviewed external SSDs, the T5 does not compress data on-the-fly – Samsung has stated in 2014 that they will refrain from doing so.

In ATTO, the SSD performed as expected: starting with 32 and particularly 64 KB large file sizes, the T5 was capable of performing at peak level.

SanDisk Extreme 900 (different scaling!)

USB 3.0 Performance

As expected, performance suffers across the board when connected to a USB 3.0 port. Particularly dramatic are the drops in 4K write performance and sequential transfer speeds.

USB 3.1 Gen 2 performance (Asus Crosshair VI Hero mit Ryzen 1800X)

PCMark 8 Storage Benchmark

PCMark 8’s storage benchmarks attempts to subsume a storage device’s performance in a single number. Without doubt, this can only be an approximation, but in our experience, the respective operations comprised in this single value are somewhat reasonable. More specifically, it runs typical operations within various Adobe applications, the “World of Warcraft” and “Battlefield 3” games, and the Office suite and measures the time it takes to complete them.

And while the T5’s performance was top notch and among the best of the best, we should note that the benchmark has apparently peaked out. According to the developers, the benchmark’s accuracy is +/- 3%, which means that the actual results have to be taken with a pinch of salt.

PCMark 8 - Storage Score v2
MacBook Pro 15 - Apple SSD SM0256L	5052 Points +2%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on MacBook Pro 15 2016	4965 Points
Angelbird SSD2go 512GB	4942 Points 0%
Samsung Portable SSD T3 1TB MU-PT1T0B	4934 Points -1%
Samsung SSD T5 1TB on Asus Zephyrus	4922 Points -1%
DeLock Enclosure M.2 USB 3.1 Gen.2 Toshiba THNSNJ128G8NU	4694 Points -5%
WD G\|DRIVE slim SSD USB-C 500GB	4638 Points -7%

Power Consumption and Temperature

With 0.26 W in Windows and 0.4 W in macOS, the T5’s power consumption was comparatively low, albeit higher than its own predecessor’s in Windows. Other external SSDs draw at least 1 W when idle. Under load, the T5’s power consumption peaked at 2.8 W, and was practically identical to its predecessor. All things considered, the T5 is one of the most energy efficient external SSDs available. Oddly enough, it continued to draw 0.4 W in macOS when ejected, and did not power off completely.

Thanks to its metal case, the T5 remained quite cool even under load. During the last third of PCMark 8’s storage benchmark the T5’s case temperature was at 29.2 °C (~85 °F; measured with a temperature sensor). Minor hot spots could be detected around the connector and the controller on the infrared image, but the difference between the hot spots and the rest of the case was less than one Kelvin.

Sp1: 29.0°C, Sp2: 28.6°C, Sp3: 28.9°C, Sp4: 28.5°C - temperature relative

Verdict

The T5 is a new and slightly faster (particularly in macOS) model in Samsung’s range of external SSDs. However, in real world usage the performance gains are negligible.

Much more relevant are the well-made case and premium overall quality, the iOS/Android support, and the hardware encryption. Given that unlike the T1 the T3 already had a metal case, we would have wished for an IP certification. For example, SSDs like the ADATA SE730 can be submerged in water.

All things considered we can recommend the T5, but the step up from the T3 is comparatively small. Accordingly, the decision between these two will most probably be made based on the T5’s hitherto unknown price.

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Editor of the original article: Sebastian Jentsch - Managing Editor Consumer Laptops - 1751 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2010

Computers always had an important place in my life, starting with an Intel 80286 microprocessor in the early 1990s. I became interested in the productive side of technology, especially in campus radio, while studying at TU Chemnitz and during a trainee program in Belfast. Hardware interests led me to manage Notebookjournal.de, which is now a division of Notebooksbilliger, for a few years. I became self-employed in 2010 and took the next logical step in my career by starting to write for Notebookcheck.

contact me via: Xing

Translator: Finn D Boerne - Translator - 450 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2017

Born in the United States and raised in Germany I became acquainted with both languages from an early age and turned this into my profession later in life. Computers have always played an important role in my life, and my love for all things digital is a huge part of my daily routine. Virtual Reality has captured my imagination and interest in particular, and I cannot wait to see what the (near) future will bring.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > External SSD: Samsung's T5 Review

Silvio Werner, Klaus Hinum, 2017-08-15 (Update: 2020-05-19)