Sandisk E31: Pocket-sized SSD with up to 2 TB and 3-year-warranty now available globally

Sandisk has just launched its Portable SSD (V3), with model number SDSSDE31, a compact external drive aimed at everyday storage and backup needs. It appears to be a simple refresh of its predecessor, offering a solid corner hook instead of a rubber one. It measures 85 x 45 x 10mm and weighs just 33.2 grams, around 8 grams less than its predecessor, while its advertised two-meter drop protection give it an advantage over conventional portable hard drives.

Performance upgrades are also minimal: the E31 uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface with 10Gbps bandwidth, with Sandisk rating the drive for sequential read speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, only 200MB/s faster than the older model. The write-speed figure is not disclosed; Sandisk merely states in the fine print that write speed is lower than the read speed. In any case, the E31 is considerably slower than Sandisk's premium portable SSDs, which can reach 4,000MB/s.

The E31 connects via USB-C and is advertised as supporting Windows 10, macOS 13 or later, Android 13, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 or newer. As a regular plug-and-play device, however, it should be compatible with just about any device that has a USB-C port. On iPad, files can be accessed through the native Files app, while Sandisk's Memory Zone software provides file-management and backup tools on other compatible platforms.

The Portable SSD (V3) comes in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities for $100, $160 and $300, respectively, via Sandisk's online store. Interested buyers in other locations such as Canada, the UK, Australia or elsewhere can select their country from the drop-down menu at the top. Lastly, all models carry a three-year warranty.