Samsung Electronics has released portable solid-state drives that double data processing speeds by adopting USB4, the next-generation interface.
The company unveiled two new portable SSDs in its P Series, the P9 and P7, at Gamescom 2026, a gaming trade show held in Cologne, Germany, on the 26th. Portable SSDs are an evolution of the external hard drives and USB memory sticks widely used in the past. They read and write data far faster by using semiconductors instead of spinning disks. Light and shock-resistant, they are well suited for carrying around.
The new lineup consists of the P9, a flagship model for professionals, and the P7 for general consumers. The key feature is data transfer speed. The P9 supports sequential read speeds of up to 4,000 megabytes per second and sequential write speeds of 3,800 megabytes per second. That is roughly double the processing speed of its predecessor, the T9. The 8-terabyte model supporting USB4 won a CES 2026 Innovation Award in recognition of its technology.
With enhanced write performance, the P9 is suited to data-intensive work such as video production. It can record 12K-resolution video directly from a camera to the SSD, reducing data lag when editing large RAW files. The P7, unveiled alongside it, focuses on versatility and durability. It is compatible with a range of devices including desktops, smartphones and game consoles. Designed to withstand drops from a height of 2 meters, it lowers the risk of data damage in outdoor shooting environments involving frequent movement.
"Handling large volumes of data, from AI-based content creation to ultra-high-resolution video, has become part of everyday life," said Kwon Hyung-seok, vice president of Samsung Electronics' Memory Business. "The P Series will provide a stable working environment for both professionals and general users."
The new products come in four capacities, from 1 terabyte to 8 terabytes. Sales will begin next month in South Korea and roll out globally in stages. Domestic list prices for the P9 range from 505,000 won for the 1TB model to 4.01 million won for the 8TB model. The P7 ranges from 431,000 won to 3.401 million won.
