Samsung USB-C flash drive review – how to connect with MacBook?

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Redefine everyday file transfers with read speeds up to 300MB/s; Type-C USB 3.1 flash drive with backwards compatibility (USB 3.0, USB 2.0). Cable-free Samsung DUO Plus 2-in-1 Type-C USB flash drive for instant storage of your photos, videos, music, and files on laptops, tablets, TV’s, car audio systems, gaming consoles and more. Find everything you need in Samsung USB-C flash drive review.

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Specs – Samsung USB-C flash drive

Storage Capacity: 256 gigabytes
Connector Type(s): USB Type A, USB Type C
USB Generation: USB 3.1
Maximum Read Speed: 300 megabytes per second

General
Product Name: DUO Plus 256GB USB 3.1, USB-C Flash Drive
Brand: Samsung
Color: Gray
Color Category: Gray

Capacity
Storage Capacity: 256 gigabytes

Connectivity
Connector Type(s): USB Type A, USB Type C
USB Generation: USB 3.1
Maximum Read Speed: 300 megabytes per second

Dimension
Product Height: 0.3 inches
Product Width: 2.3 inches
Product Depth: 0.7 inches
Product Weight: 0.27 ounces

Compare Samsung USB-C flash drive vs Sandisk
Ultra Dual Drive

Sandisk
Ultra Dual Drive
Samsung
Duo Plus
Sony
USM-CA1
Storage:16 – 256GB32 – 256GB16 – 64GB
Interface(s):USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-AUSB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-AUSB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A
USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-CUSB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-CUSB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
Dimensions:38 x 20.1 x 9.4mm57.9 X 18.3 X 7.3mm26.4 x 12.2 x 5.3mm
Weight:9.1g7.7g5g
Build Material:Plastic & metalPlasticMetal
USB Plug Protection?Retractable connectorsRemovable capsNo
Color(s):Black & silverBlack & greySilver
Android File Manager?Sandisk Memory ZoneNoNo
Release Date:May-16Aug-18Jan-16
Warranty:5 years5 years2 years

Samsung USB-C flash drive review

Build

It’s a USB key, and as they go the Samsung Duo Plus, 128GB has a nice ergonomic design. The key itself is pretty small with a small cap covering the Type-C end and the Type-A adapter being slotted firmly into the other end. The whole thing feels well made, and the plastic finish is nice enough. 

File format

Direct out of the box the drive is formatted as FAT32, this file system is pretty universal and will work on most computers without issue. The only downside is that the max file size you can store is 4GB, anything over that the file system will start to have a few problems.

The drive can be reformatted into your chosen file system, NTFS for PC or Mac OS Extended or APFS for Mac users. If you need to keep it cross-compatible, then ExFat is your best option.

File formats aside, once the drive is plugged directly into a spare USB port of your computer it will then appear as with any other external drive.

Samsung USB-C flash drive Performance review

The performance section is where we look at the performance of the device. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.


The Samsung USB Type-C Flash Drive Duo Plus performs well when connected to a USB 3 socket on your computer with fast read and write speeds, as shown below. The pen drive will work with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, MacOS X 10.4 or later, Linux v2.4 or later, and Android 4.0 or later. 


Samsung Duo Plus USB3 Speed

The performance of the pen drive, when used in a USB 3 socket, is very good, offering very quick read speeds, although write speeds are slower. This should make it fast enough for most things. 

 Benchmark Data


 Kingston
DT microDuo 3C
PNY
Duo Link OTG Drive
Samsung
Duo Plus
Sandisk
Ultra Dual Drive
Sony
USM-CA1
5GB Movie Read Speed:
(USB Drive to PC)
42.11MB/s121.66MB/s206.66MB/s142.21MB/s123.18MB/s
5GB Movie Write Speed:
(PC to USB Drive)
14.34MB/s20.44MB/s24.63MB/s27.48MB/s16.45MB/s
5GB Photos Read Speed:
(USB Drive to PC)
38.70MB/s97.62MB/s149.29MB/s100.98MB/s89.72MB/s
5GB Photos Write Speed:
(PC to USB Drive)
13.41MB/s18.49MB/s22.51MB/s17.56MB/s12.26MB/s
5GB Movie Read Speed:
(USB Drive to Samsung S8)
75.32MB/s85.2MB/s64.01MB/s65.81MB/s67.56MB/s
5GB Movie Write Speed:
(Samsung S8 to USB Drive)
21.3MB/s16.62MB/s23.86MB/s21.56MB/s20.52MB/s
5GB Photos Read Speed:
(USB Drive to Samsung S8)
68.83MB/s75.51MB/s54.28MB/s57.52MB/s53.8MB/s
5GB Photos Write Speed:
(Samsung S8 to USB Drive)
14.27MB/s15.01MB/s24.42MB/s21.31MB/s20.35MB/s

How to use Samsung USB-C flash drive?

In use plugging into a Type-C port requires the removal of the cap and then it can be plugged in, as with any other USB Type-C stick.

The opposite end features a black cap that protects the Type-A end, pull this off, and you’ll expose the Type-A connector that neatly slots into the main body of the product. In the other end is the Type-C port. To use Type-A simply plug in the adapter and then it’s like any other Type-A USB Key.

On the cap and the main body of the key is a small lanyard loop which is suitable for attaching a cord so it can be looped into a keyring or bag.

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Abu Saleh Rizvee
Abu Saleh Rizvee

I love to write content and contribute for my society. I invest my days in creating content for products those I love and brands who need online presence

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