What’s the difference between the Samsung T7 and X5?

The two fastest external Samsung solid state drives are the T7 and X5. So, what are the main differences between these two models?

You can find out in this comparison between the two portable Samsung SSDs.

Quick Summary

The Samsung X5 Portable Solid State Drive has a maximum interface speed that is four times faster than the Samsung T7 Portable Solid State Drive. The X5 is also at least twice as fast as the T7 when it comes to maximum sequential reading and maximum sequential writing.

So, assuming that you meet the Thunderbolt 3 requirements of the Samsung X5, then we recommend getting it over the Samsung T7 due to the much faster speeds.

On the other hand, the T7 is lighter and smaller. So, it is more suitable for being a portable storage drive if you don’t mind the slower speeds.

The T7 is also the only model to offer a fingerprint security option with the T7 Touch. So, if you want added security, then the T7 may be the better option.

T7 vs. X5 Comparison Chart

You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the T7 and X5 below.

Capacity Options

The two SSDs in this versus guide come in 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB capacities.

What’s in the Box

Right out of the box, you can connect the Samsung T7 to USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports. With the Samsung X5, you can only connect to a Thunderbolt 3 port.

You can check out the lists of content included in each box below:

Samsung T7 Portable:

• Samsung Portable T7 Solid State Drive
• USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
• USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable
• Quick Start Guide and Warranty Statement

Samsung X5 Portable:

• Samsung X5 Portable Solid State Drive
• Thunderbolt 3 cable
• Quick Start Guide and Warranty Statement

Weight

When it comes to weight, the X5 is nearly three times heavier than the T7.

You can find the weight specifications below:

• Samsung T7 Portable: 58 grams
• Samsung X5 Portable: 150 grams

Dimensions

The X5 is also all around bigger than the T7.

You can find the measurements for the length, width and thickness of both portable SSDs below:

• Samsung T7 Portable: 85 mm x 57 mm x 8 mm
• Samsung X5 Portable: 119 mm x 62 mm x 19.7 mm

Interface

When it comes to the interface, the Samsung T7 Portable uses USB 3.1 Gen 2, which provide speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

The Samsung X5 Portable uses Thunderbolt 3, which provide speeds of up to 40 Gbps, four times faster than the T7’s maximum interface performance.

Maximum Sequential Read Speed

The Samsung X5 Portable is 1750 MB per second faster, or 166.66% faster, than the Samsung T7 Portable.

You can take a look at the maximum sequential reading speeds below:

• 500 GB Samsung T7 Portable: Up to 1050 MB per second
• 1 TB Samsung T7 Portable: Up to 1050 MB per second
• 2 TB Samsung T7 Portable: Up to 1050 MB per second

• 500 GB Samsung X5 Portable: Up to 2,800 MB per second
• 1 TB Samsung X5 Portable: Up to 2,800 MB per second
• 2 TB Samsung X5 Portable: Up to 2,800 MB per second

Maximum Sequential Write Speed

When you compare the same capacity options, the 500 GB Samsung X5 Portable is 1,100 MB per second faster, or 110% faster, than the 500 GB Samsung T7 Portable.

The 1 TB and 2 TB capacities of the Samsung X5 Portable are 1,300 MB per second faster, or 130% faster, than the 1 TB and 2 TB capacities of the Samsung T7 Portable.

You can check out the maximum sequential write speeds below:

• 500 GB Samsung T7 Portable: Up to 1000 MB per second
• 1 TB Samsung T7 Portable: Up to 1000 MB per second
• 2 TB Samsung T7 Portable: Up to 1000 MB per second

• 500 GB Samsung X5 Portable: Up to 2,100 MB per second
• 1 TB Samsung X5 Portable: Up to 2,300 MB per second
• 2 TB Samsung X5 Portable: Up to 2,300 MB per second

Fingerprint Security

The T7 is the only one of these two portable SSDs to provide an optional finger print security version with the T7 Touch.

Encryption

The two external SSDs in this comparison utilize AES 256-bit hardware encryption.

Drop Protection

Both storage drives are protected against drops at up to 2 meters (or 6.6 feet).

Certifications

You can find the lists of certifications for the two Samsung solid state drives below:

Samsung T7 Portable:

BSMI

• CB
• CE
• C-tick
• FCC
• IC
• KC
• RoHS2
• TUV
• UL
• VCCI

Samsung X5 Portable:

• BSMI
• CB
• C-tick
• CE
• EAC
• FCC
• IC
• KC
• RoHS2
• TUV
• UL
• VCCI

Warranty

The Samsung T7 Portable Solid State Drive and Samsung X5 Portable Solid State Drive each comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

• https://s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/global.semi.static/PSSD_T7_Series_Brochure_Web_2004.pdf
• https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/global.semi.static/PSSD_X5_Brochure_180822.pdf