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What’s the difference between the Samsung T7, T7 Shield and T7 Touch?

Samsung recently released the T7 Shield Portable Solid State Drive. So, how does it compare to the standard T7 and the T7 Touch?

You can find out in this versus guide between these external storage drives at Seeking Tech.

Quick Summary

The new Samsung T7 Shield features a rubberized grip, which should make it easier to hold when compared to the Samsung T7 and Samsung T7 Touch.

The Shield version of the T7 series is also the only one to offer dust and water protection with an IP67 rating. Furthermore, it is able to withstand longer drop distances when compared to the T7 and T7 Touch.

The Touch version of the T7 is the only one to come with a finger sensor, which you can use for fingerprint recognition security.

The T7, T7 Shield and T7 Touch have the same USB interface, maximum sequential reading and maximum sequential writing speeds.

T7 vs. T7 Shield vs. T7 Touch Comparison Chart

You can take a look at our comparison table between the T7, T7 Shield and T7 Touch below.

Samsung T7 Portable SSDSamsung T7 Shield Portable SSDSamsung T7 Touch Portable SSD
Size Options500 GB

1 TB

2 TB
1 TB

2 TB
500 GB

1 TB

2 TB
What’s in the BoxPortable SSD

USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable

USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Statement
Portable SSD

USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable

USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Statement
Portable SSD

USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable

USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Statement
Dimensions3.4 inches in width x 2.2 inches in height x 0.3 inches in depth3.5 inches in width x 2.3 inches in height x 0.5 inches in depth3.4 inches in width x 2.2 inches in height x 0.3 inches in depth
Weight57 grams98 grams57 grams
USB InterfaceUSB 3.2 Gen2USB 3.2 Gen2USB 3.2 Gen2
Maximum Sequential Reading SpeedUp to 1050 MB per secondUp to 1050 MB per secondUp to 1050 MB per second
Maximum Sequential Write SpeedUp to 1000 MB per secondUp to 1000 MB per secondUp to 1000 MB per second
IP RatingNoneIP65None
Drop ResistanceUp to 2 feetUp to 3 feetUp to 2 feet
SecurityPassword protectionPassword protectionPassword protection

Fingerprint recognition
SoftwareSamsung Portable SSD Software 1.0

Samsung Magician Software
Samsung Portable SSD Software 1.0

Samsung Magician Software
Samsung Portable SSD Software 1.0

Samsung Magician Software
EncryptionAES 256-bit hardware encryptionAES 256-bit hardware encryptionAES 256-bit hardware encryption
Rubberized GripNoYesNo
Operating Temperature Range0°C to 60°C0°C to 60°C0°C to 60°C
Non-Operating Temperature Range-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C
Non-Operating Shock Resistance1,500G, 0.5 ms duration and 3 axis1,500G, 0.5 ms duration and 3 axis1,500G, 0.5 ms duration and 3 axis
Non-Operating Vibration Resistance10~2,000 Hz, 20G20~2,000 Hz, 20G10~2,000 Hz, 20G
CertificationsCE

BSMI

KC

VCCI

C-tick

FCC

IC

UL

TUV

CB

EAC

UKCA

BIS
CE

BSMI

KC

VCCI

C-tick

FCC

IC

UL

TUV

CB

EAC

UKCA

BIS
CE

BSMI

KC

VCCI

C-tick

FCC

IC

UL

TUV

CB

EAC

UKCA

BIS
Warranty3-year limited warranty3-year limited warranty3-year limited warranty
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

Size Options

The new Samsung T7 Shield is available in the 1 TB and 2 TB capacities. Both the T7 and T7 Touch SSDs offer a 500 GB option to go along with the 1 TB and 2 TB options.

What’s in the Box

Along with the solid state drive, each product also comes with the following in the box:

  • USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable
  • USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty Statement

Dimensions

When it comes to the physical size of the portable SSD, the new T7 Shield is slightly wider and longer than the other two storage drives. The Sheild version is also nearly twice as thick as the other two products.

You can take a look at the full measurements, which is shown as Width x Height x Depth, below:

  • T7: 3.4 inches in width x 2.2 inches in height x 0.3 inches in depth
  • T7 Shield: 3.5 inches in width x 2.3 inches in height x 0.5 inches in depth
  • T7 Touch: 3.4 inches in width x 2.2 inches in height x 0.3 inches in depth

Weight

The T7 and T7 Touch weigh the same at around 57 grams. The Shield version is nearly twice as heavy, weighing in at around 98 grams.

USB Interface

All three external solid state drives use the USB 3.2 Gen2 interface, which provides a transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps.

Maximum Sequential Reading Speed

The T7, T7 Shield and T7 Touch portable storage state drives have a maximum sequential read speed of up to 1050 MB per second.

Maximum Sequential Write Speed

All three external drives also have a maximum sequential write speed of up to 1000 MB per second.

IP Rating

When it comes to dust and water resistance, the Samsung T7 Shield Portable Solid State Drive is the only one to offer any protection.

With an IP65 rating, the Shield version is fully dust tight in addition to being able to be submerged underwater at a maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.

Drop Resistance

The Samsung T7 and Samsung T7 Touch offer a drop resistance of up to 2 meters. The Samsung T7 Shield is even better in this category as it offers a drop resistance of up to 3 meters.

Security

When it comes to security, all three external storage drives in this comparison provide password protection.

The T7 Touch is the only variant to offer fingerprint recognition as you can use its fingerprint sensor to offer additional security in order to keep the content stored on the SSD from being accessed.

Software

All three versions of the Samsung T7 support the Samsung Portable SSD Software 1.0 and Samsung Magician Software.

Encryption

As for the encryption, these portable solid state drives use AES 256-bit hardware encryption.

Rubberized Grip

The Samsung T7 Shield Portable Solid State Drive is the only product from the T7 series to feature a rubberized grip, which should make it easier to hold when compared to the other variants.

Operating Temperature Range

The operating temperature range are the same for these three SSDs at 0°C to 60°C.

Non-Operating Temperature Range

When it comes to the non-operating temperature, all three have a recommended range of -40°C to 85°C.

Non-Operating Shock Resistance

These portable storage drives have the same non-operating shock resistance specifications at 1,500G, 0.5 ms duration and 3 axis.

Non-Operating Vibration Resistance

You can find the non-operating vibration resistance specs for the T7, T7 Sheild and T7 Touch below:

  • T7: 10~2,000 Hz, 20G
  • T7 Shield: 20~2,000 Hz, 20G
  • T7 Touch: 10~2,000 Hz, 20G

Certifications

All three variants of the Samsung T7 series have received the following certifications:

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

Warranty

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