Sandisk just launched a third generation of the Extreme Portable SSD. It offers 2,000 MBps data transfers, drop protection and more. Capacities go up to 4TB.
The drive will be joined later in 2026 with two more additions to the line of SSDs — one with even faster data transfer speeds, and the other expected to be more affordable.
Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD (V3): Better, stronger, faster
Built-in storage is wonderfully convenient, but it’s also the most expensive option. An external SSD can add terabytes of capacity to your Mac without breaking the bank. Of course, the external drive needs to be fast and rugged.
The new Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD (V3) is “built for anyone who needs fast, reliable storage for backing up big projects, clearing device space, or keeping content organized across devices,” promises its developer. That includes creatives, photo and video enthusiasts and professionals working with larger files.
The drive can transfer files at up to 2,000 MBps, compared to the 1,050 MBps transfer speed offered by the previous generation. Storage capacities range from 512GB to 2TB.
Because the accessory connects via USB-C, it can be easily used with Mac, iPad or iPhone. Transferring files between these computers is quick and secure.
Portability is clearly a priority. The latest version of the SSD measures 3.35 inches by 2.0 inches by 0.39 inches. It weighs a mere 0.1 pounds.
And so is survivability. The Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD (V3) can withstand a drop of up to 3 meters. And it boasts IP65 water and dust resistance, which means it can stand up to being rained on but not submerged. Users will have the option to secure files with 256-BIT AES encryption and password protection.
Note that published reports indicate the previous generation of this SSD has a high failure rate.
Available today?
Sandisk says the Extreme Portable SSD (V3) is “available now,” but at the time of this writing it is listed on the company’s website with a “notify me” message in place of “buy now.”.
When it actually goes on sale, the 1TB version will cost $259.99, the 2TB version will come in at $459.99, and the 2TB version will cost $919.99.
More Sandisk portable SSDs on the way
Image: Sandisk
Sandisk is also working on an Extreme Pro Portable SSD (V3) intended for professional photographers, filmmakers and designers. This will offer up to 4,000 MBps transfer speeds (double the non-Pro version) and capacities up to 8TB when it launches in the second half of 2026. Pricing has not yet been announced.
And this will be joined by the Sandisk Portable SSD (V3), a variant for students, and general office and home storage of files. It will support USB 3.2 Gen 2, so data transfers top out at 1000 MBps. Pricing for the 500GB, 1TB and 2TB versions has not yet been announced, but is expected to be lower than the other models in this new product line when it debuts in the second half of the year.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
