The Planck SSD was created specifically for iPhone, and is so small and well-designed that it plugs into the handset’s USB-C port and practically disappears. But there’s still room for up to 2 terabytes of storage.
Even better, it’s rocket-fast. So fast that it enables high-resolution/high-framerate ProRes video to be recorded from iPhone Pro models, making the Planck SSD an ideal tool for creators and professional videographers.
I tested the drive and came away very impressed. It even comes with a useful collection of accessories.
Planck SSD review
Apple created ProRes as a high-quality video codec with visually lossless compression, so it preserves excellent image quality while significantly reducing file size compared to uncompressed video. ProRes supports various resolutions, including 4K. Any iPhone Pro or Pro Max going back to the iPhone 13 series can record in this format.
Even with compression, file sizes can get large. You almost certainly need to connect an SSD to your iPhone to record a useful amount of 4K ProRes at 60fps or 4K at 120fps. The Planck SSD is perfect for this. Just perfect.
Small in size, powerful in performance. Built for long, seamless recording.
The Planck SSD was developed to solve creative professionals' pain when managing large files on the go. The inspiration came from the need for a seamless, cable-free solution that simplifies the workflow for creators who require fast, portable storage.
- Fits tightly against iPhone
- Blazing Fast
- Extra cost for convenient size
Table of contents: Planck SSD review
- SSD designed for iPhone
- Cases and USB-C adapter
- iPhone SSD performance perfect for ProRes video
- Terabytes of storage capacity
- Not only for iPhone
- Planck SSD review: Final thoughts
- Pricing
SSD designed for iPhone
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
While you can connect any SSD that supports USB-C to your iPhone, most of them are too bulky to be practical for creators and professional videographers. But the Planck SSD is tiny. Even better, the USB-C connector is in the middle of one side, not the typical short edge, so the drive fits along the bottom edge of the handset, out of the way.
I have no problem using my iPhone with the Planck SSD inserted. It’s not obtrusive in any way. More importantly, the drive is small enough that it shouldn’t interfere with the mount you use when recording video, even a ring light.
The accessory must be removed to plug in a charging cable, but a mount with MagSafe wireless charging is simpler and keeps your handset constantly juiced up.
That said, I recommend you remove the drive when it’s not in use. Not because it’ll be in your way, but because an iPhone’s USB-C port can’t take the long-term stress. Putting the combo in your pocket or purse will put twisting pressure on the accessory that will eventually damage the port, or the drive’s connector, or both. Fortunately, there’s a form-fitting case for this product in the box.
Cases plus USB-C adapter
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
My first look at the Planck SSD, with the USB-C connector projecting from one side, made me concerned that it would be easily damaged in my camera bag. That occurred to the developers at Planck Gear also, and a wrap-around rubberized case to shield the drive comes in the box. The connector gets lots of extra protection.
There’s also a bumper case for the connector in the box. Put this on when using the SSD.
Cases aren’t the only add-ons included. You might need an adapter if you use a thick case. I keep my iPhone in a protective one from OtterBox, and the USB-C connector on the Planck SSD is long enough that I don’t need to remove the case to plug in the drive. However, if your iPhone case is quite hefty, you might need to turn to the USB-C adapter that comes with the product. It’s 0.8 inches long.
iPhone SSD performance is perfect for ProRes video
If you think you can plug just any flash drive into your iPad to record ProRes video, think again. Your external storage device must support data transfers of at least 220 MBps for 4K at 60fps ProRes and at least 440 MBps for 4K at 120fps ProRes. Those are requirements that the Planck SSD easily meets.
In my testing, I consistently get 873 MBps transferring a 10.74 GB test file onto the drive. A test file twice that size went at 943 MBps.
Terabytes of storage capacity
The Planck SSD comes in either 1TB or 2TB capacity options. Still, depending on your requirements, you might need multiple 2TB drives because ProRes files can be huge.
When recording 4K/120 ProRes 422 HQ — the highest quality available on an iPhone — five minutes of video takes up approximately 220GB. So 2TB gets you maybe 45 minutes of video.
Not only for iPhone
Just so there’s no confusion, nothing restricts the Planck SSD to only iPhones. Quite the contrary. As it connects via USB-C, you can plug it into any Apple computer as well as Windows and Android devices. And your Mac and iPad also take advantage of the high-speed data transfers offered by the drive.
A professional video setup might include two of these SSDs — one being used to record video while the other is offloading previously recorded ProRes files to a MacBook with a very hefty amount of storage capacity.
Planck SSD review: Final thoughts
Creators and videographers, this SSD is made for you. Plug it into your iPhone Pro or Pro Max, and you are ready to record the high-resolution/high-framerate ProRes video you need. Then easily transfer the files to your Mac for editing.
For this job, it’s better than built-in storage. And certainly far more affordable.
★★★★★
Pricing
The 1TB Planck SSD costs $169. The 2TB variant is $299. You can get SSDs that cost less, but they won’t be as convenient to use.
Small in size, powerful in performance. Built for long, seamless recording.
The Planck SSD was developed to solve creative professionals' pain when managing large files on the go. The inspiration came from the need for a seamless, cable-free solution that simplifies the workflow for creators who require fast, portable storage.
- Fits tightly against iPhone
- Blazing Fast
- Extra cost for convenient size
Planck Gear provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
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.
