Lexar has launched a new portable SSD range designed for smartphones. The Lexar ES5 is MagSafe compatible and supports both Apple ProRes and Samsung Pro video.
Lexar ES5
The Lexar ES5 is a compact magnetic portable SSD measuring just 3.34 inches (85 mm) by 2.12 inches (54 mm) by 0.43 inches (11 mm). It’s also super lightweight at 0.176 pounds (80 g). You can choose between three capacities: 1 TB, 2 TB and a 4 TB option, which is set to be released in early 2026. Additionally, the ES5 supports MagSafe to attach to a compatible iPhone quickly and easily. There’s an included magnetic metal ring accessory to attach the drive to other devices as well. The ES5 comes in a silver colorway with what Lexar calls a “liquid silicone build that provides a comfortable grip.”
Maximum transfer speeds
The Lexar ES5 magnetic portable SSD features a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which delivers read and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s. However, it’s important to note that this is not supported by Apple devices, which are limited to USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds. As a result, with a Mac or an iPhone, the maximum transfer speed is 10 Gbps.
In addition, the Samsung S25 Ultra supports USB 3.2 Gen 1, which can only reach maximum transfer speeds of 5 Gbps. This means that those devices won’t be able to achieve the maximum speeds quoted by Lexar.
Video recording
Lexar states that the ES5 magnetic portable SSD supports Apple ProRes and Samsung Video recording. You can record directly to the drive in up to 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) with an iPhone 15 series or 4K at 120 fps with an iPhone 16 series device and above. For Samsung users, the ES5 will also work up to 8K at 30 fps with S25 or above. Lexar hasn’t confirmed whether or not the new SSDs will be compatible with ProRes RAW recording on the iPhone at the time of writing.
Other features
The Lexar ES5 magnetic portable SSD is rated IP65 for dust and water resistance. It is also drop-resistant for up to 9.8 feet (3 meters). This means your data should be safe when you are out on location. Lexar also says that the ES5 is designed to maintain optimal temperature at all times, so your transfer speeds won’t be affected.
Also, the ES5 also features a cable organizer that doubles as a lanyard so you can easily carry your drive with you on the go.
What we think
The Lexar ES5 magnetic portable SSD is a neat accessory for recording video externally with your smartphone. Using either MagSafe or the included adaptor, you can easily and securely attach the drive to your device. It is also compact and lightweight, so you won’t find your smartphone too unwieldy with the ES5 onboard. You won’t be able to take advantage of the drive’s maximum transfer speeds unless you are using a Windows PC. However, those limitations arise from the design of the iPhone or Samsung S25, so they will apply to any external drive. You can still be reassured that the drive will support the video recording speeds quoted by Lexar. If you want to expand the video recording time of your smartphone, the Lexar ES5 magnetic portable SSD is a useful option to explore.
Pricing and availability
The Lexar ES5 magnetic portable SSD costs $119 for the 1 TB drive and $199 for the 2 TB model. Lexar hasn’t announced pricing or a release date for the 4 TB version at the time of writing.
