Samsung Electronics is unveiling a next-generation portable solid-state drive (SSD) that doubles the speed and capacity of existing products.
The company announced the launch of its portable SSDs, the P9 and P7, at Gamescom 2026, the world’s largest gaming show held in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday.
SSDs are external storage devices that use semiconductors to store data. The P series targets the demand for quickly storing and transferring large volumes of data, including ultra-high-definition videos, artificial intelligence (AI) content, and high-end games. It consists of the flagship model P9 and the versatile P7, designed for various environments including work, entertainment, and daily use.
As High-Capacity Content Proliferates, Portable SSD Market Grows
The demand for portable SSDs capable of rapidly storing and transferring large data is expanding as individuals handle more AI content, ultra-high-definition videos, and high-end games.
According to market research firm Industry Research, the global portable SSD market is projected to grow from about 2.8 billion USD in 2026 to approximately 5 billion USD by 2035, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.
The application of portable SSDs is also trending towards actual work environments, beyond simple file storage and backup. This shift is due to the increasing importance of stable performance in recording large data volumes during processes like high-resolution video shooting and editing, as well as game and AI content creation.
Particularly with the spread of generative AI, the data generated during work processes is increasing. This makes sufficient storage capacity and continuous write performance competitive advantages, beyond just quickly transferring files. As more consumers use multiple devices like smartphones, laptops, cameras, and game consoles, device compatibility and durability in real-world usage scenarios are becoming crucial.
P9 Doubles Speed and Capacity, P7 Enhances Everyday Usability
In response to these market changes, Samsung has improved the performance and capacity of its portable SSDs. The T9, released in 2023, had a maximum sequential read and write speed of 2,000 megabytes (MB) per second and a maximum capacity of 4 terabytes (TB).
The newly launched P9, based on the USB4 interface, supports a maximum sequential read speed of 4,000 MB/s and a write speed of 3,800 MB/s. This represents a twofold increase in read speed and about a 1.9-fold increase in write speed. The maximum capacity is 8 terabytes.
Faster transfer speeds reduce the time needed to move or retrieve large video or game files to and from the external SSD. Samsung claims the P9 is the world’s first product to achieve a 4,000 MB/s transfer speed with an 8TB USB4 device. This technological achievement earned it the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 Innovation Award.
The P9 supports 12K direct recording, thanks to its high continuous write performance. This allows professional creators to save and edit large RAW photos and ultra-high-definition videos directly on-site.
The P7 focuses on everyday data usage for photos, games, and work. It’s compatible with various devices including desktops, laptops, smartphones, game consoles, and cameras, and has passed a 2-meter drop impact test and shock and vibration durability verification.
Samsung plans to expand the use of portable SSDs through the P series, catering to both professional content creation environments and everyday data applications like photography, gaming, and work.
Kwon Hyung-seok, Executive Director of Samsung’s Memory Business Division, stated that the portable SSD P series will provide fast file storage and backup, offering an optimal working environment for professionals and various everyday users.
The P series will be available in four capacities: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB, and will be released sequentially in global markets, including South Korea, starting in September. The suggested retail prices for the P9 are 505,000 KRW (367 USD) for 1TB, 966,000 KRW (701 USD) for 2TB, 2,005,000 KRW (1,455 USD) for 4TB, and 4,010,000 KRW (2,910 USD) for 8TB. The P7 is priced at 431,000 KRW (313 USD) for 1TB, 817,000 KRW (593 USD) for 2TB, 1,708,000 KRW (1,240 USD) for 4TB, and 3,401,000 KRW (2,468 USD) for 8TB.
