The USB Type-C port is an excellent innovation. It can deliver both power and high-speed data at the same time while letting device makers create even thinner laptops, tablets and smartphones. The port is already found on a variety of new gadgets, including the 12-inch Retina MacBook, a variety of Windows-based MacBook clones, and some of the hottest Android devices around.
But choosing USB-C devices also means you have to buy adapters or new gadgets that are fitted with these new connectors, including external storage solutions. Thankfully, SanDisk – well, Western Digital – is ready to save the day with a USB-C Dual Drive flash memory drive that can connect to a computer or smartphone via USB-C and USB 3.1.
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Announced at Computex 2016, the new drive comes in various storage capacities, including 16GB ($19.99), 32GB ($29.99), 64GB ($39.99) and 128GB ($69.99).
The flash drive has a reversible connector that lets you switch between USB-C and USB 3.1. When it comes to performance, the device boasts transfer speeds of up to 150MB/s which isn’t bad, considering this is a flash drive that we’re talking about.
The company expects to see 44% of all mobile phones sold worldwide to have USB-C connectors by 2020, so it’s likely the drive will play nice with a variety of devices set to launch in coming years, including the upcoming 2016 MacBook Pros that are tipped to feature USB-C ports as well.
You can already order SanDisk’s new Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash from Amazon – assuming there’s enough stock to go around.
The full press release follows below.
SanDisk Mobile Storage Portfolio Expanded with Faster, Higher Capacity USB Type-C Flash Drive
New SanDisk Ultra® Dual Drive USB Type-C offers hassle-free transfer between smartphones and next-generation USB-C devices
COMPUTEX 2016 — TAIPEI, Taiwan – June 1, 2016 – Western Digital® Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today expanded its line of SanDisk-branded mobile storage solutions with the new SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drive. The newest generation drive features a new retractable design, faster speeds and higher capacity, giving consumers the ability to quickly and easily free up space and transfer content between their smartphones and today’s USB-C devices1.
“With its reversible connector, impressive speeds, and multi-purpose potential, USB Type-C is a game-changer,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president of SanDisk product marketing, Western Digital. “More Type-C devices are entering the market and through our Type-C mobile drives, we can offer consumers a complete line of mobile storage solutions. The new SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drive now provides more than twice the capacity and offers the flexibility to quickly and conveniently move photos, videos and files between devices, as well as the freedom to expand device capacity.”
Now available in up to 128GB*, the sleek, new SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C includes one reversible USB Type-C connector and one standard USB (Type-A) connector, enabling users to easily free up space on a smartphone or tablet, or transfer files between smartphones, tablets and computers and next-generation devices. The drive also now delivers high-speed USB 3.1 performance of up to 150MB/s2 – offering users phenomenal speeds when moving their photos, videos and files to a computer.
“By 2020 we expect that 44 percent of all mobile phones sold worldwide will include a USB-C connector, that’s about 800% growth over the next four years,” said Ken Hyers, director, Wireless Device Strategies, Strategy Analytics. “At this rate of anticipated growth, we expect to see more and more solutions like the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drive that offer consumers a way to move and access their content between devices with varying connectors.”
The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drive also works with the SanDisk® Memory Zone app for Android, giving users an easy way to manage and back up content on their device. The app, which is available for free through the Google Play Store, auto-launches upon insertion of the drive into a compatible device, allowing immediate access to the user’s content.
The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drive complements the company’s suite of SanDisk brand USB Type-C flash memory solutions which range from USB drives to portable SSDs.
Pricing and Availability
The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Type-C Flash Drive features a five-year warranty, and is now available worldwide at Amazon and other leading retailers. The new offering comes in capacities of 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB with U.S. MSRPs of $19.99, $29.99, $39.99 and $69.99, respectively.
About Western Digital
Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) is an industry-leading provider of storage technologies and solutions that enable people to create, leverage, experience and preserve data. The company addresses ever-changing market needs by providing a full portfolio of compelling, high-quality storage solutions with customer-focused innovation, high efficiency, flexibility and speed. Our products are marketed under the HGST, SanDisk and WD brands to OEMs, distributors, resellers, cloud infrastructure providers and consumers. For more information, please visit http://www.hgst.com, http://www.wd.com, and http://www.sandisk.com.
About SanDisk
SanDisk, a Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) brand, provides trusted and innovative flash storage products that have transformed the electronics industry. SanDisk’s quality, state-of-the-art solutions are at the heart of many of the world’s largest data centers, and embedded in advanced smartphones, tablets and PCs. SanDisk’s consumer products are available at hundreds of thousands of retail stores worldwide.
