Lexar D70E: a dual-port SSD that ditches the cable hunt
Lexar's new Dual Drive Portable SSD D70E solves a small but persistent annoyance: needing a cable or adapter every time you move files between devices with different ports. The drive has both a USB-C and a USB-A connector built in, switching between them via a retractable slide mechanism. At $119.99 for 512GB, it undercuts the SanDisk Extreme Portable — though it skips the weatherproofing.
The design
The metal shell is compact enough to pocket and weighs just 55g. A lanyard loop is built into the casing, so it can clip to a bag or keyring. There are no loose caps to lose: sliding the mechanism exposes whichever connector you need and retracts the other. Three storage tiers are available — 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB — at $119.99, $199.99, and $299.99 respectively (£129.99, £199.99, and £299.99 in the UK). Lexar backs all three with a five-year limited warranty.
The speeds
On USB-C, the D70E uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, with rated read speeds up to 2,000MB/s. Write speeds hit 1,800MB/s on the 1TB and 2TB models; the 512GB version is capped at 1,300MB/s write. Those numbers look impressive, but per Gizmochina they require a host device that actually supports Gen 2x2 — a standard still absent from many current laptops, which default to the older Gen 2 ceiling of 1,000MB/s. Plug into USB-A and you're limited to 1,000MB/s read and 900MB/s write regardless, because that's the interface limit. Still faster than any flash drive, but worth knowing before you buy for speed.
The use case
The D70E is a natural fit for iPhone 15 and 16 owners — the USB-C connector slots straight in for photo and video backup without an adapter. Android users with USB-C phones get the same convenience. Lexar includes an app that can trigger automatic backups the moment the drive is connected, useful for anyone whose phone storage fills up mid-trip or mid-shoot.
PetaPixel notes that thumb-drive-style durability has limits for sustained video recording workflows despite the headline speeds — something to weigh up if you're a videographer planning heavy continuous writes. For everyday backup, file transfers, and travel storage, though, the dual-connector approach removes a genuine friction point without inflating the price.