Planck Creator SSD 2TB Review: The Portable Storage I Trust on Every Shoot

REVIEW – Every content creator eventually hits the same wall: storage. I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of internal storage, and somehow it’s always full. Footage, screenshots, random app data, files I forgot existed. Every time I need to shoot something important, I’m scrambling through my camera roll, deleting clips I probably shouldn’t delete, just to free up enough space to hit record. It’s stressful. It’s annoying. And it’s happened to me more times than I want to admit.

That’s the problem Planck set out to solve with their Creator SSD. I’ve been testing the 2TB model for the past few weeks, and honestly, it’s changed how I think about mobile video work. This compact external drive plugs directly into my phone through USB-C. No cables dangling around, no adapters, no fumbling with accessories mid-shoot. I plug it in and start recording. That’s it.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
1TB: $189
2TB: $314 (on sale from $349)
Where to buy: PlanckGear

What It Is

Planck bills the Creator SSD as the world’s smallest phone-first SSD, and that claim holds up. The drive measures just 17 x 50 x 7.8 mm and weighs only 10 grams. It attaches directly to the bottom of my iPhone via USB-C, adding only a small chin to the phone’s profile. Available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, the NVMe-based drive delivers read/write speeds up to 1050 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2.

Here’s the portability advantage that matters to me: a lot of other portable SSD solutions require a MagSafe dongle or mounting bracket that eats up accessory options. I can’t use a MagSafe battery pack, a grip, or a gimbal mount at the same time as those solutions. The Planck plugs straight into USB-C and leaves everything else free. When I’m running light at an event or on location, that flexibility is huge.

The key feature for my workflow is direct ProRes recording through the native Camera app. I can shoot ProRes 4K at 60fps or 120fps straight to the Planck without touching my phone’s internal storage. Planck rates the 2TB model for 70 to 75 minutes of continuous 4K120 ProRes recording. That alone has changed how I approach mobile video work.

Why It Matters

Here’s the thing about phone storage: it’s shared space. My operating system, apps, photos, and cached data all compete for the same pool. Even with a 1TB phone, I’m never actually working with 1TB of available recording space. I’ve lived that frustration for years.

The Planck gives me dedicated storage. When I walk into a shoot or event, I know I’ve got 2TB of clean, empty space ready for footage. Nothing else is touching it. No random app updates eating into my buffer. No old photos from three years ago that I keep meaning to delete. Just space. Ready to go.

That peace of mind matters more to me than raw specs. And yes, the drive does draw power from my phone during recording, but in my testing the battery impact was comparable to shooting ProRes normally. No dramatic drain.

Build and Design

The aluminum housing serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. The body acts as a heatsink, pulling heat away from the NVMe drive during extended recording sessions. Planck designed the internal layout with thermal pads and passive airflow channels to maintain sustained speeds without throttling.

In practice, this means I can record long takes without the drive overheating or dropping frames. The direct plug-in design also eliminates cable stress and signal degradation, which can cause issues with traditional portable SSDs mounted on gimbals or rigs. I’ve dealt with that problem before. It’s not fun.

Durability is solid for field work. The drive’s water resistant and rated for drops up to 3 meters. Premium aluminum shell with shockproof polymer and water-resistant seals. Not IP68 rugged, but enough protection for run-and-gun shooting without babying the gear.

The form factor works surprisingly well for handheld shooting. Minimal added weight, balanced on the phone, and the aluminum stays cool enough to hold comfortably even after extended recording sessions. I’ve been carrying this 2TB review unit in my pocket for weeks now, and I barely notice it’s there. It just lives with me.

One thing I didn’t expect: even though it’s plugging directly into the USB-C port, the connection holds extremely well. No wobbling, no sense that it’s going to snap off. Unless I jam it up against something, I don’t have to worry about it breaking or coming loose. It just stays put. That kind of confidence matters when I’m shooting handheld or moving around on location.

What’s in the Box

Planck includes a few accessories that actually make sense for how I use this drive:

• Planck Creator SSD (my review unit is the 2TB model)
• Keychain holder for clipping the drive to a bag, lanyard, or keys
• Silicone bumper for grip and impact protection without adding bulk
• USB-C extender for clearance issues with thick cases or camera rigs
• Label stickers (grey, pack of 10) for identifying drives or projects
• 3-year warranty

I appreciate that Planck includes the USB-C extender instead of making it an add-on. I can keep the drive plugged directly into my phone most of the time, but if a case or rig gets in the way, I’m covered. The silicone bumper and keychain holder reinforce the idea that this drive is meant to live with me, not sit in a drawer. Toss it in a pocket, clip it to a bag, head to a shoot. No extra shopping required.

For a product that’s meant to remove friction from mobile workflows, the included accessories support that goal instead of complicating it.

Planck also offers an optional add-on called CreatorHub, a compact USB-C hub designed to expand what the Planck Creator SSD can do. I didn’t get one in for this review, but I’m hoping to test it at some point. Here’s what it adds:

• Dual Planck SSD support for connecting up to two drives at once
• 140W pass-through power delivery to keep devices charging while recording or transferring
• HDMI output up to 4K at 60Hz for external monitors
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports supporting speeds up to 1050 MB/s

When I’m running light, I don’t need it. The Planck plugged straight into my phone is the whole appeal. But if I’m at a desk, editing on a laptop, or running a more complex rig with a mic, monitor, and power source, CreatorHub looks like it could turn the Planck into a small production dock.

Planck’s positioning here is smart. The SSD stays minimal and portable, and the hub becomes optional infrastructure when the workflow grows. I can ignore it completely, or bring it in when I want one clean connection point instead of juggling adapters. The Planck stands on its own. CreatorHub is there if and when I want to go further.

Speed Where It Counts

All that thermal management pays off in the numbers. The 1050 MB/s rating is a peak figure, but what matters for video work is sustained write speed. ProRes 4K at 120fps demands around 440 MB/s of consistent throughput. In my testing with the 2TB unit, the Planck maintained well above that threshold during continuous recording. That’s exactly what I need.

Transfer speeds hold up when moving files to my laptop, too. I plug it into any USB-C 3.2 port and get fast offloads for editing. One drive handles both capture and transfer. My workflow stays simple.

Compatibility

I can plug the Planck into any USB-C device and it mounts as external storage. iPhones (15 Pro and newer for ProRes recording), Android phones, iPads, MacBooks, Windows laptops, Linux machines, PlayStation, Xbox. If it’s got USB-C, it works. The drive ships formatted exFAT for cross-platform compatibility out of the box.

For my iPhone workflow, the ProRes direct recording through the native Camera app is the headline feature. Android users get reliable high-speed storage without the ProRes integration, but the drive still handles high-bitrate video capture from third-party camera apps.

Pricing

The 1TB model runs $189 direct from Planck. The 2TB version is currently on sale for $314 (down from $349). Both are in stock and ship within 1 to 2 business days.

Yes, that’s a meaningful investment. For comparison, a Samsung T7 or SanDisk Extreme portable SSD runs cheaper, but neither offers the direct plug-in form factor or the seamless ProRes recording integration. I’ve used both of those drives. They’re fine. But they don’t solve the problem the same way. When I think about the cost of running out of storage at the wrong moment, or the price of dedicated camera gear that delivers the same recording flexibility, the math works out.

Planck backs the drive with a 3-year warranty and 365-day returns, which is generous for a storage accessory at this price point.

Looking Ahead

With CES just a couple weeks away, I’m excited that this 2TB review unit arrived when it did. Beyond everyday use, CES is going to be the real stress test. I’ll be shooting a ton of video on the show floor, and having everything save directly to the Planck means easier file transfers between my phone and laptop. I might even shoot directly to my MacBook with the drive plugged in there. Either way, 2TB of dedicated space heading into the busiest trade show of the year feels like a safety net I didn’t know I needed.

Final Thoughts

The Planck Creator SSD solves a real problem in a smart way. It’s not trying to be the fastest drive on the market or the cheapest external storage option. It’s built specifically for mobile content creators who need reliable, sustained performance in a form factor that disappears into the workflow.

I trust it. It’s always there when I need it. That’s the best thing I can say about any piece of gear.

What I like about the Planck Creator SSD 2TB

• Dedicated 2TB storage that removes stress before every shoot
• Direct USB-C plug-in with no cables or dongles to manage
• Sustained speeds that hold up for ProRes video recording
• Small and light enough to live in my pocket every day
• Secure connection with no wobble while shooting handheld
• Works across iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and other USB-C devices

What needs to be improved?

• A more affordable entry-level option would make this accessible to casual creators
• Pass-through charging support would help offset battery drain during marathon shoots

1TB: $189
2TB: $314 (on sale from $349)
Where to buy: PlanckGear
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Planck. Planck did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.