SanDisk's Highest Capacity USB Flash Drive Ever, Ultra USB 3.0 At 256 GB

By Chris Ramseyer
published

SanDisk has leveraged next generation NAND flash lithography to produce a number of new products for Computex 2015. The new SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive packs 256 GB of data into a small package that is capable of delivering up to 100 MB/s.

The new Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive is SanDisk's first 256 GB thumb drive and sets a high mark for this product category. To differentiate from a crowded field, SanDisk offers the drive with a five-year warranty and includes encryption software that takes advantage of the built-in 128-bit encryption. SanDisk's SecureAccess software keeps private files safe with password protection. RescuePRO software also ships with the drive.

iNAND type package implementations where the controller and NAND die are packaged together allow for smaller designs that don't overheat or pull power at the upper limits of USB 3.0. Many of the large capacity designs we've tested over the years run very hot and either throttle to reduce heat (and transfer performance) or become unreliable over extended use periods. NAND flash endurance decreases when written to at higher than normal temperature. SanDisk's commitment to a full five-year warranty tells us this product was built for general consumers and is not a specialty product that needs to be looked after with special usage conditions.

The SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive goes on sale today worldwide with an MSRP of $199.99.

Chris Ramseyer is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware, covering Storage. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow Tom's Hardware on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Chris Ramseyer
Chris Ramseyer
Chris Ramseyer is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews consumer storage.
8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • PaulBags
    That's more expensive than their new extreme 500 ssd 256gb, so why would I want this?
    Reply
  • Aks_X
    That's more expensive than their new extreme 500 ssd 256gb, so why would I want this?
    - Portability through:
    1) Size
    &
    2) Connectivity (External USB = Easier)
    Reply
  • beetlejuicegr
    well with a 20$ usb3 sata enclusure it would still be faster than this usb flash and almost as portable^^
    Reply
  • Arabian Knight
    I thought we already have upto 1 TB USB3 Sticks ??

    like the

    Corsair Flash Voyager GS 512GB, USB 3.0

    http://www.corsair.com/en/flash-voyager-gs-usb-3-0-512gb-flash-drive-b


    and


    Kingston DataTraveler HyperX Predator 1TB, USB 3.0

    http://www.kingston.com/en/company/press/article/6487

    Reply
  • PaulBags
    But the extreme 500 ssd 256gb IS usb, heck it was the news item right before this one. It's _maybe_ twice the size of this thing (which is a good thing in my book), costs $50 less, and has much higher performance.

    The sandisk article after this one is a dime sized 128gb usb drive, that also has better performance than this, for $119.

    So I'll ask again: why would anyone want _this_ model? Downvoting isn't a reason. It's easy, just start "I'd prefer this one because".
    Reply
  • PaulBags
    I thought we already have upto 1 TB USB3 Sticks ??

    like the

    Corsair Flash Voyager GS 512GB, USB 3.0

    http://www.corsair.com/en/flash-voyager-gs-usb-3-0-512gb-flash-drive-b


    and


    Kingston DataTraveler HyperX Predator 1TB, USB 3.0

    http://www.kingston.com/en/company/press/article/6487
    Yes but this is _sandisks_ highest capacity, not "the highest capacity ever". Pay careful attention to the wording, that's how marketing gets you.
    Reply
  • SaiYuk
    I think it's great we are seeing ever-increasing capacity in this form factor.

    There are larger capacity drives, but they are generally bigger.
    There are similar capacity drives that are way smaller, but I have one of these and it's a real pain in the ass to get out of a lot of USB ports!

    Can't wait to see them release a 1TB version!
    Reply
  • unityole
    But the extreme 500 ssd 256gb IS usb, heck it was the news item right before this one. It's _maybe_ twice the size of this thing (which is a good thing in my book), costs $50 less, and has much higher performance.

    The sandisk article after this one is a dime sized 128gb usb drive, that also has better performance than this, for $119.

    So I'll ask again: why would anyone want _this_ model? Downvoting isn't a reason. It's easy, just start "I'd prefer this one because".

    performance is way too slow too, patriot released something much faster at same capacity or greater i believe. if it doesnt max at 400MB/s read and at least 200+ MB/s write no point getting it.
    Reply