Samsung Unveils P9 and P7 Portable SSDs with USB4 and 4,000MB/s Speeds
Samsung Electronics debuted its next-generation portable solid-state drive lineup, featuring USB4 connectivity, at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, according to an announcement on August 26, 2026. Headlined by the professional-grade P9 and the versatile P7, the new P Series brings doubled transfer speeds up to 4,000 megabytes-per-second to portable storage architectures, addressing intensive workflows like 12K video capture.
The Tech TL;DR:
- Blazing Speeds: The flagship P9 utilizes USB4 to deliver sequential read speeds up to 4,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 3,800 MB/s.
- Massive Capacity: Samsung introduces the world’s first 8TB USB4 portable SSD, offering high-density storage.
- Rugged Build: The P7 targets everyday users and mobile environments, backed by completed 2-meter drop testing and shock resistance.
Architectural Leap: Moving Beyond USB 3.2 to USB4 Performance Tiers
According to Samsung Electronics, the flagship P9 delivers sequential read speeds of up to 4,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 3,800 MB/s. These metrics are approximately twice the performance of the previous-generation 4-terabyte T9 drive, which operated on a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface delivering sequential read and write speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s.
Under the hood, the engineering focus centers on sustained write performance. Per official company specifications, this capability directly supports 12K direct recording workflows. Professional video editors and technical directors handling uncompressed RAW image sequences can capture and manipulate files directly from the drive without dropping frames.
Hardware Benchmarks, Pricing Tiers, and Capacity Scaling
The P Series scales across four distinct capacity tiers. According to SammyGuru reporting, the global rollout kicks off on August 31, 2026, with units arriving in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB configurations.
| Drive Model | Capacity | Sequential Read (Max) | Sequential Write (Max) | MSRP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung P9 (Flagship) | 1TB | 4,000 MB/s | 3,800 MB/s | $339.99 |
| Samsung P9 (Flagship) | 2TB | 4,000 MB/s | 3,800 MB/s | $649.99 |
| Samsung P9 (Flagship) | 4TB | 4,000 MB/s | 3,800 MB/s | $1,349.99 |
| Samsung P9 (Flagship) | 8TB | 4,000 MB/s | 3,800 MB/s | $2,699.99 |
| Samsung P7 (Versatile) | 1TB | USB4 | USB4 | $289.99 |
| Samsung P7 (Versatile) | 2TB | USB4 | USB4 | $549.99 |
| Samsung P7 (Versatile) | 4TB | USB4 | USB4 | $1,149.99 |
| Samsung P7 (Versatile) | 8TB | USB4 | USB4 | $2,289.99 |
# Check USB host controller capabilities and connection speeds
lspci -tv -d 1b21:
lsusb -t
cat /sys/bus/usb/devices/usb*/speed
Field Durability and Host Compatibility
Beyond raw performance metrics, physical resilience remains a core pillar for portable hardware deployed in unpredictable environments. According to Samsung Electronics, the versatile P7 model has completed rigorous 2-meter drop testing, alongside comprehensive shock and vibration durability evaluations.
Furthermore, the P7 maintains broad host compatibility across desktops, laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and professional cameras. Tommy Kwon, Vice President and Head of Brand Product Biz Team at Samsung Electronics, noted that the P Series is built to provide reliable performance as AI content creation and ultra-high-resolution video make massive data transfers a daily reality for professionals and consumers alike. Whether utilized as a high-speed scratch disk or a rugged archive, the integration of USB4 standardizes high-bandwidth access across diverse hardware ecosystems.
*Disclaimer: The technical analyses and security protocols detailed in this article are for informational purposes only. Always consult with certified IT and cybersecurity professionals before altering enterprise networks or handling sensitive data.*