TheiPhoneis one of the most up to pouch camera out there , especially if you harbour contentedness innovation ambitions , or simply want to stand out with “ esthetic ” video intend for social medium .
In either case , memory board space is a luxury — specially for someone who is all - in on the mobile - only workflow of capturing , redaction , and post photos . Naturally , one would gravitate in the direction of buying an iPhone with extra storage , but they get along in at quite a fat exchange premium . The Apple reposition tax , if you will .
“ Get yourself a portable SSD . ” That ’s a recurring bit of advice I ’ve received from many amateur “ mobigraphers ” and photojournalist in my Mexican valium . They ’re much cheaper and give you a lot more storage . It make sense .
But an SSD dangling from the iPhone ’s USB - speed of light port is not on the button a pleasant deal . The other solution is investing in one of those bulky protective cases , or even using a DIY appliance to hold the two devices in place .
The overarching root here is that even if you ’re saving money on the store upgrade – like any intellectual someone — there is a convenience tax to be paid with a portable SSD . What if the SSD tapped into the potential of MagSafe , and stuck to an iPhone ’s rearward shell like one of those pricey Apple pocketbook or power camber ? Dockcase turns that “ what if ” into a reality .
Dockcase ’s Smart Magsafe M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure tries to solve all the problems mentioned above . It not only face nerveless , but it ’s also one of the most hard-nosed iPhone accessories you could buy .
What exactly is this thing?
The Dockcase equipment is an inclosure for a small data format SSD . Specifically , 2230 and 2242 drives , the variety you will find crammed inside hand-held gaming cabinet such as theSteam Deckor theAsus ROG Ally . A few pill , such asMicrosoft ’s Surface Pro , also trust on these compact SSDs as a blank space - pull through solvent .
reckon of this natural enclosure as a forever and a day upgradable medium to park an SSD inside an iPhone . Theoretically , that is . The pear-shaped enclosure takes small data formatting SSDs that are dramatically more affordable than investing in a portable SSD .
The likes of Corsair and WDsell such small format SSDs for under $ 100 , offer up to 1 TB capacity . take into account how much Apple charges , Transcend ’s 128 GB 2242 SSD costs just $ 25 — a quarter of what Apple take for a similar capacity upgrade .
The inherent idea here is that you could bribe an enclosing like this one from Dockcase , plop in an SSD , and still save a lot more money compared to what Apple would pull from your wallet for an equivalent bump in onboard storage capacity .
For anyone stargaze of cinematic 4 K 24 frames per second ( Federal Protective Service ) or slo - moment 4 K 120fps videos , Apple mandates outside warehousing , so you will have to either invest in a portable SSD , or an envelopment like the one Dockcase fling and then purchase a sufficiently truehearted stick of your own .
How the Dockcase accessory works
Dockcase issue me with a mental test sampling that came with a 128 GB SK Hynix SSD installed within the enclosure . Thankfully , the retail package do with a screwdriver , so you may easily remove the two screw propeller hold the rearward plate in spot .
There are silicon pads underneath to check that that the enclosure does n’t end up scrape the iPhone ’s glass casing . The charismatic grip is jolly substantial , and during my time transcription videos , it firmly hold onto its spot firmly , irrespective of the phone ’s orientation course .
go down it up is pretty easy . In fact , you do n’t have to do anything on the SSD ’s screen itself . There ’s a multifunction clitoris on the side , which accepts both poor clicks and long - wardrobe gesture for pilot through the UI , which is just a few pages deep .
All you need to do is plug in a USB - C cable in your iPhone ’s USB - ampere-second port , and the other ending to the SSD enclosure . The overseas telegram Dockcase offers in the retail bundle admit 10Gbps passthrough , which is the unfinished minimum for allowing picture seizure on an external gadget .
The only standard you need to keep in idea is that the SSD should be formatted with exFAT , which is evenhandedly leisurely . As far as the build goes , Dockcase has used an aluminum alloy natural enclosure , which feels quite sturdy .
There are vents across the side circumference for warmth dissipation . This is a crucial addition , as the outfit tends to run hot . My most late video gaining control session spiked the temperature levels to 123 level Fahrenheit .
Let’s talk about the display
OK — countenance ’s babble out about the video display . It ’s not touch - sensitive , in case you ’re wondering . Ideally , when using an external memory gimmick for shooting with a sound , you do n’t really need a screenland atop the drive , since all the ascendance are useable right on the speech sound ’s blind .
On the Dockcase MagSafe enclosure , you get a projection screen that offers an at - a - glance view for crucial information such as office personnel casualty protection ( PLP ) status , scan and indite speed ( during video capture ) , and battery wellness in term of cycles .
With a long - press of the button , you will land on the bill of fare pageboy where you could enable or stop the read - only mode . This is a thoughtful addition , as it ensures that data is not deleted inadvertently , or any technical effect does n’t end up wiping a chunk of ( or the entire ) drive .
This is where you may also aline the baron delivery output ) Why ? Well , there ’s a second USB - century port on the machine that supports up to 100 watts of output for charging the legion gimmick . you could also change the language , adjust the screen door - on meter , or completely call on it off .
More importantly , this is the page where you’re able to restart the SSD inside , or reset it . There ’s a chance that depending on the SSD formatting status or the native software presets , you might need to restore it .
In my case , the SK Hynix driving force keep come back an erroneous belief substance every fourth dimension I wanted torecord ProRes footage . That keep back happening despite the cause being in exFAT format and the iPhone also translate it properly in the Camera as well as the Files app .
Since I did n’t already have any data on it , I restored the SSD using the physical button on the enclosure . If you already have files salvage on the movement , it ’s imperative to move them elsewhere before you restore the SSD .
Oh , also , a double tap on the button change the screen predilection by 90 stage . It ’s not exactly a living - changing fringe benefit , but it ’s still convenient in its own small way . Dockcase offers the MagSafe - ready enclosure in two variants — one with a 15W power supplying and a pricier clipping with a 100W power supply capacity .
The USB - C port is the USB v3.2 Gen 2 eccentric , which means the peak speeds you get are 10Gbps . It ’s not the loyal , but get the job done for most scenario .
What are the alternatives?
Apple already set the camera capabilities of your “ Pro ” flagship if you invest in the lowest - priced 128 GB storage variant , specially when it come to capturing in high spirits bod pace ProRes capture .
Now , it ’s already a crime if you trade a $ 1,000 sound with only 128 GB memory board , but that ’s just Apple . That position quo make it extravagantly clear that you need a root , one that is going to stick with your iPhone , literally and figuratively , during the course of television camera - first utilisation .
As you mount from 128 GB to 256 sarin , you bear an extra $ 100 . For that amount , you could get the excellent Samsung T7 portable SSD with 1 TB mental ability . If you go with the likes of Crucial or SanDisk , you may save even more of your severely - earned dollar .
If you ’re brave enough to spend on the equivalent 1 TB version of theiPhone 16 Pro , your bill goes all the way up to $ 1,499 . For the agiotage you pay to go from 128 GB to 1 TB , you could skip the Apple upgrade and buy the equivalent of 5 TB storage in portable SSDs .
The disadvantage ? You will have to go through the ordeal of plug a cable length into the iPhone ’s USB - C porthole to record all your footage on the external campaign . Oh , the hassle!On the positive side , you wo n’t have to go through the ordeal of attempt to transfer all those videos to a computing gadget .
So , which one is good ? Well , if you appreciate convenience , a portable SSD is the best selection . But if you essay the flexibility of swap in little format SSDs with simpleness , using nothing but a screwdriver , then an enclosure is where you should wait .
The Dockcase equipment just throws in a few superfluous conveniences , including MagSafe and a screen , to name a few . Looking over at the competitor , rival brands that also offer alike enclosures miss out on facilities like accessory might ports , power exit aegis , the confidence of a read - only mode , and health monitoring .
A cool and practical investment
Right now , the 15W version of the Dockcase MagSafe SSD enclosurestarts at just $ 49for early backers , while the 100W trimming is run for $ 79 via the Kickstarter movement . If you are after a gadget that bid the wash room of MagSafe and the versatility of a removable SSD , this can save you a lot of money .
Apple ’s current write speedrequirementsstand at 440 MB per sec for 4 K 120 fps ProRes telecasting . Moreover , you need at least a USB - blow cable with a 10Gbps transfer rate . With the Dockcase bundle , you are cover on both closing , as long as you foot a sufficiently firm small format SSD .
The pit ? Keep it as far away from water or dust as possible due to those heat release on the side . Also , if you are plan to habituate a gimbal , you are in for some uneasy adjustments . Just permit it drop , I ’d say , for such scenario .
In conclusion , a answer like this is more of a essential than a dressing table leverage . For normal usage , I can wholeheartedly recommend this . But even if your iPhone has an ample amount of storage space , I suggest endue in something like this to pip memories on the move and safely put in them .
