The Lexar Go with Hub offers a remarkably convenient way to add significant storage and extra USB ports to your smartphone. This compact and durable device is perfect for on-the-go content creators who need extra storage capacity. But does its performance justify the premium price? Let’s delve into the details.
Design and Features
The Lexar Go SSD is incredibly small and lightweight. Measuring approximately 1.75 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 0.35 inches thick, it’s barely noticeable when attached to a phone. Its IP65 rating ensures durability against dust and moisture.
The included hub, slightly larger at 1.75 inches square and the same thickness, adds three extra Type-C ports. Both the SSD and hub connect to your phone using small Type-C connectors, designed to sit flush against the back.
The kit also includes a tripod adapter with a built-in Type-C connector and cable for connecting to the hub or SSD. Everything is neatly packaged in a compact travel case.
alt text: The Lexar Go SSD connected to a smartphone with the included hub and tripod adapter
One minor issue is the tight fit of the Go SSD’s Type-C connector. While this ensures a secure connection, it can be a bit difficult to plug in.
Pricing and Value
The Lexar Go with Hub comes at a premium. The 2TB version is significantly more expensive than comparable 10Gbps USB SSDs. The 1TB version also carries a similar price premium.
This higher cost is attributed to the compact design and added convenience. Whether this justifies the extra expense depends on your individual needs and priorities.
alt text: The Lexar Go SSD and hub inside their protective travel case.
Performance
In synthetic benchmarks, the Lexar Go’s sequential transfer speeds lagged behind some competitors, such as the SK Hynix Tube T31. However, in real-world 48GB transfer tests, the Lexar Go outperformed the Tube T31.
alt text: CrystalDiskMark 8 benchmark results comparing the Lexar Go SSD with the SK Hynix Tube T31. The Lexar Go shows lower sequential read and write speeds.
While the Lexar Go showed a slight slowdown during a 450GB write test, it remained consistent overall.
One important consideration is power consumption. The Lexar Go noticeably impacts phone battery life, so it’s recommended to only connect it when needed.
alt text: Benchmark results comparing 4K random read and write speeds of the Lexar Go SSD and SK Hynix Tube T31. The Lexar Go shows lower performance in these tests as well.
Final Verdict
The Lexar Go with Hub is a highly portable and convenient storage solution for smartphones. While its price is higher than standard external SSDs, the compact form factor, added ports, and rugged design cater to mobile content creators who prioritize these features. Its performance is more than adequate for demanding tasks like high-resolution video recording.
alt text: A graph comparing 48GB file transfer speeds of various SSDs, with the Lexar Go demonstrating competitive performance.
Testing Methodology
Drive tests were conducted on a Windows 11 system with an X790 motherboard, i5-12400 CPU, and 64GB of DDR5 RAM. Tests included CrystalDiskMark 8 and real-world file transfers.
alt text: A graph comparing 450GB file transfer speeds of several SSDs, showcasing the Lexar Go's sustained write performance.
