This rugged SSD survived my bag, pocket, and a few drops - but I'm still wary of the build quality

ADATA SC735: 30-second review

The Adata SC735 is essentially a compact portable SSD with an integrated USB-C connector that enables you to quickly plug into computers, laptops, mobile devices and tablets without the need for a cable. The small retractable connector is neatly stored within the body of the drive, and using the push slider on the back of the unit, you can extend the connector ready to insert into whatever device you want.

Whilst the overall design is very neat and it's an OK looking device, the actual plastics and build quality feel on the cheap side. However, that build quality is reinforced with an MIL-STD-810G 516.6 certification, which essentially means that it is impact-resistant and tested from a drop height of 1.22m. While it might have that military standard testing, there's still quite a bit of flex in its plastic casing, which makes it fine for occasional and light use but not something that I'd rely on on a day-to-day basis.

Also, whilst it is ultra-compact and portable, I would've liked to have seen some sort of lanyard loop built into the case, just as an added security measure. However, the design keeps things simple, and aside from some detailing on the outside, the actual aesthetics are very simple.

In use, while I have reservations about the build quality, the actual performance is exceptionally good, with read speeds almost up to the maximum write speed of 1000 MB per second, although it is notable that write speeds are considerably less.

Once again, this is an Adata SSD which, whilst very good on performance, is solely focused on the hardware. There are no software or backup tools included with the drive. So, if you do want any form of security or maintenance, you'll have to look for other solutions.

As a relatively cheap, large-capacity and fast portable SSD that can be used out in the field for archiving images, video and other content, this drive is exceptionally well balanced. However, if you're working in the professional market and need something for day-to-day use, then I would look to spend a little bit extra due to the build quality, maybe something like the Adata SD810.

ADATA SC735: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From £129 / $119
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Adata

The Adata SC735 external SSD is widely available and in a variety of different capacities, including a 512GB version retailing for £54 or $50, a 1TB version at £79 or $75, and the 2TB version that I've looked at in this review, which retails for £129 or $120.

• Value: 3 / 5

ADATA SC735: Specs

Storage: 1TB / 2TB
Ports: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
Connectivity: USB-C to USB-C & USB-C to USB-A cables included
Size: 55 x 28 x 12.1mm
Weight: 13.6g
Accessories: N/A

ADATA SC735: Design

There's no doubt that the slim, lightweight portable design of the Adata SC735 has been designed with portability in mind. It's extremely compact, coming in at 55 x 28.5 x 12.5mm and weighing just 13.6g, making it one of the lightest large-capacity SSDs on the market.

The design also reflects many other outdoorsy, rugged electronic devices, with the accent blue lines and geometric design giving it a futuristic, almost sci-fi look, but also makes it aesthetically dated. This has been a design theme that Adata has adopted for years.

The actual physical rather than aesthetic design of the drive is nice, and the small size makes it ultra-portable, but I do wish there were a little lanyard loop, just so I could attach it to a bag. As it is, the small drive does feel very plastic, and there's a bit of flex in the casing when you pick it up.

Straight out of the packet, it just looks like a small square box, but flip it over onto the back, and there's a push slider. This slider essentially enables you to extend or retract the USB connector.

The design is akin to an oversized memory stick you'd pick up from any stationery shop on the High Street, but with a far larger capacity and potential for far faster transfer speeds.

When it comes to connectivity options, that retractable connector utilises the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Gbps and is fully backwards-compatible with previous as well as more modern interfaces, including Thunderbolt 5.

Because it uses the slightly older USB interface, it has wide compatibility and can be used with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS devices without issue. It arrives in the exFAT file format, with the ability to reformat it into whichever operating system you need it to work with.

• Design: 2.5 / 5

ADATA SC735: Features

If you need a drive with wide compatibility, not only with Mac, PC, Android, iOS and Linux systems, but also with both older and newer devices, then this external SSD is a superb option, as long as whatever device you're plugging into has a Type-C connector.

Unlike other high-performance drives of this type, the casing is plastic rather than metal, which would help to dissipate the heat. So, if you want to use this as a working drive, you will be able to edit HD and some 4K video, but it's worth keeping in mind that there will inevitably be some thermal throttling.

The drive is pre-formatted in the exFAT file format. It already has wide compatibility, but as it utilises the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, there are very few devices now that don't offer some form of compatibility. In all the devices I tested this small drive with, it was instantly recognised, even enabling me to shoot ProRes footage on my iPhone 15 Pro.

When it comes to those all-important transfer rates, the drive offers sequential read speeds up to 1050 MB per second and write speeds of about 1000 MB per second, which, for a device of this small size, is impressive.

This is a drive designed for archiving and storing footage rather than for use as a working drive. It's also worth noting that there's no software or encryption utilities included. So, if you want a drive that offers full encryption, you'll need to do this through your OS or through a third-party option.

• Features: 3 / 5

ADATA SC735: Performance

I'm never taken with the stereotypical outdoors look that many rugged devices used to use, but thankfully, most manufacturers have moved on; however, here with the Adata SC735, that aesthetic style seems to remain.

If the design added to the performance in any way that would give it some balance, but as it is, it just feels plasticky rather than robust. Design aside, the drive offers high-capacity storage, and when you consider the price, quite a bit of potential.

The small size does make it exceptionally portable, and the light weight and lack of need for an additional cable due to the integrated connector make it very convenient, which means that it can sit in your jacket or backpack pocket almost unnoticed. As previously mentioned, a lanyard loop wouldn't have gone amiss in the design just to help tether it to a backpack or bag. Devices of this size, while convenient, are also exceptionally easy to lose, so a lanyard loop just gives you that sense of security.

Design and build quality aside, I do really like the retractable design of the USB-C interface. On all systems I tried, from Mac to PC and even my iPhone 15 Pro, it worked exceptionally well. Because of its small size and lightweight nature, it can just sit comfortably in the laptop or mobile device without causing much obstruction.

In use, due to the exFAT file format, the drive is instantly recognised, so you can get started with its use immediately. Unlike other drives, there's no software installed, so you just plug it in and get started. If you do want any added form of security or drive management, then you'll need to look at a third-party option. Reinforcing that this is an entry-level external SSD.

Likewise, although the drive offered excellent performance throughout testing, it is really designed for the storage of high-resolution images and video rather than being used as a working drive, as there is very little heat dissipation. Thermal throttling does start to impact performance after about 20 minutes of trying to edit HD video in DaVinci Resolve.

At the end of testing, I was impressed by the overall performance, and whilst I have reservations about the build quality, having had it sat in my jacket or pocket within my backpack for the last week, it seems to have stood up to day-to-day life pretty well. With that military drop-test certification, it actually proved to be far more robust than I expected.

If you are looking for a relatively cheap, compact, fast external SSD, then the ADATA SC735 is a good option, although at the price, there are other solutions out there with a far better and more robust-feeling build quality.

• Performance: 4 / 5

ADATA SC735: Final verdict

The Adata SC735 is essentially a slightly oversized USB stick that offers high-capacity storage alongside speed at a relatively decent price. It also has some great features like the retractable USB-C connector. This enables you to plug it into almost any electronic device you want, and the fact that it has compatibility with the iPhone series of smartphones, enabling shooting ProRes video footage if you're so inclined, makes it extremely versatile.

My one reservation about this drive is the plasticky feel. It's just a little bit more plastic and flexible than I would've liked for something that is sold as a rugged drive, and the fact that it doesn't have a lanyard loop, again, with its small size, means that it could easily get lost, especially when you're working out in the field.

The design also feels just a little bit try-hard with its blue accent aesthetics that feel a little dated.

However, when it comes to functionality, the retractable USB connector alongside the large capacity, speed and compatibility across multiple devices does make this a great option. So, if you're looking for a relatively cheap, high-capacity portable SSD, then the ADATA SC735 could be a good option, but for my money, because of that build quality, I would probably invest elsewhere.

Should I buy the Adata SC735?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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