It's easy to assume your device is getting on a bit when it starts complaining that it's running out of space. Maybe Windows is warning you about low storage, your phone refuses to record another video, or you've had to delete games from your handheld.
In many cases, though, the device itself isn't the problem. Modern laptops, tablets, phones and handheld gaming systems are capable of much more than their built-in storage allows. As games get larger, cameras capture ever-higher-resolution photos and video, and AI-powered apps generate increasingly hefty files, it's often storage that reaches its limit first.
The good news is that expanding your storage is usually much cheaper than replacing the entire device. The trick is choosing the right type of storage for how you use your tech. So with that in mind, here are five upgrades that solve some of the most common storage headaches.
1. Running out of space on a USB-C laptop or tablet?
If your biggest frustration is simply running out of room for work documents, photos, downloads or presentations, a compact USB-C flash drive might be all you need.
The SANDISK Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive is designed to stay plugged into compatible USB-C laptops and tablets without protruding far from the chassis, making it a convenient option if you want extra capacity that's always available.
Rather than constantly juggling files or relying on cloud storage when you're offline, you can leave larger folders, media libraries or archived projects on the drive while keeping your device's internal storage free for apps and everyday tasks.
Performance is important here, too. On 128GB to 1TB¹ models, the drive offers read speeds of up to 400MB/s², meaning copying large batches of photos or opening sizable files is significantly quicker than many older USB drives. Available in capacities up to 1TB¹, it also leaves plenty of room to grow without taking up valuable desk space or requiring another cable to carry around.
If your laptop or tablet already has a USB-C port and simply needs more everyday storage, this is often the easiest upgrade to make.
2. Shooting 4K video on your phone? Record straight to an SSD
Smartphone cameras have become so capable that many creators now shoot entire projects without ever picking up a dedicated camera. The downside is that high-quality video consumes storage at an astonishing rate. That's particularly true if you're filming in Apple ProRes on a compatible iPhone, where just a few minutes of footage can occupy several gigabytes.
Instead of filling your phone's internal storage, the SANDISK Creator Phone SSD allows compatible smartphones to record directly onto external storage. For creators who regularly shoot long interviews, travel content, product videos or social media footage, this means you can keep recording without constantly worrying as much about available space.
The drive is MagSafe-compatible for supported phones and includes both a USB-C cable and an adhesive magnetic ring for wider compatibility with other devices. Recording directly to the SSD also simplifies your editing workflow, since the footage is already stored on external media that's ready to move to a compatible computer.
The Creator Phone SSD also supports direct capture of 4K 60fps Apple ProRes video on compatible devices, making it particularly useful for creators who want the highest recording quality without repeatedly clearing their phone's storage.
3. Need to move or back up large files? A portable SSD can save you hours
Whether you're editing photos, backing up a laptop before a trip, or moving a large project between machines, file size has a habit of creeping up. A few hundred holiday photos might only take minutes to transfer, but once you start dealing with RAW images, 4K footage or large game libraries, waiting for files to copy quickly becomes frustrating.
That's where a portable SSD like the SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD (V3) comes in. The 1TB to 4TB¹ models offer sequential read speeds of up to 2000MB/s², allowing compatible computers to transfer large files far more quickly than many older external hard drives.
Just as importantly, it's designed for life outside the home office. The drive is rated IP65 for water and dust resistance and offers up to three metres of drop protection³, making it a sensible companion if you're regularly travelling with valuable photos, videos or work files.
Security is another major consideration. If you're carrying client work or personal documents, the built-in password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption⁴ adds an extra layer of protection should the drive ever be lost or stolen.
4. Buying extra storage for a handheld console? Make sure it's microSD Express
While older console generations supported standard microSD cards, popular next-gen models requires microSD Express cards for game storage expansion. That's an important distinction, because buying the wrong type of card could leave you with storage that doesn't support your intended use.
The SANDISK microSD Express Card is designed specifically to meet those compatibility requirements.
Available in capacities up to 512GB¹, it also delivers read speeds of up to 880MB/s and write speeds of up to 650MB/s⁵, helping reduce the time spent downloading, installing and transferring compatible content.
If your digital game library continues to grow, choosing the correct card first time saves the hassle of replacing incompatible storage later. The easiest way to avoid confusion is simply to check that the storage solution of your choice, such as a microSD Express card, is specifically labeled as compatible with your new gaming console.
5. Need more room for your ROG Xbox Ally or Ally X games?
Handheld PC gaming has brought full-sized game libraries to devices small enough to slip into a backpack. The downside is that modern PC games can easily occupy tens — or even hundreds — of gigabytes each.
If you're finding yourself uninstalling games just to make room for the next download, expanding your storage can be a much easier solution.
The SANDISK microSD Card for ROG Xbox Ally (X) is officially licensed storage engineered specifically for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, giving owners a straightforward way to carry more games without constantly managing storage space.
Available in capacities up to 2TB¹, the card offers read speeds of up to 200MB/s and write speeds of up to 140MB/s⁶, making it well-suited to expanding a portable game library while keeping loading and file transfers responsive on supported hardware.
So with all that said, running out of storage doesn't necessarily mean it's time to replace your laptop, phone or handheld gaming device. In many cases, choosing the right storage upgrade is enough to solve the problem while extending the life of hardware you're otherwise happy with.
Whether you need a compact USB-C flash drive for everyday files, more space for games on your handheld, or additional storage for creative work and backups, Sandisk has you covered.
¹ 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. 1TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage capacity is less.
² Based on read speed, unless otherwise stated. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
³ Based on internal testing. IPEC 60529 IP65: Tested to withstand water flow (30 kPa) at 3 min.; limited dust contact does not interfere with operation. Must be clean and dry before use.
⁴ Password protection uses 256-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10+ and macOS v12+. Software download required, see www.sandisk.com/memoryzone.
⁵ [512GB] Up to 880MB/s read speeds. Up to 650MB/s write speeds. 220MB/s minimum sustained write speed. Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.
[256GB] Up to 880MB/s read speeds. Up to 650MB/s write speeds. 210MB/s minimum sustained write speed. Compatible device required capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.
⁶ [512GB-2TB] Up to 200MB/s read speed, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, require compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. Up to 140MB/s write speed. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes