Samsung BAR Plus 128GB Gray
Score: 77/100
SSK Dual USB-C 128GB
Score: 73/100Rankings
The Samsung BAR Plus 128 GB USB flash drive combines a sleek metal body with waterproof and shock-proof protection, offering decent performance for everyday use. However, real-world read speeds are lower than advertised and some users experience occasional disconnections and heat issues. It suits casual users and professionals who value durability over top-tier speed.
The SSK 128 GB dual USB-C/A drive promises ultra-fast 550 MB/s reads and a waterproof, shock-resistant metal case. In practice it overheats and can throttle, with hinge durability concerns. Fits casual photographers needing occasional high-speed transfers.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
128 GBbest | 128 GBbest | |
400 MB/s | 550 MB/sbest | |
61.84 MB/s | 520 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 1.13 gbest | 37 g |
5 yearsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(2) | ||
Read Speed (MB/s) | 400 MB/s | 550 MB/s |
Write Speed (MB/s) | 61.84 MB/s | 520 MB/s |
Connectivity(2) | ||
USB Version | USB 3.1 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Interface | Type-A | USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 1.13 g | 37 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 12x15.5x40.1 mm | 78.0×20.5×8.6 mm mm |
Material | Metal | High-grade zinc alloy |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers acknowledge the BAR Plus as a solid mid-range USB flash drive that delivers a noticeable performance jump over Samsung's older BAR 3.0 while maintaining an attractive price per gigabyte. They commend its metal build, compact design, and five-year warranty, but criticize the gap between advertised (400 MB/s) and real-world sequential read speeds (≈283 MB/s) and its modest write speeds, positioning it below premium options like the SanDisk Extreme Pro.
Everyday users generally praise the drive's durability, attractive design, and ample 128GB capacity, noting reliable plug-and-play operation across devices. Recurring complaints focus on occasional disconnections, heat buildup that can lead to failure, and the lack of a dust cap, with a few reports of corrupted files during transfers.
Professional reviewers, notably a Critical Reviews YouTube analysis, criticize the SSK drive for severe overheating, inconsistent sustained speeds, high power draw on iOS devices, and fragile USB-C hinge, concluding that despite its premium feel and advertised peak performance, the product suffers from reliability issues that outweigh its advantages.
Everyday users praise the dual-connector convenience and the solid, premium feel of the metal housing, but common complaints focus on rapid heating, speed throttling after short use, hinge durability problems, power-draw warnings on iPhone 15, and occasional early failures, making the drive suitable only for occasional light transfers.
