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AGI Mag EDM38: 30-second review
There are plenty of portable SSDs designed for use with mobile phones, but I have to say the AGI Mag Portable SSD is one of the neatest solutions I’ve recently seen. Its small, square shape and relatively slimline profile mean it attaches to the back of your phone like a limpet, nice and secure.
My only issue with the connection is that the ribbon cable features standard connectors, which means the cable sticks some way directly out of the end of the phone. Had they utilised a right-angle connector, it would have made the connection a little more comfortable and the phone easier to handle when shooting video or capturing stills.
When it comes to use, it’s 100 plug and play, and once connected, the drive is recognised by both iOS and Android systems, instantly opening up a large amount of expanded storage ready for your files.
As is common with many of the best portable SSD devices, it uses the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard, which offers impressively fast transfer speeds—provided your computer or mobile device supports the same generation. Otherwise, the top transfer rates of 2050MB/s drop down to the previous generation, where you’ll typically see a maximum of around 1000MB/s.
However, if you’re mainly using it with your mobile device or simply storing and transferring data securely, there’s really little to complain about. This is one of the better-made portable SSDs of its kind, offering decent performance and straightforward use in a very neat package.
AGI Mag EDM38: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? £105 / $105
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Widely available
The AGI Mag Portable SSD EDM38 is widely available across the globe, with a full list of regional retailers accessible via the AGI website – you can check it out on the official site by clicking here.
The model reviewed here is the 1TB version, which is currently available for around $105.
AGI Mag EDM38: Specs
Capacity: 1TB/2TB
Colour: Black & White
Dimensions(L x W x H): 62 x 62 x11.5mm
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C
Weight: 56g
Warranty: 3 years
AGI Mag EDM38: Design
The EDM38 magnetic portable SSD is nicely designed, with glossy white front and back plates made from high-quality plastic with metal side trim and a lanyard loop on the corner and the USB-C socket.
The overall quality feels exceptionally good, and while I’m looking at the white version in this review, there’s also a black and gold version available.
Rather than just being a standard portable SSD, this unit is MagSafe, so if you have an iPhone, it will simply attach to the back and hold securely. If you’re using an Android phone and want to expand the storage, AGI has included a sticky-back magnetic ring that can be attached to your phone case to keep the SSD in place.
The physical size, 62 x 62 x 11.5mm, and the weight of 56g means it doesn’t add much bulk or weight to your smartphone; I found this compact size also made it easier to handle than some of its larger SSD rivals.
In the box, alongside the SSD, is a short ribbon cable that plugs directly into the base of the SSD and your smartphone. The only point to mention is that the cable has straight connectors on both ends. While this is fine for the SSD end, it would be better to have a right-angle connector on the phone end, making it more comfortable to hold without the cable sticking several centimetres out from the base.
Once connected, the SSD is plug-and-play; no extra software is required. On iPhone, it enables access to ProRes video capture within the camera app and functions as expanded storage, easily accessed through the Files folder. Likewise, its use on Android phones is equally straightforward.
AGI Mag EDM38: Features
When it comes to features, the AGI Mag Magnetic Portable SSD EDM38 is extremely lightweight, compact and looks great. There are two options to choose from, either white or black; I had the white option for this review, with additional silver or gold trim options to suit your preferences.
The EDM38 has ultimately been designed for use with mobile devices, and this intended use is reinforced by the inclusion of MagSafe technology, enabling you to magnetically attach it to the back of your smartphone. For Android users, or for that matter if you want to attach it to another device, AGI includes a metal ring with a sticky back. This can be placed on your phone case or even on your laptop, making it possible to keep the SSD attached and out of the way.
One common feature of portable SSDs is the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which supports exceptionally fast transfer rates. You get read speeds of up to 2015MB per second and write speeds of up to 1800MB per second. This performance is more than enough for tasks like ProRes 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, making the drive suitable for use equally by professional content creator or anyone just wanting to expand their phone storage.
When it comes to capacity, there are two options available: the 1TB version reviewed here and a larger 2TB model if you need more space. Both versions offer the same compact design and fast performance, enabling plenty of flexibility depending on your needs – as a note, if you intend to shoot ProRes footage, then the 2TB is definitely the better option.
Aside from these features, the drive is very straightforward to use. It’s essentially a compact, simple storage device that offers fast transfer speeds and offers an easy way to expand your phone or laptop’s capacity
AGI Mag EDM38: Performance
I tested the AGI SSD EDM38 on two fronts. First, I used it alongside an iPhone 15 Pro as a way to expand storage and unlock the ProRes video format, which only activates when an external SSD is connected due to both the space and speed required to handle the file format.
I then tested it as a standard portable SSD with a MacBook Pro and desktop PC to assess overall performance and to determine whether there were any specific hardware requirements needed to achieve the full transfer capabilities of the drive, which is often the case with portable SSDs featuring the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface.
After using the drive for a week, it became clear that this portable SSD is very much designed with smartphones in mind. The MagSafe attachment connects securely to the back of the phone, and its compact size means it doesn’t add much bulk or weight. It’s small, neat, and practical to use.
My only ongoing comment, as mentioned earlier in the review, concerns the ribbon cable. While it’s clearly a high-quality cable, a right-angle connector on the phone end would have reduced how far it sticks out from the base of the device, making it slightly more comfortable to hold.
In terms of real-world performance, recording ProRes video footage on the iPhone worked; once connected, it took a couple of seconds to be recognised, at which point the ProRes icon could be tapped to activate. Once enabled, the drive kept pace with the phone’s demands, and I was able to capture 73 minutes of 4K footage at 60 frames per second without any issues. The drive, while warm, didn’t overheat. Once the footage was recorded, I transferred it over to a laptop, a MacBook Pro, for editing, and the process was seamless due to the USB-C cable.
I also tested the drive with the VIVO X200, and again, the EDM38 performed well, handling full video capture and playback, as well as storing and reviewing larger media files.
The second stage of testing involved using the SSD with a MacBook Pro and M1 Max chip, connecting via one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports. The transfer speeds were fast, and general tasks such as copying and editing large files were completed with ease. However, after running a few benchmarking tools, it became apparent that while the drive is fully compatible with Thunderbolt 4, the connection caps out at 10Gbps, half of what the drive can technically achieve via USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. This limitation is quite common and isn’t due to the drive itself but rather to the Mac’s Thunderbolt 4 hardware, which downgrades the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 transfer speeds.
Benchmarks
ATTO Disk Benchmark Read: 1930MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark Write: 1739MB/s
AS SSD Benchmark Read: 1897.03MB/s
AS SSD Benchmark Write: 1665MB/s
AJA System Test Lite Read: 1897MB/s
AJA System Test Lite Write: 1644.85MB/s
Crystal Disk Mark Read: 1944.33MB/s
Crystal Disk Mark Write: 1818.71MB/s
To see the full potential of the drive, I moved over to a PC equipped with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. Here, the performance was exactly as advertised. Read and write speeds were excellent, matching the claimed specifications, and the drive responded well under load.
One thing I noticed while stress-testing the drive on both mobile and desktop platforms was how well it managed heat. Even under continuous use, with benchmarking tools running for over an hour, the drive stayed relatively cool. There was some minor thermal throttling when pushed for extended periods, but nothing unexpected or disruptive. It remained more than capable of handling tasks like video editing straight from the drive in applications such as Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro X.
At the end of testing, both used as a smartphone storage solution or as a fast external drive for my laptop and then desktop, the AGI Mag Portable SSD EDM38 was able to deliver excellent performance throughout. I was impressed with the build quality and styling, and it performed consistently well across all machines, devices and benchmark tests.
AGI Mag EDM38: Final verdict
The AGI Mag EDM38 is a nicely designed SSD made primarily for mobile phones but equally suited for use as a compact, portable drive with a laptop. Considering the quality of the Build, it’s well priced, and with both 1TB and 2TB versions available, it offers more than enough extra storage for most needs.
As I’ve mentioned several times, the design and build quality are excellent, and even when the drive was under heavy load, it handled data transfers well. It only warmed slightly and showed minimal thermal throttling, making it perfect for filming with ProRes on an iPhone.
There are a few small features I really like—such as the MagSafe connection and the small LED next to the cable port, which clearly indicates the drive’s status. Really, the design keeps everything as simple as possible.
It’s a shame there’s no included software—backup tools or security features would be a useful addition, but this is intended as a straightforward plug-and-play device for expanding storage.
As a no-fuss portable SSD, there’s little to fault. I’d recommend it for mobile use in particular—and suggest picking up a right-angle cable for more comfortable handling when filming.
Should I buy a AGI Mag EDM38?
|
Value |
Far from the cheapest portable SSD on the market, but the quality and simplicity balance the cost |
4 |
|
Design |
Small slimline design that fits neatly onto the back of your phone, although the cable design could be improved |
4.5 |
|
Features |
This is a simple, straightforward additional storage option for your mobile or laptop, with little else to it |
3.5 |
|
Performance |
Fast transfer is required to capture ProRes video, but does utilise USB 3.2 2×2, which has some compatibility issues |
4.5 |
|
Overalls |
Overall, a great portable SSD that keeps things nice and simple, with superb performance |
4 |
Buy it if…
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For more storage solutions, we’ve reviewed the best external hard drives and best external hard drives for Mac.
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