SanDisk iXpand
🔒 MAIN FEATURES
Last on our list of best photo sticks is SanDisk’s iXpand Flash Drive Go. It may not have ranked very high, but it’s still in the top 5 best devices out there, especially if you have an iPhone. While it has dual ports – USB and iOS lightning – iXpand prides itself being a flash drive for your iPhone. Has it ever run out of memory just as you were about to take some stunning holiday pictures or to film your child’s first steps? Luckily, with this device, you can free up space to not miss any moment in your life. iXpand also offers automatic photo and video backup – great for those who don’t have much time – and even the ability to shoot videos directly onto the drive, so you won’t even have to free up space. Just plug and film. For those who don’t have an iPhone, iXpand offers a USB 3.0 connector to transfer files to and from the computer.
DESIGN AND USE
SanDisk iXpand is a tiny and portable device, convenient to put on a lanyard, keychain, or simply carry in a pocket. It has a swivel design consisting of three parts: keyring hole to hang it on, lightning connector for iPhone, and USB/Type-A connector for PC/Mac. Swivel design also protects at least one of the ends from damage (one of them, however, always remains exposed). In terms of use, your files will be safe, for SanDisk offers password protection. There are three ways you can use it: automatically backup files from iPhone to iXpand, film or photograph directly onto the photo stick, or move files in and out of your PC/Mac. All of it can be achieved by simply plugging the device in. However, most of this only work if your mobile device supports the On-The-Go function.
VALUE
There are three memory options to choose from: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, meaning that you can fit approx. 150,000 photos in a single device. iPhone users are certain to appreciate it, as it makes memory storage issues a thing of the past. Besides, it's very simple to use, and dual ports make it suitable for PC and Mac. However, there were a few features that kept this photo stick from ranking higher on our list. For example, to actually take advantage of the auto-backup feature, your phone needs to support OTG. Another issue is that while swivel design sure is convenient, one of the ports is always exposed, which leaves it vulnerable to damage. Finally, most devices use Type-C connectors, so only Apple users will really appreciate this one. But if none of these features scare you, then SanDisk iXpand could be the one for you.