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Silver square portable SSD with magnetic back and USB-C cable

DATO

DATO ARES Q3 2TB portable SSD

SKU CH-QK5C-HXE5Q

Magnetic 2 TB portable SSD with 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds up to 1600 MB/s read and 1500 MB/s write for direct 4K ProRes HDR recording on iPhone 15, 16 and 17 Pro models

  • Total capacity2 TB
  • Sequential read speedUp to 1,600 MB/s
  • Sequential write speedUp to 1,500 MB/s
  • Interface typeUSB 3.2 Gen 2 × 2
  • Form factorPortable
  • Cache memory2 TB

Capacity 2TB

  • Magnetic MagSafe attachment secures the drive to iPhone 15/16/17 Pro Max
  • 1600 MB/s read and 1500 MB/s write speeds accelerate large file transfers
  • Direct 4K ProRes HDR recording to the SSD removes extra copy steps
  • 40 g weight and 64 x 64.3 x 12 mm size fit in any pocket
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C works with Windows, macOS, Linux, consoles and phones

Magnetic iPhone 15/16/17 Pro attachment

The DATO ARES Q3 is a 2TB portable SSD that snaps magnetically to iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro and 17 Pro Max models through MagSafe compatibility. It connects via USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C and includes a 40Gb/s USB-C cable plus a 10Gb/s USB-C to A adapter. The silver aluminium shell weighs 40 grams and measures 64 by 64.3 by 12 millimetres. It is built for mobile filmmakers and creators who need direct 4K ProRes HDR recording without intermediate transfers.

Sustained 20Gbps transfer behaviour

The drive delivers up to 1600 MB/s sequential read and 1500 MB/s sequential write over the 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 link. These rates are maintained during extended 4K ProRes HDR capture sessions and large project offloads, avoiding the thermal throttling typical of smaller stick-form drives. The aluminium body acts as a heatsink to keep performance stable across long writes. Plug-and-play operation works on Windows, macOS, Linux, PS5, Steam Deck and ROG Ally without driver installation.

2TB capacity for 4K ProRes HDR

The single specification that decides fit is the 2 terabyte capacity, which determines how many minutes of 4K ProRes HDR footage can be recorded before offloading. At typical ProRes bit-rates this provides roughly two to three hours of continuous recording. Users needing longer shoots or multi-camera projects will require a larger drive. The 500GB, 1TB and 4TB variants of the same series address those different storage needs.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Portable USB SSDs, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $201.99
Typical for this category: the median of 410 items is $202.99.
Total capacity 2 TB
Higher than about 60% of the 311 comparable items (median 1 TB).
Sequential read speed Up to 1,600 MB/s
Higher than about 66% of the 157 comparable items (median 1,050 MB/s).
Price per TB $101.00 per TB
Cheaper than about 75% of the 310 comparable items (median $142.00 per TB).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameDATO
Product lineARES Q3
Model nameARES Q3
Total capacity2 TB
Product colorSilver
Performance
Sequential read speedUp to 1,600 MB/s
Sequential write speedUp to 1,500 MB/s
Storage
Cache memory2 TB
Ports & slots
Interface typeUSB 3.2 Gen 2 × 2
Size & build
Form factorPortable
Overall width6.4 in x 6.4 in x 1.2 in
Product depth6.4 in x 6.4 in x 1.2 in
Overall height6.4 in x 6.4 in x 1.2 in
Product weight40 g
In the box
Included items40Gb/s USB-C to C cable with 10Gb/s USB- C to A adapter

Other versions of this model

3 more in the same range

Questions about this item

Does the 1600 MB/s read speed cause the ARES Q3 to get hot or draw more power during all-day use?

The drive weighs 40 grams and uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface rated at 20 Gbps; it has no fan and relies on its aluminium shell to dissipate heat during sustained transfers.

What host port or cable must I already have to reach the 1500 MB/s write speed on this 2 TB model?

You need a USB-C port that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps); the box includes a 40 Gbps USB-C to C cable and a 10 Gbps USB-C to A adapter for older ports.

Will the magnetic attachment work with my iPhone 15 Pro Max while I keep using a MagSafe case?

The ARES Q3 snaps magnetically to iPhone 15/16/17 Pro and Pro Max models and is compatible with MagSafe, so it attaches through a MagSafe case without extra hardware.

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