ADATA SE800 1TB Portable SSD review - Introduction

ADATA SE800 Portable SSD  USB 3.1 Gen2
Hitting 1 Gigabyte per second with a portable USB SSD

We review the ADATA SE800 (512GB). This is a fast portable external storage unit reaching 1 GB/s over USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type C). But it's not just fast, it is water-proof as well. An external SSD that carries a retail price of $180 for the 1TB model while the 512GB model costs $100. The all-new SE800, builds on its predecessor, the SE730H, to deliver faster and an IP68 certified design. At 72.7 x 44 x 12.2mm and with a weight of only 40g excluding the cable it is very light-weight and small, easy to carry around and use.

Much like the SE730H this unit upholds a MIL-STD-810G 516.6 impact resistance test so it should survive accidental drops and shocks with ease. SE800 passes strict IP68 standards, which means it is dust-proof as well as waterproof. It can withstand accidental submergence in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes. Not that you need it, but should you carry it in a coat and it's raining, that would offer a certain amount of ease of mind.

A cap hides the USB cable connector on one side, an activity light is visible on the other. The unit has been fitted with TLC NAND likely based on Adata 121104747533A03, some Nanya DRAM (128MB buffer) memory and a we assume either an ASMedia or VLI VL714-Q4 USB3.1 to SATA 6Gb/s bridge controller tied towards a Type-C connector . We say likely as we have not been able to open up this unit, we could have but would have risked damaging it. We do think it's pretty much an NVMe SSD underneath that shell. The shell is super strong and sturdy, the unit comes with a three-year limited warranty. Other than warranty we can note power consumption, the unit uses up to 4.5W (5V, 0.9A) which doubt you'll find even remotely relevant. 

For this review, we test the 512GB version. Well, have a peek with the help of a photo first and then head onwards into the review.