ORICO has a long list of SSD enclosures and hubs in its catalog, most of which are priced quite reasonably and also frequently available at discounted prices. The 8-in-1 model featured here is one of the brand’s most useful – and also one of the more popular – MagSafe accessories, which is an M.2 SSD enclosure with seven additional ports for your iPhone. I’ve been using it as my main hub to simplify my workflow across both my iPhone and Mac, and you can read about my experience below to see whether it’s worth picking up.
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Hands-on with ORICO’s 8-in-1 USB-C hub/SSD enclosure
ORICO’s official Amazon storefront is offering this 8-in-1 USB-C hub in three different finishes, each with a $60 price tag. You can, however, use the promo code M8WJR4L6 to snag one for $26.39 shipped, which is the lowest price we have tracked for it to date.
Features at a glance
- Combines a 2230 NVMe SSD enclosure with eight ports, including 4K HDMI, 10Gb/s USB, SD/microSD slots, 3.5mm audio, and 100W charging.
- Strong built-in magnets keep the hub securely attached, while the included magnetic ring adds support for cases and Android devices.
- Records 4K ProRes footage directly from compatible iPhones to a 2230 SSD or SD/microSD card, with a 3.5mm jack for external microphones.
- Delivers up to 10Gb/s transfer speeds and supports 4K at 60Hz output for monitors, TVs, presentations, and gaming.
- The 100W USB-C passthrough port keeps your phone or laptop powered during long recording sessions and large file transfers.
- Its aluminum housing helps dissipate heat and maintain steady performance during extended read and write workloads.
9to5Toys’ Take
This ORICO 8-in-1 USB-C hub sports an aluminum alloy shell that feels quite premium in hand and holds up well to everyday use. It’s available in three iPhone-inspired colors, including orange, silver, and blue, and has a compact design that offers a simple plug-and-play experience. It’s also a magnetic USB-C dock, with a strong magnetic ring that attaches securely to your iPhone. ORICO even includes an additional magnetic ring for use with Android devices and non-MagSafe cases.
As far as connectivity is concerned, you get an HDMI port with support for 4K at 60Hz, alongside SD and microSD card slots, USB-A and USB-C ports with speeds of up to 10Gb/s, a 3.5mm audio jack, and up to 100W USB-C power delivery. The hub also doubles as an SSD enclosure and supports M.2 2230 drives with capacities of up to 2TB. You can access the SSD slot by undoing a single screw, and ORICO includes the required screwdriver along with a couple of thermal pads for heat dissipation in the box.
I mainly used this hub to expand the port selection on both my iPhone and Mac, and it worked well without any issues. The 4K HDMI output worked reliably when mirroring my MacBook’s display to an external monitor, and the headphone jack, USB-C, and USB-A ports also worked as expected for audio and data transfers. The 100W PD port is particularly useful, as it lets you charge your phone while using the hub without interrupting your usual workflow.
You can add an SSD with up to 2TB of storage to the enclosure, although there are also SD and microSD card readers if you prefer using memory cards or don’t want to spend too much on an SSD while prices remain high. Transfer speeds top out at 170MB/s through the SD/TF 3.0 interface, which should be enough for file transfers and backups. However, you’ll probably want to stick with a 2230 SSD if you plan to record 4K ProRes video directly to the drive, which this hub supports much like the brand’s K20 Mini we checked out earlier.
Tested: ORICO’s K20 Mini – A reliable portable magnetic SSD to shoot and save 4K Apple Pro Res from your iPhone [Deal]
All things considered, this hub is a great option to consider if you’re looking for a new USB-C hub for your iPhone, Mac, or both. I’ve been using it as my only hub for the past few weeks to transfer files, connect an external monitor, and handle other everyday tasks, and I haven’t run into any issues. The fact that it also doubles as an SSD enclosure makes it even more versatile, especially if you want to expand your iPhone or Mac’s storage with an external 2230 SSD once prices become more reasonable. Not to mention, it’s one of the more affordable USB-C hubs available right now and is frequently discounted as well.
Buy ORICO 8-in-1 USB-C Hub/SSD enclosure
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