ShiftCam calls the Planck “the world’s smallest portable SSD,” and it’s certainly very tiny. Plus, its USB-C connector is designed so the drive fits neatly on the bottom of an iPhone Pro where it’s ready to store up to 2 TB of high-resolution ProRes video as it’s being recorded.
The very, very compact drive can be pre-ordered now at up to 35% off the regular price.
ShiftCam Planck: an SSD specifically for iPhone
Any of the iPhone 15/16 Pro models can record high-resolution ProRes video, but only if the data is going directly to an external drive. Attaching a traditional SSD to the handset for this job can be cumbersome, hence the innovative design of the ShiftCam Planck, with the USB-C connector in the middle of one side, not the typical short edge.
ShiftCam says the device is “designed to disappear in the palm of the hand while shooting or fit snugly in a pocket for mobility.” It measures a mere 2 inches by 0.7 inches by 0.3 inches (50mm x 17mm x 7.8mm).
To enable recording 4K video at 120 FPS, the SSD supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 so data transfers at up to 1050 MB/s. It can hold up to 70 minutes of ProRes 4K60 or 45 minutes of ProRes 4K120.
While it’s designed to snuggle up to an iPhone 15/16 Pro or Pro Max, ShiftCam Planck can be used with virtually any computer with a USB-C port, including Macs and most iPad models.
ShiftCam promises the product is rugged: “Crafted from premium aluminum and durable shockproof plastic, Planck is water resistant, dust-proof, and can withstand drops up to 3 meters (10 ft) to keep your files safe.”
Photo: ShiftCam
Now on Kickstarter
ShiftCam turned to the crowd-funding service Kickstarter to launch this product. During this early phase, a 1TB Planck costs $125, while it’ll be $189 after it reaches store shelves. And the 2TB version is $199, way down from the regular $299.
Buy it from: Kickstarter
The campaign just went live on Wednesday and almost immediately reached its goal. That means the product will be produced. pre-orders are scheduled to ship in May.
SanDisk came up with a similar idea. Its Creator Phone SSD magnetically clings to the back of an iPhone when recording ProRes video, and is scheduled to launch in the spring.
