Which is faster for transferring large video files?

The Samsung T9. Its write speed is rated at 1950 MB/s against 1800 MB/s for the Lexar SL500, and both read at 2000 MB/s. You only see the full speed on a host with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.

Does the Lexar SL500 really attach magnetically to a phone?

Yes, it ships with a magnetic set so it can stick to a compatible device. That helps for handheld shooting and on-the-go backups. The T9 has no magnet and needs a cable and a flat surface.

Which one is more durable?

The Lexar has a solid aluminum unibody, which feels sturdier in hand. The Samsung T9 uses a rubberized shell that resists knocks and has a long record of owner satisfaction. Neither is rated for water or dust resistance here.

Is the Samsung T9 worth stepping up to over the Lexar?

If write speed and a proven reliability record matter most, yes. If you want a thinner drive, a magnetic mount and built-in encryption, the Lexar is the better fit.

Do both work with a USB-C laptop or phone?

Yes, both connect over USB-C. To hit the rated 2000 MB/s you need a host and cable that support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2; on plain USB 3.2 Gen 2 both run slower.

Can I get more than 1TB?

The Lexar SL500 comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. The Samsung T9 is listed here only in 1TB.

Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C vs Lexar SL500 Portable SSD

Both are 1TB USB-C SSDs rated at 2000 MB/s read, so real-world speed is close. The Samsung T9 writes faster (1950 vs 1800 MB/s) and is the safer pick for heavy video and large file transfers. The Lexar SL500 is slimmer, has an aluminum unibody, adds a magnetic mount and AES-256 encryption software, and comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. Buyers rate the T9 highly for reliability; the SL500 wins on portability and mounting.

Choose the Samsung T9 if you move large files often and want the faster sustained write speed and a long track record of reliability.
Choose the Lexar SL500 if you want a slim aluminum drive that magnetically attaches to a phone or laptop and includes encryption software.

Prices

Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C: $185.99 at eBay (checked today)
Lexar SL500 Portable SSD: $149.99 at eBay (checked today)
Difference: the Lexar SL500 Portable SSD is $36.00 cheaper than the Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C today

	Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C	Lexar SL500 Portable SSD
Sequential write	1950 MB/s	1800 MB/s
Sequential read	2000 MB/s	2000 MB/s
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 2x2	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Build	Rubberized black shell, 4.3 oz	Slim aluminum unibody, 0.5 in thick
Mounting	None	Magnetic set for attaching to devices
Encryption	Not listed	Lexar DataShield 256-bit AES software
Capacity options	1TB	1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Owner ratings	4.8 out of 5 from 254 ratings	Not enough ratings to compare

Spec	Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C	Lexar SL500 Portable SSD
Type	SSD	SSD
Width (")	2.4	3.5
Wi-Fi	No	No
Placement	External	External
Size (GB)	1000	1000
Height (")	0.6	0.5
Depth (")	3.5	2.3
Sequential Write (MB/s)	1950	1800
External Connection	USB-C	USB-C
Sequential Read (MB/s)	2000	2000
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
color	Black	Black

Spec	Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C	Lexar SL500 Portable SSD
Weight (oz)	4.3	—
hard_drive_capacity	—	1 TB
Connection	—	USB
Capacity	—	1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB

Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C vs Lexar SL500 Portable SSD

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Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C vs Lexar SL500 Portable SSD

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Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C

Lexar SL500 Portable SSD

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Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C

Lexar SL500 Portable SSD

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Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB Type-C

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