Samsung T7 vs WD My Passport SSD — Which Should You Buy in 2026?

Portable SSDs have become essential for anyone who moves data between devices, backs up photos from cameras, or edits video on the go. The Samsung T7 and WD My Passport SSD are the two most recommended options at this price point. Here's the full breakdown.

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Overview

The Samsung T7 has been the benchmark portable SSD since 2020 — fast, compact, and available in a fingerprint-unlock variant. The WD My Passport SSD is Western Digital's answer — slightly cheaper, with hardware encryption and a rugged design option.

Both offer USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds and are bus-powered (no external power needed).

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Quick Comparison

| Feature | Samsung T7 | WD My Passport SSD | |---|---|---| | Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | | Sequential Read | Up to 1,050 MB/s | Up to 1,050 MB/s | | Sequential Write | Up to 1,000 MB/s | Up to 1,000 MB/s | | Encryption | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | | Fingerprint Lock | Yes (T7 Touch) | No | | Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | | Weight | 58g | 45g | | Price 1TB (India) | ₹8,499 | ₹7,499 |

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Speed & Performance

Both drives use NVMe internally with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 bridge — rated at 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write. In real-world benchmarks, both consistently hit 900–1,000 MB/s sequential read on a compatible USB 3.2 port.

The difference: sustained write performance on large files (>50GB). The T7 maintains speeds slightly better over long transfers. The WD My Passport SSD shows more aggressive throttling on very large sequential writes, which matters if you're transferring large video files frequently.

For everyday use — photos, documents, backups — both feel identical.

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Build & Durability

Samsung T7 (standard): slim metal unibody, 2m drop resistance, no IP rating Samsung T7 Shield: rubber bumper, IP65 dust/water resistance, slightly larger WD My Passport SSD: slightly lighter, recessed USB-C port for cable protection, no official IP rating

For rugged use, the T7 Shield is the clear winner. For everyday desk-to-bag portability, both are equally fine.

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Encryption & Security

Both support AES 256-bit hardware encryption. Samsung adds optional fingerprint authentication on the T7 Touch variant — unlocking without a password is convenient for daily use.

WD includes its proprietary WD Discovery software for password protection and backup scheduling. It works but feels older compared to Samsung's app ecosystem.

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Pros & Cons

Samsung T7

Pros: Fingerprint unlock on Touch variant, slightly better sustained write speeds, premium metal build, excellent software, stronger brand confidence for SSDs Cons: Slightly more expensive, no IP rating on standard model, fewer colour options

WD My Passport SSD

Pros: Lower price, lighter weight, long WD reliability reputation, works well for backup-focused use Cons: More write throttling on sustained large transfers, no fingerprint unlock, software feels dated

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Pricing in India (2026)

• Samsung T7 1TB: ₹8,499
• Samsung T7 Touch 1TB: ₹10,499
• Samsung T7 Shield 1TB: ₹9,999
• WD My Passport SSD 1TB: ₹7,499
• WD My Passport SSD 2TB: ₹13,499

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Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Samsung T7 if:

• You regularly move large video or RAW photo files
• You want fingerprint unlock convenience (T7 Touch)
• Brand reliability and resale value matter
• You want the safest long-term choice

Buy the WD My Passport SSD if:

• You're budget-conscious and mainly do backups and documents
• Lighter weight matters (45g vs 58g)
• You already use WD software in your workflow

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Final Verdict

For most buyers: Samsung T7. Samsung's SSD manufacturing heritage, better sustained performance, and the fingerprint unlock option make it worth the ₹1,000 premium over the WD.

If you're purely doing backups and documents and want to save money, the WD My Passport SSD is a solid choice — it won't let you down. But given how close the prices are, the Samsung T7 is the safer long-term buy.