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The issue of expanding storage on modern Apple devices has long gone beyond simply having more space for photos. With the ability to record demanding video formats directly to external storage via USB-C, the requirements for portable SSDs have changed dramatically. If we previously looked at lifestyle-oriented solutions that were perfectly adequate for basic backups, today we are turning our attention to a different class of tools – more professional solutions designed for demanding workflows.
Read also: ORICO iFolder Go 1TB Portable SSD Review: Bright and Stylish
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Design, Materials, and the MagSafe Ecosystem
The ORICO BookDrive P10 Plus external SSD (along with its related P10 Pro version) is an attempt to combine a high-speed storage drive, docking station, and MagSafe accessory in a single metal enclosure. I have previously used other ORICO products, such as the ORICO iFolder Go 1TB drive and the ORICO K5 Mini 512GB drive, so I can compare the BookDrive P10 Plus not only in theory but also based on practical experience. In the following sections, we will take a closer look at what makes this device particularly appealing to professional content creators.
The design philosophy of this model continues the idea of integrating external storage as closely as possible with a smartphone. Instead of dangling from a cable and potentially putting stress on the device’s port, the drive effectively becomes part of the phone’s body. And yes, it is slightly larger than the ORICO K5 Mini.
The built-in magnets securely attach the SSD to the back of an iPhone or Xiaomi 17 Ultra, as well as other devices with MagSafe support. The package also includes two additional magnetic rings for devices without built-in magnets. This allows the drive to be used with smartphones and cases that do not natively support MagSafe. The enclosure is made of aerospace-grade aluminum, giving it a premium feel and good resistance to scratches. The metal body is 11 mm thick. The aluminum alloy also serves as a passive heatsink, helping dissipate heat from the internal components and maintain stable data transfer performance.
This approach allows you to focus entirely on the shooting process. The drive stays firmly attached to the smartphone, making it possible to record video one-handed without any wobbling, looseness, or accidental detachment.
Performance: ProRes-Ready and 10 Gbps
In previous reviews of this brand’s storage devices, such as the stylish ORICO iFolder Go, I encountered the limitations of the SATA architecture, which prevented the drives from handling demanding video files at their full potential. The BookDrive P10 series changes the equation significantly. I mentioned in my ORICO K5 Mini review that I would like to test a drive from the ORICO BookDrive P10 series specifically.
The key technical feature of the new model is its use of a modern high-speed data interface. With transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, this magnetic SSD delivers the performance needed for rapid file transfers and a smooth workflow. This is particularly important for videographers, as this level of bandwidth makes it possible to record 4K ProRes video, including at 120 frames per second, directly to the drive without interruptions.
In practice, however, the situation is somewhat more nuanced. Our tests showed that while there are occasional drops in write speed, they are very brief. The details can be seen in the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test screenshots: the first shows the initial seconds of operation, the second captures the results after half an hour of continuous testing, and the third illustrates the same brief write-speed drops during recording.
The high write speed helps ensure that the iPhone’s camera app does not interrupt recording due to buffer overflow, while preserving all the detail needed for subsequent post-processing.
ORICO BookDrive P10: More Than Just Storage
The multifunctionality of the BookDrive lineup sets it apart from many other storage solutions on the market. ORICO’s engineers have turned a conventional SSD into a full-fledged hub, addressing the lack of available ports that can be a problem during mobile shooting.
The Plus model features only a fast-charging port, but for most users, that should be more than enough. I’m planning to attend IFA 2026, so for my 256GB iPhone 17 Pro, this should be an ideal companion for capturing content on the go.
The Pro model also adds an extra USB-C port for audio monitoring, along with an SD/TF memory card slot.
Key Specifications of the ORICO BookDrive P10:
- Data transfer speed: 10 Gbps (up to 1,000 MB/s)
- Enclosure material: Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy
- Dimensions: Ultra-thin metal enclosure, 11 mm thick
- Mounting: Built-in magnets for the MagSafe ecosystem, plus two magnetic rings included
- Pass-through charging: Dedicated 100W Power Delivery (PD) port
- Additional ports (Pro version): Built-in SD/TF card reader and USB-C audio port
- Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, HarmonyOS
- Storage capacities: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
100W PD Power: Charging While Recording
One of the biggest challenges when recording video to an external drive from a smartphone is how quickly the phone’s battery can drain. I experienced this firsthand at IFA 2025, when I often had to record on an iPhone 16 Pro with a power bank connected. Of course, things were a little easier then because that iPhone had 1TB of storage, whereas my new one does not have as much. When the USB-C port is occupied by an external drive, there is no way to connect a power bank at the same time. The ORICO BookDrive P10 addresses this issue with a dedicated 100W Power Delivery port. This means I can connect a power source directly to the drive, allowing it to pass power through and charge the smartphone quickly and efficiently while recording.
It is important to pay attention to the positioning of the SSD and power bank shown in the manufacturer’s marketing materials. The arrangement should be avoided if it looks like the setup in the image below, as this “sandwich” can obstruct the camera and end up in the frame when shooting both photos and video.
Working with a MacBook: A Full-Fledged Working Drive
For many professionals, a modern MacBook with 512GB of storage is an ongoing compromise. In practice, once you account for the operating system, work applications, and personal files, there is often only around 100GB of free space left. During busy shooting days, that figure can disappear surprisingly quickly – as shown in the screenshot from my MacBook below. This is where the ORICO BookDrive P10 comes into its own as an indispensable tool, effectively serving as a primary working environment.
With data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, you can effectively remove the laptop’s internal drive from the workflow. The setup is highly streamlined: you import large files from a camera through the built-in SD/TF card reader and immediately begin editing or color grading directly from the external SSD (on the Pro version). The drive offers enough performance for comfortable work without having to copy the source footage to the MacBook itself. After the final render, you can also upload completed projects directly from the ORICO BookDrive to online or cloud storage.
The device also helps reduce cable clutter on the desk. Its magnetic mounting system allows the drive to be conveniently attached to the MacBook lid. And if you have a long editing or export process ahead, the 100W PD port lets you connect the charger directly to the SSD, providing power to your MacBook Pro throughout the entire workflow.
This is not quite my ideal scenario, as a truly complete setup for MacBook use would require the ORICO BookDrive P10 Pro rather than the Plus, ideally with 2TB of storage. However, I have already appreciated this approach while working on my review of a VIOFO dash cam and its footage. It was very convenient to copy the recordings directly from the dash cam to this drive and work with the files directly from the SSD on the MacBook, rather than removing the SD card from the dash cam, transferring a large amount of data from one 4K channel and two 2K channels to the laptop, and consuming a significant portion of the laptop’s internal storage in the process.
If your laptop has a single port for both charging and data transfer, like the well-known 12-inch MacBook once did, this is an ideal solution. It allows you to work with an external storage drive while simultaneously keeping the laptop connected to power.
The iPad is an especially good example here, as Apple’s tablets have a single port that handles everything.
Recently, I prepared a review titled VIOFO A329S 3CH Review: 5 Reasons to Install the Flagship Dash Cam in Your Car. This SSD proved to be an ideal solution for copying photos and video directly from the device to external storage. Of course, some patience is required: copying 64GB of data from an SD memory card is not exactly a fast process, but it is not particularly slow either. The transfer takes up to 10 minutes via a MacBook and slightly more than 12–13 minutes directly from the dash cam.
The dash cam can also record data directly to the SSD, but that is a separate topic that I covered in the corresponding article. I should also note that the ORICO BookDrive P10 Plus became noticeably warm during intensive use. However, this is precisely what the relatively large aluminum enclosure is designed for, as it acts as a heatsink to dissipate the generated heat.
Conclusion
The ORICO BookDrive P10 is more than just a stylish accessory. Unlike the compact K5 Mini, which was ideal for everyday backups, and the design-focused iFolder Go, created primarily for office use, the BookDrive series is a more advanced professional tool.
The combination of high-speed NVMe storage (10 Gbps), 100W pass-through charging, and additional ports makes it a highly versatile solution for owners of the iPhone 15/16/17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as modern MacBooks and a wide range of other devices. This is a case where the manufacturer has clearly responded to feedback from the professional community and created a device that addresses virtually all the needs of a mobile video-production workflow in a single compact aluminum enclosure.
Where to buy ORICO BookDrive P10 Plus
Amazon currently offers a 7% discount.
