Phone Full? Backing Up Photos with a Pendrive in 2025 (Top 10 Models)

It’s a frustration every Malaysian smartphone user knows well. You’re about to capture a priceless moment—a family photo at Hari Raya, a stunning sunset view from Penang Hill—and your screen flashes the dreaded “Storage Almost Full” warning. 

In that moment of panic, you have to choose which old memories to delete to make room for new ones. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

While many people default to paying for more cloud storage, the humble pendrive has evolved into a powerful, secure, and incredibly convenient tool for reclaiming your phone’s storage. 

Modern On-The-Go (OTG) pendrives are designed specifically for this task, allowing you to plug a physical drive directly into your phone’s charging port and transfer thousands of photos and videos in minutes.

This guide will walk you through the best pendrives available in Malaysia that work seamlessly with both iPhones and Android devices, helping you create a secure, offline backup of your most cherished memories.

The Top 10 Pendrives for iPhone & Android at a Glance

Unsure which is right for you? This detailed breakdown makes the choice simple.

1. SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe

This is the premium, all-in-one solution for users who have an iPhone and a modern USB-C laptop (like a MacBook). 

The iXpand Luxe is arguably the gold standard for mobile backups. Its all-metal construction feels solid and durable, and the clever swivel design protects the Lightning and USB-C connectors when not in use. 

The real magic is in the iXpand Drive app, which can be set to automatically back up your camera roll every time you plug it in.

• Ideal For: iPhone users who want a seamless, premium experience and need to transfer files to USB-C devices like iPads or modern laptops.
• Key Features: Automatic backup app, password protection, stylish metal build.
• Connectors: Lightning, USB-C
• Price: Expect to pay around RM 150 – RM 200 for the 128GB version.

2. Kingston DataTraveler Max (USB-C)

This drive is built for one thing: pure, unadulterated speed, making it perfect for transferring large 4K video files. 

While it only has a USB-C port (iPhone users would need a new model iPhone or an adapter), the Kingston DT Max offers performance that rivals external SSDs.

With read speeds hitting up to 1,000MB/s, it can move massive files in seconds, not minutes. If you’re a content creator or shoot a lot of high-resolution video on your phone, this is your drive.

• Ideal For: Videographers, content creators, and anyone who values transfer speed above all else.
• Key Features: USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, sliding cap design, keyring loop.
• Connectors: USB-C
• Price: Around RM 180 – RM 250 for the 256GB model, as its speed is best utilized with higher capacities.

3. Samsung DUO Plus (USB-C)

A tough, reliable, and versatile drive from a trusted brand, perfect for Android users. 

The Samsung DUO Plus is a workhorse. It features a native USB-C connector for modern Android phones and laptops, but also comes with a high-quality USB-A adapter, ensuring you can connect it to virtually any computer. 

Samsung is known for its 5-proof technology, making this drive resistant to water, shock, magnets, temperature, and X-rays.

• Ideal For: Android users who need a robust, all-purpose drive for phone-to-PC transfers.
• Key Features: High-speed USB 3.1, USB-A adapter included, 5-proof durability.
• Connectors: USB-C, USB-A (via adapter)
• Price: An affordable RM 80 – RM 120 for 128GB.

4. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go

The best combination of price, performance, and features for most Android and USB-C users. 

This is SanDisk’s jack-of-all-trades drive. Like its more expensive sibling, the Luxe, it features a convenient swivel design to protect its USB-C and USB-A connectors. 

It offers solid USB 3.1 speeds and works with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for easy file management and backups on Android. It comes in a variety of fun colors, too.

• Ideal For: The average user who wants a simple, reliable way to free up phone space without breaking the bank.
• Key Features: Swivel design, SanDisk Memory Zone app integration, great value.
• Connectors: USB-C, USB-A
• Price: A bargain at RM 60 – RM 90 for 128GB.

5. Corsair Flash Voyager GTX

For those who need extreme performance and military-grade toughness, this drive is a legend. The Flash Voyager GTX is less a pendrive and more an SSD in a zinc-alloy shell. 

It’s built for professionals who need blistering speeds and can’t afford drive failure. While it’s a USB-A drive (requiring an OTG adapter for phone use), its raw performance and legendary durability make it a worthy investment for serious users who prioritize data integrity.

• Ideal For: Power users and professionals who need the absolute fastest and toughest USB-A drive.
• Key Features: SSD-level speeds, rugged zinc-alloy casing, excellent heat dissipation.
• Connectors: USB-A (Requires OTG adapter for phone)
• Price: Premium performance comes at a premium price, around RM 250 – RM 300 for 128GB.

6. PNY Pro Elite V2

A sleek, high-speed competitor to the Corsair GTX, aimed at professionals. 

The PNY Pro Elite V2 is another SSD-class pendrive that delivers exceptional read and write speeds in a sophisticated, gunmetal-grey metal housing. 

It’s designed for sustained high-speed transfers without throttling. Like the Corsair, it’s a native USB-A drive, so a small OTG adapter is needed to connect it to your phone, but the performance is worth the extra step for demanding users.

• Ideal For: Creative professionals who move large project files between their computer and other devices.
• Key Features: Pro-grade transfer speeds, durable metal housing, sleek design.
• Connectors: USB-A (Requires OTG adapter for phone)
• Price: Around RM 150 – RM 200 for 256GB.

7. Kingston DataTraveler MicroDuo 3C

An incredibly tiny and convenient drive for Android users who want something they can always have on them. 

This drive is astonishingly small, making it the perfect companion for a keychain. Despite its size, it packs both USB-C and USB-A connectors in a clever rotating cap design. 

It’s not the fastest drive on this list, but its ultra-portability makes it perfect for quick, on-the-go file transfers between your phone and any computer.

• Ideal For: Users who prioritize portability and want a drive that disappears on their keyring.
• Key Features: Ultra-compact metal casing, dual connectors, rotating cap.
• Connectors: USB-C, USB-A
• Price: Very reasonable at RM 50 – RM 80 for 128GB.

8. SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Flip

A reliable and user-friendly option designed specifically for iPhone users who still use USB-A computers. 

The iXpand Flip is the predecessor to the Luxe and remains an excellent choice. It features the same great app for automatic backups and a “flip” cap that protects the Lightning connector on one end and a USB-A connector on the other. 

It’s a fantastic way to offload photos and videos from an iPhone to an older laptop or desktop PC.

• Ideal For: iPhone users with older laptops that primarily have USB-A ports.
• Key Features: Automatic backup app, protective flip cap, keyring hole.
• Connectors: Lightning, USB-A
• Price: A good value at RM 90 – RM 130 for 128GB.

9. Samsung FIT Plus

The ultimate low-profile drive for users who want to add semi-permanent storage to a laptop. 

The FIT Plus is designed to be plugged in and forgotten. It’s so small that it sits nearly flush against the device, making it perfect for use in laptops or even car audio systems where a larger drive might get knocked out. 

While not an OTG drive by design, pairing it with a tiny OTG adapter makes it a discreet and powerful mobile storage solution.

• Ideal For: Users who also want a tiny, unobtrusive drive for their laptop or other devices.
• Key Features: Extremely compact “fit” design, 5-proof durability, reliable performance.
• Connectors: USB-A (Requires OTG adapter for phone)
• Price: Great value at RM 70 – RM 100 for 128GB.

10. PNY DUO LINK iOS

A solid and straightforward backup drive for iPhone and iPad users. 

The PNY DUO LINK is a direct competitor to the SanDisk iXpand series. It allows you to easily plug into your iPhone’s Lightning port, back up your photos using the DUO LINK app, and then transfer them to a computer using the standard USB-A connector. 

It’s a simple, effective tool designed to do one job well: free up your iPhone’s storage.

• Ideal For: Apple users looking for a no-fuss backup solution.
• Key Features: Easy-to-use companion app, lets you watch movies directly from the drive.
• Connectors: Lightning, USB-A
• Price: Competitively priced at RM 120 – RM 160 for 128GB.

The Big Question: Why Not Just Use the Cloud?

Cloud storage services like Google Photos and iCloud are incredibly convenient, but they aren’t the perfect solution for everyone. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide.

Final Verdict: Which Backup Method is Right for You?

• You should choose a Pendrive if: You prioritize privacy, want to avoid monthly fees, and need a fast way to perform large, occasional backups. It is the best solution for archiving old photos to free up gigabytes of space at once.
• You should choose Cloud Storage if: You prioritize “always-on” automatic backups, need to access your photos from multiple devices seamlessly, and don’t mind a recurring subscription fee for the convenience.

For ultimate peace of mind, the expert strategy is to use both. Use the cloud for the convenience of daily, automatic backups of your most recent photos. 

Then, every few months, perform a full, manual backup of your entire photo library to a high-capacity pendrive and store it safely. 

This gives you the best of both worlds: effortless convenience and a secure, private, offline archive.

From Personal Memories to Professional Reputations

The care we take in protecting our personal digital memories—the photos and videos that tell our stories—highlights a critical principle that extends directly into the business world: safeguarding valuable digital assets is non-negotiable.

For a business, these assets aren’t just photos; they are client data, intellectual property, and strategic plans. The loss or mishandling of this data can lead to more than just personal disappointment—it can trigger a full-blown public relations crisis, eroding customer trust and permanently damaging a brand’s reputation. In today’s digital landscape, a robust data security strategy is the foundation of a resilient brand.

As a PR Agency, we understand that a strong reputation is your most valuable asset. While you focus on securing your data, our expertise lies in building and defending your brand’s public image. We specialize in strategic communications, and proactive brand building to ensure that your business not only weathers challenges but thrives.

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