SmallRig Enters the Storage Market With a Phone-Mounted SSD

by Alexandra ThompsonJune 9^th, 2026

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SmallRig is stepping into the storage media market. At Cine Gear 2026, Johnnie spoke with Manny Moreno from SmallRig about a portable SSD that mounts on the back of a phone and is designed to manage data on location.

The idea is to bring some offload and media management functions into a phone-based setup, rather than relying solely on a larger DIT-style workflow. This is not the only SmallRig product we looked at during the show, but the SSD moves into a different category for the brand: media storage and on-location data management. Recent SmallRig coverage has also included the company’s new camera backpack, SR009 “HawkLock” VCT-14 Type shoulder rig, and RF 20C LED spotlight.

A SmallRig and KOCARD collaboration

The SSD is a collaboration between SmallRig and KOCARD. According to Manny, SmallRig handles manufacturing and sales, while KOCARD provides the media and the software that runs it.

That software is central to what makes the device interesting. This is not only a phone-mounted drive for storing files. It is also designed to offload media, create proxies, verify transfers, and send files to cloud or NAS destinations from a mobile device.

Card slots and instant connection

On top of the unit are an integrated SD card slot and a microSD card slot. A small but practical touch is the connection feedback: instead of searching through menus to confirm that the drive is mounted, a blue light indicates when the SSD is connected and ready to read or transfer media.

In the demo, Manny inserted an SD card, chose a source in the KOCARD app, selected a file, and then chose a destination on the SmallRig SSD. The app can copy the full original file or create a proxy, with the option to verify the file once the transfer is complete.

Offloading, proxies, and cloud destinations

The ability to create proxies on the fly may be one of the more useful parts of the workflow, especially when cloud uploads are slow or when a lighter file is needed quickly. The app can also send files to services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, or to a connected NAS if one is already set up with the mobile device.

Asked about Frame.io support, Manny said SmallRig and KOCARD are still looking at additional destinations and are gathering feedback at Cine Gear. That seems to be part of the broader approach with this product: the first version is available now, but the company is still asking users what should come next.

Manny said the app can handle a wide range of file types, though his own recent testing has focused mostly on HEVC-style files. He also mentioned using material from Nikon and Canon cameras, along with R3D files, but this is an area where real-world compatibility will matter once more users start testing the workflow.

Power, playback, and compatibility

Power is an important point because the SSD connects to a phone over USB-C. SmallRig has added a USB-C port on the side of this first model, but Manny was clear that it is labeled as PD power-in only. It should not be mistaken for a second data port. Two-way data over that port is something the company is working on for a future iteration.

The drive otherwise behaves like a normal SSD. Users can review dailies or play back footage on the phone, and apps such as the Blackmagic Camera app or the native iPhone camera app can create dedicated folders when recording directly to the SSD. Manny also said the device is compatible with both Apple iOS and Android.

What is still being considered

SmallRig currently offers 1TB and 2TB versions. Manny said the company is gathering feedback on whether there is demand for a 4TB option.

SmallRig is also asking whether users would prefer future support for CFexpress Type A or Type B, either through a dedicated option or by continuing to use a separate card reader. For now, the model includes SD and microSD slots, while the side USB-C port supports PD power-in only.

Price and availability

Both capacities are available now through the SmallRig website and our site partner B&H. The 1TB model is priced at around $270 in the US, while the 2TB model is priced at just under $495.

Asked whether those prices can hold as memory and SSD prices continue to rise, Manny said time will tell. SmallRig is watching the wider market and hopes pricing can trend in a better direction for users if conditions allow.

Would a phone-mounted SSD with these features change how you handle media on location? Would you like future versions to add support for CFexpress Type A or Type B? Let us know in the comments below.