SanDisk today announced that its iXpand Flash Drive is now available in a larger 256GB storage capacity for $279.99, expanding upon existing 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities available for between $49.99 and $129.99.

sandisk ixpand connect wireless
The iXpand Flash Drive connects to the Lightning port on an iPhone or iPad to provide the device with up to 256GB of additional storage space through the SanDisk iXpand Drive app. It has a USB-A port with USB 3.0 speeds for quickly transferring files to and from another iOS device, Mac, or PC.

MacRumors reviewed the second-generation iXpand Flash Drive last year and noted that it was a worthwhile purchase for those who need expanded storage, although the new 256GB size is on the expensive side.

SanDisk also introduced its Connect Wireless Stick in a larger 256GB storage capacity for $279.99. The wireless flash drive enables wireless storage and transfer of files from one iPhone or iPad to another iOS device, Mac, or PC over a password-protected Wi-Fi network. It has a USB 2.0 port.

Both external storage solutions are available now at Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo Video, and select other retailers in the United States and elsewhere.

Top Rated Comments

IvanX Avatar
117 months ago
256GB and USB 2.0 should never co-exist in the same product, unless it has USB 3.0 and 2.0 for backward compatibility. Who thought that adding wireless at the expense of USB speed was a good idea to do?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
117 months ago
Just in time for apple to remove lightning as it's port.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimthing Avatar
117 months ago
If the purpose is storing music and videos that you can watch, then USB 2.0 is plenty fast enough. Very few movies take even 2 MB/s. And if I fill a 256 GB drive with movies from my Mac, I'm not going to wait for it to finish even with USB 3.0. I'll start the copy and do other things. Eventually it's done.
Yes, but with UHD 4K becoming a thing even on smaller devices, that's likely to change in the near-ish future.

I don't think the bottleneck is the flash memory. I've seen USB 2.0 push at most 50MiB/s (bytes, not bits). For whatever reason, it's always slower than that on flash drives. I've seen USB 3.0 flash drives push 80MiB/s, and they have much faster read/writes when plugged into USB 3.0 slots instead of 2.0.
[doublepost=1488277760][/doublepost]
Watch them replace it, but not with USB-C.
Yeah, didn't we here recently something about an "Ultra Accessory Connector" (UAC)...??
https://arstechnica.co.uk/apple/2017/02/apple-uac-port

"smaller than Lightning or USB-C, that could be used to charge devices or transfer data."
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Val-kyrie Avatar
117 months ago
Why is this not USB-C instead?

A lot of good type-A connectors are on current Macs....
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Avieshek Avatar
117 months ago
USB 2.0 ...Shows where the vision of this company is.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
weckart Avatar
117 months ago
256GB and USB 2.0 should never co-exist in the same product, unless it has USB 3.0 and 2.0 for backward compatibility. Who thought that adding wireless at the expense of USB speed was a good idea to do?

I have three of the Connect sticks up to 64GB capacity. They max out at 10MB/s write speed via USB. Yup, you read right. Adding USB 3.0 would be the proverbial 'putting lipstick on a pig' since the NAND chips used are so low budget and slow. The wireless bit works well, if slowly, otherwise. Fine for uploading small images but not much fun for large sized files. I honestly do not see the value in high storage capacities until Sandisk beefs up the wireless and I/O speeds considerably.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...