How do you back up the photos and videos you have stored on your smartphone? Connect to your computer? Or cloud storage? Is it a USB memory? There are various means, but PQI's "iCube" introduced this time is a USB adapter that can back up to a microSD card, USB memory, or external storage without a computer. It can be used on both iPhone and Android smartphones.
Moreover, since it can be executed while charging the smartphone, if you put this product between the smartphone charging adapter and the cable, it will automatically back up while you sleep. Isn't it super convenient to back up even if you leave it alone without going through a computer?
Actually, my iPhone 11 Pro has a storage capacity of 64GB, and I am keenly aware that it has failed tremendously. I bought it thinking that "64GB is enough because I don't put in a lot of apps and I don't take such pictures and videos." However, I completely forgot that I had purchased 256GB for the iPhone XS before that, and misunderstood that a small capacity is okay because the storage is not tight. Actually I used about 100GB.
Therefore, the data of photos and videos cannot be moved even when migrating. I also had a hard time extracting photos and videos from the iPhone XS. At that time, I thought I would use this one this time.
Although the introduction has become longer, this iCube has a size of 47 x 35 x 24 mm, which is one size larger than the iPhone's 5W type charging adapter. There is one USB Type-A male and two females, and the male can supply power such as a charging adapter. Then plug the cable that connects to your smartphone to one of the females, and plug the storage etc. into the other.
In addition, there is a microSD card slot, and the data to be backed up can be sent to the microSD card or the storage plugged into the USB terminal.
It's easy to use ... but there is no manual at all. The box has a simple usage written in English, but it is difficult to understand. For this reason, it may be a little confusing at first.
First, download the app on your smartphone. There is an app called "PQI iCube", so you can find it by searching the App Store or Google Play. The screens introduced this time are all iOS versions.
When you start the app after installation, the screen "Device not found" will appear. As mentioned above, bite this product between the cable connecting the power adapter and the smartphone, and insert the media to be backed up.
In addition, I am using iPhone 11 Pro this time, but as you know, the power adapter is included with the 18W type USB Type-C terminal. Therefore, in order not to let this product directly, this time we are using the conventional 5W type. You can use any USB Type-A terminal charging adapter that is lying around at home, so let's take advantage of that.
When you connect, it will recognize that the app is connected, approve various access at first, and then automatically perform backup.
You can also make various settings such as turning on / off automatic backup, specifying backup media, and deleting local data after backup. Normally, you do not need to set it.
The first backup will take some time, depending on how much photos and videos you have stored. It took about 16 to 20 minutes to back up about 2112 photos and 42 videos (about 18GB) to a microSD or external SSD. Well, there should be no problem if this area is completed while sleeping.
Also, since the backup history is managed, only the differences will be copied from now on, so it will take a much shorter time.
Once you have backed up, all you have to do is connect your smartphone to the product and it will run in the background. I also found it super convenient because there was no need to connect and launch the app.
The maximum size of storage that can be connected is 2TB. What's more, even if you connect multiple smartphones, they will be backed up in folders, so your photos and videos will not be mixed.
You can also use it as a microSD card reader by connecting it to the USB terminal of your computer. However, please note that the side where the storage is inserted is not recognized by the computer.
My iPhone 11 Pro is already tight, and apps that aren't used often are automatically removed. With the ease of backing up your photos and videos, you'll have to regularly quickly delete your photos to keep up your space.
Recently, many people say that photos and videos are kept on their smartphones. However, if it should be corrupted, the data may not be restored. Also, cloud storage services are not perfect, and if you use subscriptions to secure capacity, even if you purchase this product and backup media, you will be able to recover in a year. I used a microSD card or an external SSD this time, but there is no problem with an external HDD.
The actual selling price of iCube is around 5500 yen including tax. It does not cost 10,000 yen including media (depending on the capacity). There is a similar product when you look at Amazon, but it is also a big point that iPhone users can use it with confidence because it has acquired Made For iPhone / iPad certification.
This product, which backs up firmly while charging, is a worry-free item if you have it.
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