Top 10 Best USB OTGs in the Philippines 2020 (SanDisk, Kingston, and More)

An on-the-go flash drive or commonly referred to as USB OTG is an electronic device that provides more storage space for your handy tablets and smartphones, given that they support the USB OTG or On-The-Go functionality. These can be plugged into micro USB and Type-C ports that are often present on your smartphones as a charging port. 

USB OTGs are useful for storing any kinds of files while traveling or simply if your phone runs out of storage. Most USB OTGs also offer plug-and-play functionality, which means it won’t require any further configuration, and you can use it as soon as you plug it into your mobile device.

There are various things that need to be considered when purchasing a USB OTG such as speed, storage capacity, and adaptability. Continue reading this buying guide to find out more about it!

Needless to say, it is important to identify which type of USB OTG you will purchase by checking which one your phone can support. You wouldn’t like to buy one that won’t fit your phone’s charging port!

Micro USB is almost considered the universal USB type because it’s compatible with most smartphones, external power banks, portable speakers, digital cameras, and Bluetooth earphones. 

You can easily identify it by its 5-pin design and a receptacle that is black in color. The majority of OTG flash drives come in the micro USB type; hence, more options to choose from if your mobile device supports this type.

The newest laptops, smartphones, and tablets support this type of USB. The USB-C or Type C features a symmetrical and reversible appearance that allows users to plug it in both directions. 

You wouldn’t have to worry about your device's orientation anymore, and you can skip that constant flipping of your USB about 5 times just to make sure that you're plugging the correct side. 

This type is not designed to be compatible with other devices aside from Apple ones. So if you’re an Apple device user and you’re running out of storage on your iPhone, there are also wide variations of lightning-based USB OTGs that can provide extra storage for your iPhone and other Apple gadgets.

There are two types of USB standard that are commonly available on the market, the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The two can be distinguished from one another in terms of speed. The type of files that you are planning to transfer should also determine which of the two types you should get.

USB 2.0 can offer the transfer rate of 60 megabits of data per second, meanwhile, the USB 3.0 has the ability to transfer 640 megabits of data per second, making it relatively faster than the former. If you’re aiming to transfer small documents between your phone to your computer, then a USB 3.0 won’t have much difference from a USB 2.0. 

The speed of your USB OTG would also depend on the device that you are using, as well as the bus type and USB ports that you will attach it to. However, keep in mind that opting for a USB OTG that has a better transfer speed means a more costly choice.

Another important thing to consider when you’re purchasing a USB OTG is its storage capacity. The storage capacity will determine the number of files that you can store in it. Your storage needs would depend on the type of files that you intend to save or transfer from and to the OTG flash drive.

An 8GB flash drive can hold approximately 3809 image files, 1904 audio files, 2 gigabytes of document files, and at least 15.24 feature-length video files. If you’re planning to opt for other GB available, you might want to check the amount of data they can store here.

If you are a student, a USB OTG with at least 4GB would be good enough to back up all of your documents, and you would still have a bit of space for some music and small video files. This would also work well for people who are just planning to make their USB OTG some sort of document keeper.

However, if you’re looking for something that can store a massive amount of files and videos, you might want to go for a sizable USB OTG. One with 64GB would be able to store a few feature-length films and thousand document files.

USB OTGs come in different shapes and sizes; there are tiny ones that you can easily put in your pocket while there are also ones that can be as big as a pen. Some of these come with chains, allowing you to hang it with your keys, while others come with a removable cap. 

There are also USB OTGs that are swivel-type, with no cap and chains; you just have to turn it to use it. If you’re particular with designs, there are several USB OTGs that come with sleek colors and metallic finish. Some kinds are made of plastic materials, wood, or crystal.

With the wide array of USB OTGs available online, there would surely be one to fit on to your preference. It would be most ideal to select a USB OTG that is small enough for you to carry around but not too small to the point that you can easily misplace it.

With the buying guide on our belt, we have rounded up our quality picks for the best USB OTGs available on you favorite online shopping sites!

You may have found a USB OTG that fits perfectly with your smartphone’s port but wait a minute - not to rain on your parade, but you might want to make sure that your smartphone actually supports the USB On-The-Go function.

Not all smartphones are compatible with USB OTG, so before you check out that USB OTG that has been on your virtual cart for days now, we’ll tell you how to check whether that would work with your phone or tablet.

First, you have to install an app called USB OTG Tester to determine whether your Android device supports USB OTG functionality. After installing the app, launch it, and then tap the "Perform OTG Test" button. This process will check if your device is compatible. If it is, a pop-up notification that says “Your Mobile Supports OTG” will appear.

Users who have mobile devices that don't support OTG function usually resort to rooting their device. However, even such a risky task to perform cannot guarantee that it can enable the phone's OTG function. 

Now that you’re about to get your hands on your new USB OTG that you will use for your smartphone, enhance the on-the-go experience by getting products that will help increase your convenience level. Read our other articles below to get the best ones!

There you have it! We hope that our comprehensive buying guide and list of recommendations have helped you decide on the best USB OTG to purchase. These tiny electronic devices can really come in handy at times like this, where everything is taking place online.

When there is an urgent need for a file that is stored on your computer, you wouldn't need to worry about not having it with you because you can store it on your USB OTG and run it on your phone. 

Author: Rica Anne Victoriano

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