iRe5 Gen2

Most current phones have dropped the SD card slot, leaving creators who shoot 4K, ProRes or large RAW files juggling internal storage and cloud subscriptions. iRe5 Gen2, presented as a Kickstarter project, tackles that with a built-in MicroSD slot that, according to the maker, adds up to 2TB of physical storage. Files stay local, with no monthly fees and no need to hand data to a cloud service.

Backup, charging and transfer

A companion app, SyncPal, handles backup. The maker says a single tap backs up an entire photo and video library, organising 4K footage by date or project and syncing between the MicroSD card, phone and computer without an internet connection. Progress tracking, photo/video type selection and a trash function are included.

The headline addition for Gen2 is PD pass-through charging. Earlier, connecting external devices meant charging stopped; now the phone can fast-charge at up to 65W while shooting, backing up or running peripherals. Wireless charging is also supported, according to the maker. For transfers, the device uses what the maker calls USB 3.0 Gen2, quoting read speeds of up to 380MB/s. Connected by USB-C to a PC, Mac or iPad, the X Module or Storage Case appears as an external drive with no drivers required.

A hub for phone filmmaking

The campaign positions iRe5 Gen2 as a way to turn a phone into a more serious video tool. It supports direct ProRes recording to the MicroSD card, and external SD card readers or SSDs can be connected to record 4K at up to 380MB/s. A cage-compatible design is meant to avoid clashing with grips and lens mounts, while multi-device connection lets a 3.5mm microphone, SSD and USB-C peripherals run simultaneously alongside a data link to a PC or iPad.

• X Module: aerospace-grade aluminium alloy, 5.66mm thick, 20.3g, designed for heat dissipation and camera rigs
• Storage Case: high-quality silicone, slim and pocketable, designed to fit specific phone models
• Interfaces: USB-C and Lightning versions, covering recent USB-C iPhones, older Lightning models and high-end Android phones

Taken together, iRe5 Gen2 combines expandable storage, offline backup, pass-through power and accessory connectivity in one system, with a form factor for both daily use and production rigs.