Better yet, the Android version is $15 for a 64GB USB 3.0 OTG.

Price for a 64GB USB 2.0 iXpand for iOS? $70.

It's probably the Android team forcing this policy. They've been trying to eliminate SD cards for a while.

The good thing is that you can always use a microUSB drive like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RBGYGPG/

Or a microSD adapter such as: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KOJCKVY/

Plus if you want a drive that you can easily leave in your phone, they make micro USB flash drives and microsd adapters that are much smaller than the one shown.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00R0ZAMTM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1463968671&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=meenova&dpPl=1&dpID=41dF3fqC1OL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RBGYGPG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1463968721&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=micro+usb+drive&dpPl=1&dpID=31E1IYklsaL&ref=plSrch

I got a usb 3.0 OTG 64gb drive that I keep swappable content on (videos and OTOY and highres images etc.

Note5 works awesome with it., soon as its pluged in, file exploer opens, you transfer what you want over, pull out when done, flip in GearVR and sail away.

No it cant be plugged in and kept there. But you can load data to it quickly with out needing a desktop etc

edit: $20 works like a charm

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-connector-Android-Devices-SDDD2-064G-G46/dp/B00RBGYGPG

I personally prefer the idea of something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-connector-Android-Devices-SDDD2-064G-G46/dp/B00RBGYGPG

You could your Linux Live-USB idea, but also keep the files accessible via USB so you can access them on a smartphone. A smartphone would be a much better device to have prepared for a SHTF situation. It's smaller, lighter, more power efficient, and can even be powered via solar energy. Pair it with a 20,000mAh power bank, and you might just get a month of power with the smartphone's radios turned off and brightness turned down.

Another good option would be a Kindle. A full charge can give a month of two of usage, and you can store lots of documents/manuals/books on their too.

/u/Darrkman's (sorry ahead of time lol) recommendation is spot on. The Spigen case he recommends is definitely very nice looking and provides good protection. While it was not asked of you, I still will have to recommend
This gadget as well. 64GB model obviously. Super cheap, but feels like I paid a lot more.It snaps in place into your USB port securely so you don't have to worry about disconnects, and it is extremely portable.

I'll skip the often said and repeated great features you probably know of (e.g.camera). Multi-Window is an awesome feature. I love the chat-heads functionality that FB Messenger has, so being able to replicate it with other apps is a plus. The IR Blaster is an awesome feature. If you pair it with this app you'll find that you'll be hunting around your living/dining room a lot less for that one remote. Screen recording on the device is smooth as butter at 60FPS, 4K/1080p quality.

You'll hear a lot of complaints regarding software performance and it is a serious issue right now. That ultimately depends on the type of user you are though, and how you will use the S6. If you like to root and you opt in for the S6, hope you have an older firmware. If you do, cancel any OTA's, and look up the procedure. There is very little development for this phone. In some areas there is literally none. If you will not root, update ASAP, the performance will be greatly improved. When Android M is released for the S6 the supposed RAM and software issues will supposedly be fixed. I don't have the source for that statement though, so take it with a grain of salt. I could go on longer, but I don't want to write a college assignment sized amount of content here and I'm lazy as hell.

tl;dr: Get it if you love Samsung devices, and do not mind a possible caveat in RAM management. Do not get it if you like being able to fully customize your phone.


(edit: redundant line derp.)

I use this dual USB is very easy and safe.

Perhaps. Perhaps it'll also mean that in-built storage will become a lot larger.

You can always buy something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RBGYGPG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2SQQZ55WI7MUY

I'm buying one in preparation for getting an S6 in a few weeks when its out.

I carry one of these with my gear vr case i just do a little shuffle with what i want with what i have.

If your looking for external storage you could get one of these.

64gb USB3.0/Micro USB flash drive.

I haven't found much use for it except for extra media for my phone.

I recently upgraded from a GS4 to the Note 5. I went with the 32GB version. While I never had a huge issue with touchwiz, I decided to try out something new with the new phone and went with the nova launcher and it is awesome. The phone is much snappier and the fingerprint scanner is great. While I can't really compare it directly with the S6 or S7, this phone is great. The S-Pen is great so far, it's better than writing on paper it works so well. As far as storage goes, I think the 32GB is plenty. I currently have all the apps I use, plus all of my text messages from my old phone and still have 18GB free. I also keep a flash drive on my keys for larger games/emulators/movies and haven't had any issues yet. If you need more specifics, a standard picture is about 3.5MB for me, and a selfie is about 1.5MB.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RBGYGPG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

Gaming performance is great compared to the S4, the main game I play is called Crashlands, I used to have slowdowns when there was a lot on the screen at once, not anymore though. I can't really speak to the audio quality as it's not important to me.

Samsung Pay was easy to setup for me, but haven't really used it yet, although it is included in all of the phones you are considering.

OTG dongles are your friend if you want expandable storage (especially when taking RAW photos and 4K video, etc.). Look on Amazon for OTG MicroSD or OTG storage. They utilize the charging port for storage so it's only good when you want to move files and not a permanent solution like an actual MicroSD slot.

A good one: http://www.amazon.com/Dash-Micro-MicroSD-Android-USB-MicroUSB/dp/B00R0ZAMTM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451295911&sr=8-1&keywords=otg+microsd

or

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-connector-Android-Devices--SDDD2-064G-G46/dp/B00RBGYGPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451296005&sr=8-1&keywords=otg+sandisk

It's funny, my droid buddies constantly razzed me about having an iPhone with no removable battery or external memory card slot, then I picked up a Note 5 for my Gear VR & discovered that it has neither :p I had to spring for the 64-gig model to make sure that I had enough storage to not get bit when downloading a bunch of apps & content.

Does anyone know if the Gear VR's bottom Micro-USB charging port allows for data pass-through? They make flash drives with Micro-USB plugs on them for pretty cheap these days. 64 gigs is like $20 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-connector-Android-Devices--SDDD2-064G-G46/dp/B00RBGYGPG/

I have this flash drive and it isn't compatible with my Wii (games are being recognized, but Wii crashes when I try to start a game), so I'm using my old 2.5" external hard drive which still works fine.

Some drives just seem to be incompatible unfortunately.

Yes if you get a usb adapter you can plug in other usb devices.

also I have a flash drive with micro usb flash drive that I use as well.

sorry the above comment was for the surface 3 none pro

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-connector-Android-Devices-SDDD2-064G-G46/dp/B00RBGYGPG

Just bought one of these, smaller than my thumb, does the job.

buy few flash drives with OTG support, or another few SD cards, put all your photos in it, seed, use keepass, sync the passwords and seed from this to some cloud service, buy a few fire and water proof boxes, bury one drive in your backyard with everything in it, and another in a trusted friends house, this way you should be covered buy theft, fire & flooding, every 2 years buy new drives updated with new passwords file with new passphrases and stuff. generate a passphrase for keepass database using something like this and use keepass with your everyday account so you remember the pass, give the passphrase and recovery instructions to your lawyer for when you die.

I have one of these:

http://smile.amazon.com/SanDisk-connector-Android-Devices--SDDD2-064G-G46/dp/B00RBGYGPG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1456838965&sr=8-2&keywords=micro+usb+drive

I modified my setup a bit, to accodomodate feedback from other people and to see what works best for me

Somebody suggest to use this knife:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016KHW2W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's my new setup:

RIGHT FRONT POCKET

Any dynomighty wallet, just pick a design

https://www.dynomighty.com/categories/

Car keys (whatever your carkeys are). If you want a USB stick added on to your keys, use a Micro-HDMI for low profile and convenience

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RBGYGPG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LEFT FRONT POCKET

Iphone6, Samsung S6, etc etc. Whatever floats your boat

Pick a small battery charger, search for it on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=portable+battery+charger&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aportable+battery+charger

Get a retractable cable for your charger if you need too (low profile)

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters%C2%AE-Gold-Plated-Retractable-Micro-USB/dp/B00SVVY844/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1474558782&sr=8-4&keywords=USB+retractable+cable

JEAN COIN POCKET (on front right pocket)

That gerber fold up knife https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016KHW2W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RIGHT MOST JEAN STRAP ( was the front right before)

Carbiner

https://www.amazon.com/LeBeila-Carabiner-Aluminum-Locking-Keychain/dp/B013NNG18U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474558280&sr=8-1&keywords=carabiner

duck tape

Tape planet had the cheapest prices at $1.54 each

http://www.tapeplanet.com/Mini-Rainbow-Duck-Tape-Duckling-p/stdtpl-282322.htm

BACK LEFT POCKET

Measuring tape. This one has the lowest profile so it doesn't hurt to sit on, 10' is good enough for almost everything

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-33-115-10-Foot--4-Inch-PowerLock/dp/B00009OYGH/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1474558504&sr=8-7&keywords=measuring+tape

BACK RIGHT POCKET

Get sticky notes, I suggest highland brand 3"x3" since it works for nearly everything you might need sticky notes. I suggest getting both, alternate colors by day

Plain yellow:

https://www.amazon.com/Post--Markers-Assorted-Bright-670-10AB/dp/B007QFATEO/ref=sr_1_6?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1474558871&sr=1-6&keywords=sticky+notes

Color:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OCPJK0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, get a sharpie too. Fine points are good

https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Permanent-Markers-Point-Black/dp/B00006IFHD/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1474558955&sr=1-1&keywords=sharpie

Alternatively or ultra fine

https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-37001WM-Permanent-Marker-12-Pack/dp/B00006IFI3/ref=pd_sim_229_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=08FBBP33PZV82ZY7AT41


--------------

that's my current setup

I was on the fence about extra storage too, and as much as I love the idea of extra storage via mSD cards, I still prefer the Nexus 6. Plus I have an otg flash drive that can do my heavy storage.

That said, I can do with a phone without mSD now, but still want it on my tablet.