Apple’s technical specifications are clear about ProRes RAW recording requirements. Your external SSD must meet specific performance thresholds to avoid “Slow Recording Speed” errors that interrupt capture. For 4K60 ProRes recording, you need minimum sustained write speeds of 220MB/s. Jump to 4K120 and that requirement doubles to 440MB/s.
These aren’t peak burst speeds – your drive needs to maintain these minimum rates continuously throughout your recording session. Standard USB thumb drives and older external hard drives cannot keep up with these demands. You need a true solid-state drive with modern USB 3.2 interfaces to handle ProRes RAW data rates reliably.
The file sizes explain why external storage becomes essential. ProRes RAW generates approximately 4GB to 5GB of data per minute when recording at 4K60. Testing by cinematographers has shown that a single day of ProRes RAW shooting can easily consume 300GB or more of storage. Even the largest 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max would fill up after roughly six to eight hours of continuous recording.
Apple’s decision to require external recording for ProRes RAW appears to involve thermal management and flash endurance considerations. ProRes RAW encoding places significant load on the processor while simultaneously writing massive amounts of data at high sustained speeds. External SSDs are specifically designed for this type of professional video workload.
Your external drive must also be formatted as exFAT for compatibility with iPhone 17 Pro ProRes RAW recording. Lexar Portable SSD’s are formatted as exFAT as default. Apple’s documentation specifies that password-encrypted drives are not supported. You’ll need a USB-C cable rated for at least 10 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2 or higher) to connect your external SSD to the iPhone.
What ProRes RAW Offers Video Creators
ProRes RAW captures data directly from the iPhone’s camera sensor before Apple’s image signal processor applies its standard adjustments. This gives you complete control over white balance, ISO, and exposure decisions during post-production rather than at capture time. The format preserves maximum dynamic range and color information for professional color grading workflows.
Unlike standard video codecs that make processing decisions during recording, ProRes RAW defers these decisions to the editing suite. You can adjust parameters that would normally be “baked in” to the footage without degrading image quality. This flexibility is why cinema cameras and high-end video production have used RAW formats for years.
The iPhone 17 Pro’s implementation includes Apple Log 2, an updated logarithmic color profile that extends dynamic range beyond the original Apple Log. This flatter color response captures more information in highlights and shadows, giving colorists additional latitude during grading.
ProRes RAW files are significantly larger than other recording formats available on iPhone. According to Apple’s own estimates, ProRes files can be up to 30 times larger than HEVC files of the same footage. This dramatic size increase is the tradeoff for gaining RAW editing flexibility.
The format works with professional editing applications including Final Cut Pro for Mac and iPad, DaVinci Resolve, and other NLE software that supports Apple ProRes RAW. Currently, Final Cut Camera 2.0 and Blackmagic Camera both support ProRes RAW recording on iPhone 17 Pro.
Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD Technical Specifications
The Lexar® ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD meets and exceeds Apple’s technical requirements for ProRes RAW recording. The drive achieves up to 2000MB/s read speeds and up to 2000MB/s write speeds through its USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface. These verified specifications provide substantial performance headroom above the 220MB/s and 440MB/s minimums Apple requires.
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 is a dual-lane interface that effectively doubles bandwidth compared to the more common single-lane USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard. The iPhone 17 Pro’s USB-C port supports this dual-lane configuration, allowing the ES5 to deliver its full 2000MB/s performance when properly connected with a compatible cable.
The drive’s physical specifications make it practical for mobile video production. It measures 85mm x 54mm x 11mm and weighs 80 grams. The compact aluminum housing serves double duty as a passive heatsink, dissipating thermal energy generated during high-speed data transfers without requiring active cooling fans.
Environmental protection reaches IP65 certification, meaning the ES5 is sealed against dust ingress and can withstand water jets from any direction. The drive is also rated to survive drops from 3 meters. These durability specifications address the reality that external storage for mobile video production operates in field conditions rather than controlled studio environments.
The Lexar® ES5 includes integrated magnetic mounting that aligns with MagSafe-compatible devices. For iPhone 12 and newer models that include MagSafe, the drive attaches directly to the back of the phone through magnetic alignment. The connection is designed to stay secure during normal camera movements while releasing cleanly if the cable catches on something.
An integrated cable clip stores the included USB-C cable directly on the drive. The cable length is optimized at approximately 15cm to position the ES5 close to the iPhone while magnetic attachment maintains the connection.
The drive ships formatted as exFAT, which is exactly what Apple requires for ProRes recording on iPhone. This means the ES5 works immediately upon connection without requiring reformatting steps.
The Lexar® ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD is backed by a five-year limited warranty. The drive is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, with a 4TB option coming soon. Operating temperature range extends from 0°C to 50°C, covering most shooting conditions.
Recording ProRes RAW with the Lexar ES5
To record ProRes RAW on iPhone 17 Pro, you need iOS 26 or later and either Final Cut Camera 2.0 or Blackmagic Camera installed. Connect the Lexar® ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD to your iPhone’s USB-C port using the included cable. The drive should appear in the Files app, confirming the connection is active.
Launch Final Cut Camera and navigate to the settings menu. Under Codec options, select either Apple ProRes RAW or Apple ProRes RAW HQ. The HQ variant offers higher quality at the cost of larger file sizes – approximately 20% to 30% increase over standard ProRes RAW.
Choose your resolution and frame rate settings. The iPhone 17 Pro supports 4K Open Gate recording in ProRes RAW, which captures the full sensor area at 4224×3024 pixels. This unusual 1.4:1 aspect ratio provides flexibility for reframing to different delivery formats in post-production. You can extract 2.39:1 cinema scope, 16:9 standard video, 1:1 square formats, or 9:16 vertical social media crops from the same Open Gate master file.
Frame rate options include 24, 25, 30, and 60 frames per second when shooting ProRes RAW. The specific lenses available for ProRes RAW recording are the ultra-wide camera, main wide camera, and the 5x telephoto camera.
The camera interface displays estimated recording time remaining based on the connected drive’s available space. With a 2TB Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD and 4K60 ProRes RAW settings, you can expect approximately 7-8 hours of recording capacity.
One technical limitation to be aware of: stabilization features including electronic image stabilization and sensor-shift optical image stabilization are disabled when recording ProRes RAW in Open Gate mode. This makes handheld shooting more challenging. Tripod or gimbal support becomes important for stable footage.
File Management and Workflow Considerations
ProRes RAW recording generates large files that require systematic management. Apple recommends reformatting your external SSD before beginning 4K120 ProRes recording sessions to maintain optimal performance.
After completing recording, use the Files app to safely eject the Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD before disconnecting the USB-C cable. This writes any cached data to the drive and prevents file corruption. The ES5 then connects to Mac or Windows computers for file transfer and backup.
Professional workflow practices call for backing up footage to at least two additional locations as soon as practical after shooting. The ES5’s 2000MB/s read speeds make transferring hundreds of gigabytes of footage relatively quick when connected to computers with high-speed USB or Thunderbolt ports.
Files import directly into Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve with full metadata preserved. White balance, exposure, and ISO remain adjustable parameters rather than fixed values. This editing flexibility is the core benefit of shooting RAW formats.
Color grading workflows typically begin by applying log-to-Rec.709 transforms or custom LUTs that convert the flat Log footage into viewable images. Apple provides Apple Log 2 LUTs with Final Cut Pro.
Cross-Platform Capabilities Beyond iPhone
While the Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD is optimized for iPhone ProRes RAW workflows, its specifications make it useful across multiple devices and platforms. The exFAT formatting Apple requires for iPhone compatibility also provides universal compatibility with Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android systems.
Mac users can connect the ES5 for general file storage, Time Machine backups, or as scratch disk space for video editing projects. The 2000MB/s speeds make the drive fast enough to edit 4K video directly from external storage.
Windows compatibility is complete without requiring any driver installations or formatting changes. Video editors working in Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or other Windows-based editing applications can access iPhone ProRes RAW files on the ES5 without conversion steps.
Gaming applications represent another use case. The ES5’s speed specifications meet Sony’s requirements for PlayStation 5 extended storage. Xbox Series X and Series S also work with the drive for game library expansion.
Photography workflows benefit from the ES5’s combination of speed and portability. Photographers can back up memory cards to the drive in the field, then use the drive as working storage when editing in Lightroom or Capture One.
Real-World Capacity Planning
The 1TB Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD provides approximately 3-4 hours of 4K60 ProRes RAW recording capacity. This suits shorter shoots, documentary work where you capture selectively, or situations where you can offload footage to a computer between shooting sessions.
The 2TB model doubles capacity to roughly 6-8 hours of recording time. This becomes the practical minimum for day-long shoots, event coverage, or any situation where you cannot easily back up footage during the production day.
The upcoming 4TB ES5 will provide 12-15 hours of ProRes RAW capacity. This suits multi-day shoots in remote locations, documentary production where backup opportunities are limited, or productions that generate large amounts of footage.
Planning storage needs requires considering both recording time and backup requirements. Best practices call for having enough storage to capture all planned footage plus at least one complete backup copy.
When ProRes RAW Makes Sense for Your Workflow
ProRes RAW recording suits specific production scenarios where its benefits justify the additional storage requirements and post-production complexity. Projects requiring extensive color grading benefit from the format’s latitude for adjustments. Content destined for HDR delivery takes advantage of ProRes RAW’s extended dynamic range capture.
Multi-camera productions using genlock synchronization can maintain consistent color and exposure across all cameras when shooting RAW. The ability to match white balance and exposure in post rather than at capture simplifies on-set workflow.
Green screen and visual effects work benefits from ProRes RAW’s clean color information. The format provides better keying results than compressed formats and preserves the color data needed for complex compositing work.
Documentary and cinema projects where the aesthetic requires significant color grading justify the ProRes RAW workflow. When the final look depends on manipulating color, contrast, and tone in post-production, starting with RAW footage provides maximum flexibility.
Situations where ProRes RAW adds unnecessary complexity include social media content with quick turnaround requirements, news and event coverage that requires same-day delivery, and projects where the final output doesn’t benefit from extensive color grading.
Lexar ES5 Technical Summary
The Lexar® ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD specifications align with the demanding requirements of iPhone 17 Pro ProRes RAW recording:
Performance Specifications:
- Read Speed: Up to 2000MB/s
- Write Speed: Up to 2000MB/s
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
- Connector: USB Type-C
Physical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 85mm x 54mm x 11mm (3.34″ x 2.12″ x 0.43″)
- Weight: 80 grams (0.176 lbs)
- Color: Silver
- Construction: Aluminum housing with passive thermal management
Durability Specifications:
- IP65 dust and water resistance rating
- 3-meter drop protection
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F)
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)
Compatibility:
- macOS 10.6 and later
- Windows 11/10/8/7
- iOS (iPhone 15/16/17 series and above)
- Android 4.4 and later
- Gaming consoles including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S
- Tablets, cameras, and other USB-C devices
Capacity Options:
- 1TB – approximately 3-4 hours 4K60 ProRes RAW
- 2TB – approximately 6-8 hours 4K60 ProRes RAW
- 4TB (Coming Soon) – approximately 12-15 hours 4K60 ProRes RAW
Additional Features:
- 5-year limited warranty
- Integrated cable storage clip
- MagSafe-compatible magnetic mounting
- Pre-formatted exFAT for immediate iPhone compatibility
The 2000MB/s performance specifications provide substantial headroom above Apple’s stated requirements of 220MB/s for 4K60 and 440MB/s for 4K120 ProRes recording. This performance margin helps maintain reliable recording even as the drive warms up during extended sessions or when approaching capacity limits.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 Pro’s ProRes RAW recording capability opens professional video workflows to mobile devices, but it requires proper storage infrastructure to function.
The Lexar® ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD meets these requirements with verified 2000MB/s speeds, professional durability features, and MagSafe convenience designed specifically for mobile workflows. The drive’s specifications provide the performance headroom necessary for reliable ProRes RAW recording while offering cross-platform compatibility for use across Mac, Windows, Android, and gaming systems.
For creators exploring ProRes RAW on iPhone 17 Pro, understanding the storage requirements is essential. The format produces massive files and requires fast, external SSDs to maintain recording without errors – plan for 4GB to 5GB per minute at 4K60. The 2TB capacity model provides practical all-day recording capacity for most productions.
ProRes RAW makes sense for projects requiring extensive color grading, HDR delivery, multi-camera synchronization, or VFX work. The format’s flexibility comes at the cost of larger files and more complex workflows. Standard ProRes or HEVC remain appropriate choices for content that doesn’t require RAW’s extended post-production latitude.The Lexar® ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD provides the foundation for reliable ProRes RAW capture. Its combination of speed, durability, and convenience addresses the specific challenges of mobile professional video while maintaining compatibility across the broader ecosystem of devices creators use daily.
