My Sony ZV-1 handles most of my video work, but my phone is always with me for everyday 4K footage. Those files soon eat into its storage. Cloud backups were too slow for what I needed, so I was looking for a physical storage option when I had the chance to test the Orico MG7-G2 Magnetic Docking Station.
Unboxing and Components
In the box are the aluminum dock, a short flat USB-C cable, a thermal pad for M.2 2230 drives, rubber retaining pins, and a magnetic ring. The cable is short enough to keep things tidy with the dock attached to a phone. There’s no SSD included, so you’ll need to supply your own.
Aluminum Build and MagSafe Compatibility
The dock comes in three colors, each with an aluminum-alloy finish that gives it a pleasing metallic feel.
It looks at home among the black gear in my review studio. I don’t use an iPhone, but my MagSafe-compatible case holds it firmly against the back of my phone. It adds some thickness, much like a small power bank, without making the phone uncomfortable to hold.
Ports on All 4 Sides
On one side are USB-A and USB-C ports, both rated for 10Gbps. Connecting an external drive or other equipment allows transfers of around 1,000MB/s, which makes moving files much quicker.
The opposite side has the power and host connections: a PD charging port rated for up to 100W and a separate “PC IN” port for the phone or computer. That lets you keep the device powered during long recordings and file transfers.
Along the bottom are adjacent SD 3.0 and Micro SD card readers. I can plug in the card from my Sony ZV-1 to check footage and back it up on location, rather than wait until I’m back at my desk.
The top has a 3.5mm audio jack and an HDMI output supporting 4K. Wired earphones let you monitor audio as you record, while an external display makes it easier to inspect footage closely.
Internal Board and SSD Installation
Undo a single screw and the tightly packed internal board is exposed. It takes a 2230 NVMe SSD, which slides into the angled central slot and is held with a screw. Orico has used the space carefully to fit the ports and their controllers into a dock small enough to sit in your palm.
Using It with Samsung DeX
Orico puts iPhones front and center in its marketing, but for me the more interesting pairing is a Samsung phone running DeX. Connect the HDMI cable, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and speaker cable to the dock ahead of time, and the remaining step is simply to plug in the phone. That creates a mobile workstation without having to reconnect each peripheral individually. I can see the appeal of leaving this arrangement ready at a remote workspace: the dock and all its cables stay in place, and the phone is the piece I bring over when I need to work. It’s a particularly convenient use of the connections already built into the enclosure.
Who is this for?
I’d recommend this to creators who regularly shoot 4K footage on their phones and need to back it up while they are still on location. The storage choice matters here: I’d pair the enclosure with an efficient 2230 SSD, such as one of WD’s compact models. That keeps the drive choice in line with the dock’s small, portable design. For a desk setup, another option is to connect an Orico multiport USB hub and use the arrangement as a stationary docking station. The same little enclosure can then sit at the center of the desk rather than spending all its time attached to a phone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- MagSafe attachment keeps the dock close to the phone and easy to handle
- Combines a hub and external SSD enclosure in a single device
- Small enough to carry easily
Cons
- Requires a shorter 2230 SSD rather than the more common 2280 format
- The surface gets warm during simultaneous file transfers and 100W charging
Final Thoughts
If you shoot primarily on a phone, this dock addresses two familiar frustrations: limited storage and too many cables. It combines the jobs of several hubs in a compact unit, making it easier to keep footage organized without carrying as much equipment.
It’s available on AliExpress, with an extra $10 off through the link and code below.
Purchase Link ↓
Discount Code: HNE4J0074FG1 ($10 Off)
