Using SSD with iPad Air 5

In theory, SSD storage can be connected to iPad and iPad Pro with caveats…

To be recognised by iPadOS, the attached USB storage device must be formatted to FAT, FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+ with a single partition. Microsoft NTFS is not supported. Formatting and partitioning, if required, must be performed using a separate computer; iPad does not provide any facilities to format an external storage device. FAT-based device formatting is broadly universal - facilitates use with many computer systems; APFS and HFS, being Apple proprietary, limit use of external storage to Apple devices.

As the iPad has limited power capabilities, dependent upon the Storage Device, an external power source is often required.

If you have one of the newest iPad Pro models, with a USB-C connector, you may need to utilise a powered USB hub (i.e., it has its own source of power) - connecting both the iPad Pro and the storage device to ports on the hub.

Some additional information can be found here:

Connect external devices or servers with Files on iPhone - Apple Support

https://www.imore.com/how-use-external-hard-drives-your-iphone-or-ipad

You might want to format it to macOS journaled of apfs for it to work with your ipad

There have been past reports of difficulties with the Samsung T7 - whereas the similar Samsung T5 does not appear to exhibit similar issues with iPad.

Not compatible try looking into MacBook and using the external device called “Thunderbolt” to connect. That’s to the best of my knowledge