A Chinese company is preparing to release a new type of solid-state drive (SSD) that combines the portability of a MicroSD card with the speed of larger storage devices. The “Mini SSD,” developed by storage manufacturer Biwin, has been unveiled as one of the smallest high-speed drives on the market.
The drive, also referred to by another manufacturer as the “1517,” measures just 15mm by 17mm with a thickness of 1.4mm, making it slightly larger than a MicroSD card but smaller than a U.S. penny. Despite its small size, it is capable of achieving maximum sequential read speeds of 3,700 MB/s and write speeds of 3,400 MB/s through a PCIe 4.0 x2 connection. The Mini SSD will be available in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities.
In comparison, the latest MicroSD Express cards, which will be compatible with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, can reach theoretical speeds of up to 985MB per second—less than a third of Biwin’s offering. Full-size SD Express cards can theoretically achieve 3,940MB per second, but they are almost twice the size of the new Mini SSD. Although nano-SIMs used in modern smartphones are still smaller, traditional M.2 drives remain faster overall.
Designed for multiple devices
Biwin has presented the Mini SSD as a versatile storage solution for laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras and more. It uses a dedicated slot that works in the same way as smartphone SIM card trays, requiring a pin to eject the card.
The company has also highlighted its durability, claiming IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, as well as protection from drops of up to three metres. These features could make the Mini SSD particularly attractive for mobile devices that require both high performance and reliability in tough conditions.
It is not yet clear whether Biwin’s Mini SSD represents a new industry standard that other manufacturers will adopt. However, its compact design and fast speeds are already drawing attention within the technology sector.
Already in new gaming devices
The Mini SSD has already been integrated into two upcoming Chinese gaming portables, both announced at the ChinaJoy exhibition last week. One of these is the GPD Win 5, a handheld device known for its powerful Strix Halo chip and large battery capacity. Promotional material for the device shows the new SSD in use.
Another early adopter is OneNetbook, whose upcoming OneXPlayer Super X hybrid laptop-tablet will also feature a dedicated Mini SSD card slot. Like the GPD Win 5, the device uses AMD’s Strix Halo processor and is positioned as a high-performance portable computer.
Currently, Biwin has not disclosed pricing for the Mini SSD, nor are there any product listings available. The company is expected to share more details as launch plans progress, but the development already marks an important step in the evolution of ultra-compact storage solutions.
