Lexar Muse: World's Thinnest Portable SSD Features Magnetic Phone Mounting
Measuring just 0.15 inches thick, the new drive uses a proprietary pogo-pin connection to minimize bulk for mobile creators.
Lexar has unveiled the Lexar Muse, a portable SSD designed for extreme portability and seamless mobile integration. The drive provides high-capacity storage for users who require a minimal footprint without sacrificing performance.
Measuring just 0.15 inches (3.8 mm) thick, Lexar claims the Muse is the world's thinnest portable SSD. To achieve this slim profile, Lexar replaced traditional ports with a proprietary SnapLink Magnetic cable, which utilizes a pogo-pin data connection. Additionally, the drive includes a magnetic sleeve designed to allow users to mount the SSD directly to the back of a smartphone, such as those utilizing MagSafe technology.
The Shift Toward Mobile Storage
The introduction of the Muse arrives as mobile content creation continues to evolve. With smartphones now capable of recording high-bitrate 4K and 8K video, internal storage often becomes a bottleneck for creators. While portable SSDs have existed for years, most maintain a thickness that makes them cumbersome when paired with a handheld device. By reducing the chassis to under 4 mm and integrating magnetic mounting, Lexar is attempting to bridge the gap between internal storage and external expansion.
Impact on Mobile Workflows
This design specifically targets mobile creators and smartphone power users who need to offload large files or edit media directly from an external drive. The ability to magnetically attach the drive to a phone eliminates the need for awkward cables dangling from the device or the requirement to hold a separate drive during a shoot. This streamlined physical connection is intended to reduce friction in the workflow, making external storage feel like a native extension of the mobile hardware.
Looking Ahead
While the physical dimensions and the pogo-pin system are confirmed, the industry will be watching to see how the proprietary SnapLink cable affects long-term versatility compared to standard USB-C connections. It remains to be seen how the drive performs under heavy thermal loads given its extremely thin chassis, as heat dissipation is typically a challenge for ultra-slim storage devices. As mobile workflows demand more speed and less bulk, the Muse represents a significant pivot toward hardware that treats the smartphone as the primary workstation.