Lexar unveiled the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD at IFA 2026, which the company describes as the world's thinnest portable SSD. The launch is part of Lexar's broader IFA showcase marking its 30th anniversary in 2026, which also included AI storage technologies and emerging B2B applications.
The Muse features a precision-machined unibody metal enclosure, measuring approximately 3.8 mm at its thickest point and tapering to 1 mm at the edge. Tom's Hardware lists the drive's dimensions as 80x48x3.8 mm (3.15x1.89x0.15 inches). Internally, Lexar says a custom ultra-thin PCB architecture and high-density NAND stacking help maximize space without sacrificing performance.
To achieve its slim profile, the drive uses Lexar's proprietary PogoPin magnetic data connection paired with a supplied SnapLink Magnetic Cable, which attaches via a spring-loaded-pin interface. N52-grade neodymium magnets in both the data connection and a magnetic carry sleeve allow the drive to attach to the back of compatible MagSafe iPhone models. Tom's Hardware noted that this design requires trade-offs, observing that the pogo pin cable connector looks bulky next to the drive itself and that the drive must be slid into its sleeve to attach magnetically to a phone.
Lexar states the Muse delivers read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other USB-C devices. It supports direct external recording of Apple ProRes 4K video at up to 120 FPS on compatible iPhones. Tom's Hardware characterized it as a fairly typical 10 Gbps drive apart from its slim design and noted that sustained write performance in such a thin enclosure remains to be seen; it also said the drive would likely need reformatting to work with non-Apple operating systems, though Lexar notes app support for automatically backing up iPhone footage.
Both sources report the Muse will be available in 512 GB and 1 TB capacities starting in the fourth quarter of 2026. Neither source specifies pricing, though Tom's Hardware speculated the drive would carry a premium price given current storage costs and its thinness claim.