A new type of storage technology from China is set to revolutionize the way we upgrade our gaming portables. The “Mini SSD” measures just 15mm x 17mm x 1.4mm, smaller than a U.S. penny and slightly larger than MicroSD cards. Despite its tiny size, it boasts maximum sequential read speeds of 3,700 megabytes per second (or 3,400MB/s writes) over a PCIe 4×2 connection.
Compared to existing storage options, the Mini SSD outperforms MicroSD Express cards used in gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2, which top out at around 985MB/s. Even full-size SD Express cards can’t match its speed, but they would be nearly twice as large. In contrast, nano-SIMs used in smartphones are still smaller, while M.2 drives are significantly faster.
Biwin’s Mini SSD comes with capacities of 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Its unique design features a dedicated slot that works exactly like smartphone SIM card slots, allowing users to easily insert and remove the tray. The company claims IP68 water and dust resistance, as well as three-meter drop resistance, making it suitable for phones and other devices.
Two cutting-edge gaming portables, the GPD Win 5 and OneNetbook’s OneXPlayer Super X, will feature the new Mini SSD in their upcoming releases. While pricing information is not available yet, the potential upgrade to these devices could significantly improve performance.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/759624/china-is-about-to-launch-ssds-so-small-you-insert-them-like-a-sim-card