• The Mini SSD is nearly MicroSD-sized but over three times faster.
• Up to 2TB with a SIM-style tray for quick storage expansion.

Storage cards keep getting smaller, but faster speeds usually mean bigger hardware. MicroSD cards are tiny, easy to slip into almost any device, but they can’t keep up with the pace of modern gaming or high-resolution video. At the other end, M.2 SSDs deliver blistering speed but take up far more room. Now, a new format from China promises to combine both traits – small enough to rival MicroSD, but fast enough to compete with much larger drives, as reported by The Verge.

The format is being called the Mini SSD, and the first devices using it have already been revealed. Biwin, a Chinese storage company, is leading the move with its 15mm x 17mm design, also referred to as the “1517” after its dimensions. At just 1.4mm thick, it’s only slightly bigger than a MicroSD card and smaller than a US penny. Despite that, Biwin says it can reach sequential read speeds of 3,700MB/s and write speeds of 3,400MB/s, connecting over PCIe 4.0 x2. It’s being offered in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities – a range that would normally require a much larger form factor.

Speed in perspective

To understand what that means, it helps to compare it with current options. MicroSD Express cards, which are used in the Nintendo Switch 2, can only manage around 985MB/s, at best, making the Mini SSD more than three times faster. Standard SD Express cards can in theory beat it at 3,940MB/s, but they’re nearly double the size. M.2 drives, which dominate PC gaming setups, are still far ahead, with some models hitting 8,000MB/s or even 14,000MB/s. But those are much bigger devices designed for desktops or laptops.

Here’s how it stacks up against other storage cards and SIM cards commonly found in phones and handhelds:

Designed like a SIM card

The Mini SSD uses a tray system similar to smartphone SIM cards. You poke in a pin, slide the tray out, and swap storage the same way you’d change a SIM. The design could make it easy to add or replace storage in devices that normally don’t leave room for bulky drives.

Biwin is pitching the form factor for laptops, tablets, cameras, and phones. It’s also rated IP68 for water and dust resistance and can survive a three-metre drop, making it a fit for outdoor devices and action cameras. But since it’s not an official JEDEC standard yet, there’s no guarantee other manufacturers will adopt it. For now, it’s an experimental format backed by a single company.

First adopters: gaming handhelds

Handheld gaming systems seem to be among the first to try the format. At the ChinaJoy expo, two upcoming devices showed off support for the Mini SSD. GPD’s Win 5, which runs AMD’s Strix Halo chip, also demonstrates the new storage slot. OneNetbook’s OneXPlayer Super X, a hybrid laptop and tablet using the same chip, also advertised its own Mini SSD slot. Both systems are designed to run high-end PC games on the go, making fast storage a priority.

The comparison with Nintendo is clear: while the Switch 2 is sticking with microSD Express, these Chinese handhelds are pushing a faster, albeit less tested, alternative. If it works as promised, players could see shorter load times and smoother performance without sacrificing portability.

What comes next

The biggest question is whether Mini SSD can become a true standard or if it will remain limited to a few niche devices. Without wider adoption, it risks being another short-lived format. There’s also no word on pricing yet, or when cards and readers will be available for purchase.

Still, the idea is appealing: a storage card that combines the size of a MicroSD with the performance of at least an SSD. If it spreads beyond gaming into laptops, phones, or cameras, it could change how devices handle expandable storage. For now, though, it’s a glimpse of what could be the next step in compact, high-speed storage.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.