China's Biwin just introduced an SSD that inserts like a SIM card

This new Mini SSD comes with a storage capacity of up to 2 TB and can be inserted like a SIM card using a dedicated tray.

Image: Biwin

Are we on the verge of experiencing blazing-fast speeds in a truly compact form? The answer seems to be yes. Chinese tech firm Biwin has officially introduced a revolutionary new solid-state drive, a Mini SSD that is only slightly larger than a microSD card. The once-distant dream of having an SSD with lightning-fast speeds in a tiny form factor is now a reality.

China, a global leader in technological innovation, is once again pushing the boundaries of what is possible. While we are accustomed to larger storage drives, Biwin's latest innovation is a minuscule device designed for the future of portable computing. Dubbed the "Mini SSD," this drive is currently available as working samples for two major gaming handheld manufacturers, GPD and OneXPlayer, signaling its immediate application in the portable gaming space.

This new small-size SSD measures a mere 15mm x 17mm x 1.4mm—making it even smaller than a US penny and just slightly bigger than a standard microSD card. Its compact design is a major breakthrough. Additionally, the new Mini SSD boasts impressive durability features, including a 3-meter drop resistance and IP68 dust and water resistance, if the company's claims hold true. This makes it an incredibly useful and robust device for a variety of on-the-go applications. The drive also features advanced thermal management alongside enhanced data integrity and reliability, ensuring top-tier performance even under demanding conditions.

The Blazing Performance of the Mini SSD

The Mini SSD’s performance figures are nothing short of remarkable. It supports sequential read speeds of up to 3700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 3400 MB/s. To achieve this impressive feat, Biwin has incorporated cutting-edge 3D TLC NAND technology. With storage capacities ranging from 512 GB to a spacious 2 TB, the device offers a significant benefit for users who need a large storage capacity with blazing-fast speeds in a minuscule size.

In a recent statement, the company noted: “The BIWIN Mini SSD, with its exceptional speed and storage space, offers a new innovative solution for industries that require high speed, high performance, and high durability storage to handle mission-critical workloads at scale.”

The Future of Connectivity: A New Port Standard?

A natural question arises: how will this new SSD be fitted into our current laptops and devices, which lack a compatible port? The answer lies in its groundbreaking design. The new Mini SSD utilizes a custom-designed SIM card tray that allows it to be inserted and ejected with the same ease as a standard SIM card. This elegant solution could pave the way for manufacturers to adopt a new industry standard, making this technology easily accessible across a wide range of devices, from laptops and smartphones to gaming consoles like the GPD handhelds.

While the company has not yet disclosed the official pricing or release date for the new Mini SSD, its early adoption by two prominent gaming manufacturers suggests that this innovative technology is set to make a significant impact on the future of portable storage.