Lexar’s Muse is an ultra-slim portable SSD that’s less than 4mm thick
What's happening
Lexar is launching an ultra-slim portable SSD called the Muse that measures less than 4mm thick, joining competitors in eliminating the USB-C port to achieve an exceptionally thin profile. The drive will be available later this year in 512GB and 1TB capacities.
Who's involved
Lexar International is an American flash memory company based in San Jose that has specialized in memory product design for years; since 2017 it has operated as a subsidiary of Longsys, a Chinese flash memory manufacturer. Competitors like Xteink are also pursuing similar ultra-slim designs.
Why it matters
The trend toward sacrificing conventional ports for slimmer hardware marks a shift in how manufacturers prioritize portability and design aesthetics in storage devices. As SSDs become thinner and more competitive, consumers gain access to more compact options, though the removal of standard USB-C ports may create friction in daily use and charging workflows.
The story
Lexar is pushing the boundaries of portable storage design with its upcoming Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, a drive engineered to measure less than 4mm in thickness—making it one of the slimmest options available when it launches later this year. The company is achieving this remarkable thinness by eliminating the USB-C port entirely, a design choice that puts it in step with competitors like Xteink who have made similar trade-offs in pursuit of form-factor minimalism.
Lexar International, based in San Jose, California, has built its reputation over decades as a specialist in flash memory product design. The company, now a subsidiary of Longsys—a Shenzhen-based flash memory manufacturer that acquired it in 2017—continues to innovate in the portable storage segment. The Muse represents the company's latest entry into an increasingly competitive category where thin and light have become key selling points.
The drive will launch in two capacities: 512GB and 1TB, offering consumers familiar storage options in an unprecedented form factor. According to The Verge, the ultra-slim profile comes at the cost of traditional connectivity, which may require buyers to rely on adapters or alternative connection methods. This design philosophy reflects a broader debate in consumer electronics between maximum portability and ease of use.
The move toward port-free or port-minimal designs in storage devices illustrates how manufacturers are willing to challenge conventional expectations to differentiate their products. Whether consumers will embrace a drive that sacrifices standard USB-C connectivity for a thinner chassis remains to be seen, but the market's appetite for increasingly compact technology suggests there is genuine demand for such innovations.