Lexar announces world's thinnest portable SSD at IFA 2026

At the IFA 2026 electronics fair in Berlin, German tech giant Lexar announced its latest innovations, including the world's thinnest portable SSD, the Muse, as part of a celebration of its 30th anniversary.

The Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, named for its role in inspiring creativity, features a minimalist design and magnetic connectivity. Weighing in at just 3.8 mm at its thickest point, the SSD offers premium aesthetics and a clean, streamlined profile. Paired with the SnapLink Magnetic Cable, the drive provides a seamless storage solution for mobile users. Compatible with a range of devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and USB-C enabled devices, the Muse supports direct external recording of Apple ProRes 4K video at up to 120 fps on compatible iPhone models.

"Bringing high-speed external storage into a card-like form factor, the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD is designed to empower creators," said Lexar CEO, Frank Liu. "Its sleek design and intuitive magnetic connections make it an essential tool for on-the-go workflows."

The Muse's compact size and speed are achieved through a custom ultra-thin PCB architecture, high-density NAND stacking, and an integrated internal structure. Its read speeds reach up to 1,050 MB/s, and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, making it a fast and reliable storage solution for content creators. Available in 512GB and 1TB capacities, the drive will be launched in Q4 2026.

At the same event, Lexar also showcased advancements in its AI Storage Core technologies. These innovations, which include next-generation Gen5 SSD and Gen5 Storage Stick, support compact AI devices with larger local model storage, faster model switching, and lower-latency data access. Underpinning these concepts is a hardware-software architecture built around Lexar's self-developed Gen5 controller SPU and Luma Bridge technologies. The SPU, manufactured on a 5 nm process, is engineered to maintain high-performance AI storage capabilities while improving supply stability.

Lexar is also expanding its storage expertise into specialized commercial environments. For system builders and business customers, the company is showcasing its client SSD portfolio, which includes flexible PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 options tailored to different performance, capacity, and cost requirements. Additionally, Lexar's Dashcam USB Flash Drive Series is designed for EV users, offering high-endurance firmware, EV compatibility, and reliable operation in demanding temperatures.

"These innovations underscore Lexar's commitment to advancing memory and storage solutions for a wide range of applications, from mobile capture to AI-driven devices," said Liu.

IFA 2026 visitors can explore Lexar's latest innovations at Messe Berlin, Level 1, Hall 20, Stand 101, in the Content Creation area near the North Entrance from September 4 to 8, 2026.

Founded in California in 1996, Lexar has spent three decades advancing reliable, high-performance memory solutions. Operating across more than 100,000 sales channels in over 70 countries, Lexar continues to empower creators, professionals, and everyday users worldwide with its award-winning portfolio.