At IFA 2026 in Berlin, Lexar unveiled the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, which the company claims is the world’s thinnest portable SSD. At its thickest point, the casing measures just 3.8 mm; toward the edge, it tapers to just 1 mm. This is made possible by a one-piece metal casing and a magnetic PogoPin connection, which eliminates the need for a traditional USB-C port on the drive entirely.
To mark its 30th anniversary, Lexar is using the trade show to showcase several new products: in addition to the Muse, the company is also introducing the “AI Storage Core” with a new Gen5 SSD and Gen5 flash drive for AI workloads, as well as storage solutions for electric vehicles and business customers.
Lexar Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD: Design and Technical Specifications
According to the manufacturer, the Muse weighs about 26.5 grams and is available in 512 GB and 1 TB capacities. Instead of a conventional USB-C port, the drive features a magnetic PogoPin data connection that connects to USB-C devices via the included SnapLink magnetic cable. N52 neodymium magnets ensure proper alignment and a secure fit.
| Dimensions | 80 × 48 × 1–3.8 mm |
| Weight | approx. 26.5 g |
| Capacities | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Read speed | up to 1,050 MB/s |
| Write speed | up to 1,000 MB/s |
| Connection | PogoPin + SnapLink magnetic cable (USB-C) |
| Compatibility | iPhone (iPhone 15 and later), iPad, Mac, other USB-C devices |
| Launch date | Q4 2026, price TBD |
MagSafe case and ProRes recording directly to the drive
The package includes a magnetic protective case that attaches to the back of compatible iPhones via MagSafe. On supported iPhone models, the Muse uses this to record external 4K video in Apple ProRes format at 120 fps directly from the phone. This is handy for vloggers and anyone who produces large raw files on the go and wants to conserve internal storage. .
Early hands-on reviews particularly praise the build quality. However, one criticism comes up repeatedly: The SnapLink cable itself is noticeably thicker than the drive. When used with a smartphone, this somewhat diminishes the slim design’s advantage. Lexar has not yet confirmed whether a DRAM cache is included.
Lexar AI Storage Core: Gen5 Storage for Local AI Models
In addition to the Muse, Lexar is showcasing the AI Storage Core, a new platform combining enclosure technology, chip hardware, and its proprietary Luma Bridge software. At its core is a new Gen5 SSD and a Gen5 USB flash drive, both of which are expected to achieve transfer speeds of up to 11 GB/s. With this, Lexar is targeting use cases such as the local operation of larger AI models, faster model switching, and low-latency data access.
Technically, the entire system is based on a Longsys SPU (Storage Processing Unit) controller manufactured using a 5-nm process, which does not include its own DRAM chip. Instead, the Luma Bridge software handles intelligent workload scheduling, predictive prefetching, and cache management. According to Lexar, this reduces DRAM requirements for large Mixture-of-Experts models and an expanded KV cache by about 40 percent.
Storage for Electric Vehicles and Business Customers
For system manufacturers, Lexar is also introducing a client SSD portfolio featuring PCIe Gen 3 and Gen 4 variants that scales according to budget and performance requirements. In addition, there is a dedicated USB flash drive series for dashcams and multi-camera setups in electric vehicles, designed for continuous loop recording, featuring a slim form factor and operation across a wider temperature range. According to Lexar, this is precisely the segment where the company plans to specifically expand its European business in the coming months.
Context: What Sets the Muse Apart from Other Portable SSDs
For comparison: Lexar’s own TouchLock model measures 7 mm, while Samsung’s T7/T9 series is about 8 mm thick. At 3.8 mm, the Muse is significantly thinner than both. In terms of speed, however, it remains within the typical range for USB 3.2 Gen 2 at around 1,000 MB/s and does not set any PCIe Gen 4 records. The real highlight, then, is less the speed than the form factor and connectivity concept centered around SnapLink and MagSafe.
Lexar’s new consumer brand, Pexar, was also active at the trade show: With the PexarBolt Ultra Thunderbolt 5 dock and the VivKeep Pro digital photo frame, the company is demonstrating that it has a broad portfolio at IFA 2026—not just in storage solutions. Those interested in other tech innovations from the trade show will also find two additional product launches in our overview of the Hohem Eyepic gimbal camera and the Even Realities G2 smart glasses —both of which also focus on compact, mobile hardware.
Conclusion
With the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, Lexar is demonstrating at IFA 2026 that there’s still room for improvement—in the literal sense—when it comes to portable storage. Anyone who regularly films on the go with an iPhone or is simply looking for a backup drive that’s as unobtrusive as possible should keep an eye out for its market launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. Until the price and final availability are confirmed, however, it remains to be seen whether the unusual cable design will prove practical in everyday use.
