Lexar unveiled the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD at IFA 2026, calling it the world's thinnest portable SSD at just 3.8mm at its thickest point, tapering to 1mm at the edges. It swaps the standard USB-C port for a proprietary magnetic SnapLink cable and is aimed at mobile content creators, with a Q4 2026 launch planned in 512GB and 1TB capacities.
Lexar showed off its Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD at IFA 2026 in Berlin, and according to Wccftech, the company is billing it as the world's thinnest portable SSD ever made. The drive measures 80 x 48mm and comes in a precision-machined unibody metal enclosure that hits just 3.8mm at its thickest point, tapering down to a mere 1mm at the edges. Lexar credits high-density NAND stacking, a custom ultra-thin PCB architecture, and an optimized internal component layout for the slim profile, as reported by The Verge.
To achieve that thinness, Lexar had to make a tradeoff: there's no standard USB-C port on the drive itself. Instead, it relies on a proprietary SnapLink Magnetic Cable that connects via spring-loaded pogo pins, held in alignment by N52-grade neodymium magnets. The Verge notes this approach means users will need to keep track of the included cable, and there's an increased risk of it being knocked loose mid-transfer since it's not a locking connection. For mobile video work, an included magnetic sleeve lets the Muse attach directly to the back of compatible MagSafe iPhones, enabling 4K Apple ProRes recording at up to 120fps straight to the drive.
Despite the ultra-compact design, Lexar says performance hasn't been sacrificed, with sequential read speeds up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000MB/s — enough for the ProRes workflows it's targeting. The Muse will launch in 512GB and 1TB capacities, with Wccftech reporting a planned Q4 2026 release. Lexar has not yet disclosed pricing.
What We Know
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Thickness (max) | 3.8mm at thickest point |
| Thickness (edges) | Tapers to 1mm |
| Dimensions | 80 x 48mm, precision-machined unibody metal enclosure |
| Capacities | 512GB and 1TB |
| Sequential Read Speed | Up to 1,050MB/s |
| Sequential Write Speed | Up to 1,000MB/s |
| Connector | SnapLink magnetic pogo-pin cable (no built-in USB-C port), N52-grade neodymium magnets |
| Planned Launch | Q4 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How thin is the Lexar Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD?
It measures 3.8mm at its thickest point and tapers down to just 1mm at the edges, which Lexar says makes it the world's thinnest portable SSD.
Does the Lexar Muse have a USB-C port?
No. Instead of a standard USB-C port, it uses a proprietary SnapLink magnetic cable that connects via pogo pins held in place by neodymium magnets.
What capacities and speeds does the Lexar Muse offer?
It will be available in 512GB and 1TB capacities, with sequential read speeds up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000MB/s.
When is the Lexar Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD launching?
According to Wccftech, Lexar plans to launch the Muse in Q4 2026, though pricing has not yet been disclosed.
