Lexar unveiled the Muse at IFA 2026, calling it the world's thinnest portable SSD at 80x48x3.8mm, using a proprietary magnetic pogo-pin cable and sleeve system instead of a standard USB-C port on the drive itself. It's rated for up to 1,050 MB/s reads and 1,000 MB/s writes and will ship in 512GB and 1TB capacities in Q4 2026.
Lexar used IFA 2026 to introduce the Muse, an external SSD it's billing as the world's thinnest portable drive, marking the company's 30th anniversary. At just 3.8mm at its thickest point and tapering to 1mm at the edges, the drive trades a standard USB-C port for a proprietary magnetic connection system called SnapLink, which uses spring-loaded pogo pins and N52-grade neodymium magnets to attach the included cable to the back of the drive.
According to Tom's Hardware, achieving that slimness required some functional trade-offs — the pogo-pin connector housing looks noticeably bulkier than the drive itself, and using the Muse as a magnetic phone-mount accessory requires first sliding it into a separate carry sleeve that reportedly doubles as a card wallet. TechPowerUp notes the sleeve is designed to attach to compatible MagSafe iPhone models, keeping the whole setup low-profile for handheld filming and on-the-go editing.
Performance-wise, the Muse is described as a fairly typical drive in the 10 Gbps class, with Lexar quoting read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s. It supports direct external recording of Apple ProRes 4K video at up to 120 FPS on compatible iPhones, along with general file transfer, project storage, and backup use across USB-C devices including Macs, Android phones, and PCs.
Lexar says the Muse will launch in 512GB and 1TB capacities sometime in Q4 2026. No pricing has been announced, though Tom's Hardware speculates that the combination of current storage costs and the drive's specialized thin design will likely put it at a premium compared to conventional portable SSDs.
What We Know
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 80 x 48 x 3.8 mm (3.15 x 1.89 x 0.15 inches), tapering to 1mm at the edge |
| Read Speed | Up to 1,050 MB/s |
| Write Speed | Up to 1,000 MB/s |
| Capacities | 512GB and 1TB |
| Availability | Q4 2026 |
| Connectivity | USB-C via proprietary SnapLink magnetic pogo-pin cable (10 Gbps class) |
| Compatibility | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, and PC (may require reformatting for other OSes) |
| Special Feature | Magnetic sleeve for MagSafe iPhone mounting; supports ProRes 4K recording at up to 120 FPS on compatible iPhones |
Frequently Asked Questions
How thin is the Lexar Muse SSD?
The Lexar Muse measures 80x48x3.8mm (3.15x1.89x0.15 inches), tapering to about 1mm at its edges, which Lexar and reviewers are calling the thinnest portable SSD currently announced.
What capacities will the Lexar Muse be available in?
Lexar has confirmed the Muse will launch in 512GB and 1TB capacities.
How does the Lexar Muse connect to devices?
Instead of a standard USB-C port on the drive, the Muse uses Lexar's proprietary SnapLink magnetic cable, which connects via spring-loaded pogo pins and neodymium magnets rather than a physical port.
When will the Lexar Muse be released and how much will it cost?
Lexar has stated the Muse will be available starting in Q4 2026, but no pricing has been announced yet.
