If you actually use external storage in the field, then you’ll appreciate a light and thin portable SSD like the new Lexar Muse. Billed as the world’s thinnest portable SSD, the Muse takes thin and light to a ridiculous level that should be hard to beat. Seriously, this thing is so thin that you might mistake it for a fancy metal card. Just don’t try swiping it at a payment terminal.
Unveiled at IFA 2026, the Lexar Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD measures just 3.8 mm (0.15 inches) at its thickest point, tapering to an almost absurd 1 mm (0.04 inches) along the edges. It achieves this feat with a precision-machined aluminum unibody, custom ultra-thin circuit board, and high-density NAND stacking.
But the Muse isn’t merely a pretty piece of metal that stores files. It offers read speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s, making it suitable for transferring large files, backing up photos, and even recording Apple ProRes video at up to 4K 120 fps directly from compatible iPhones.
And here’s where things get interesting. Instead of a conventional USB-C port on the SSD itself, Lexar uses a proprietary SnapLink Magnetic Cable that connects through spring-loaded pogo pins. N52 neodymium magnets help keep everything aligned and attached, while an included MagSafe-compatible sleeve lets you secure the drive to the back of your iPhone.
So, you get external storage without a chunky SSD dangling awkwardly from your phone. Nice.
The Muse also works with compatible iPads, MacBooks, Android devices, and other USB-C hardware. Available in 512 GB and 1 TB capacities, it supports automatic photo and video backups through the Lexar app.
The Lexar Muse is now available for preorder at B&H Photo Video, with availability expected in mid-December 2026. The 512 GB model costs US$249.99, while the 1 TB version will set you back US$399.99.
Images: Lexar.
Story via Digital Camera World.