Chinese language producer Biwin has formally launched its new format for handheld PC storage, which might make the standard microSD card out of date. The mini SSD, which we have already seen teased in some just lately introduced handhelds, could be popped out and in at will, very similar to an SD card, however affords massively sooner efficiency.
The mini SSD is just barely greater than an SD card with regards to bodily measurement, with storage capacities that vary from 512GB to 2TB at current. Whether or not or not this uncommon piece of PC video games {hardware} goes mainstream, nonetheless, will rely on whether or not it is simple for different producers to undertake, and whether or not it is dependable, particularly when it is up towards the M.2 2030 drives on our greatest gaming SSD information.
Biwin introduced on the OneXPlayer’s Fall 2025 launch occasion that OneXPlayer handhelds could be the primary to launch with mini SSD help, and confirmed a few of its specs. Whereas it makes use of a proprietary design, the mini SSD does conform to the PCIe 4.0 and the NVMe 1.4 requirements.
In response to the corporate, it is not as quick as a 4x PCIe 4.0 M.2 2230 drive, such because the TeamGroup MP44S, which we would sometimes see in a handheld, however its pair of PCIe 4.0 lanes nonetheless allows it to supply learn and write speeds of as much as 3,718MB/s 3,415MB/s respectively – a lot faster than the 950MB/s micro SD Specific playing cards utilized by the Nintendo Change 2, for instance.
That will give this format speeds which are simply barely increased than a top-spec PCIe 3.0 SSD, whereas additionally score considerably increased than a microSD card, the place a typical UHS-I spec card may solely attain sequential learn and write speeds of 240MB/s and 140MB/s.
Velocity apart, the mini SSD’s dimensions are 0.59 x 0.66 x 0.05 inches (15 x 17 x 1.4mm), giving it a considerably smaller footprint than an M.2 2230 drive. That portability, together with its pace enhancements and easy-install system, make it a greater possibility, on paper not less than, than an SD or microSD card.
OneXPlayer has been teasing an entire set of recent units just lately, together with the OneXPlayer SuperX, a hybrid tablet-handheld combo. That system additionally options what it described on the time as an “exterior mini SSD slot,” which might permit you to use certainly one of these Biwin drives instead of a typical SSD or microSD card. We have additionally seen help for this format teased in a latest GPD Win 5 promotion.
Biwin has confirmed it can begin to bundle it with a few of OneXPlayer’s units, together with the OneXPlayer X1 Air, an Intel Lunar Lake-powered handheld with a ten.95-inch show. Purchased individually, the 512GB mannequin will reportedly price $56 (399 CNY), with the 1TB costing roughly $84 (599 CNY), in response to a report by IT Residence. Pricing for the 2TB mannequin, nonetheless, is not confirmed, neither is a world launch schedule.
These costs would definitely make it an inexpensive possibility for players. Nonetheless, a giant drawback on the horizon for the mini SSD, as spectacular because it may appear, is long-term adoption. With the format in its infancy, Biwin will want greater than only one or two area of interest handheld producers to leap on board for it to change into a hit. Nonetheless, it is good to see innovation within the gaming trade, and we’ll be curious to see whether or not it finally ends up getting extensively adopted.
Be sure that to take a look at our greatest handheld information subsequent when you’re desirous about a transportable gaming rig on your setup, though these units require you to stay with a microSD card or M.2 SSD when you resolve on any future storage updates.
Excited for a sooner and extra versatile storage possibility for handhelds? Tell us your ideas on Biwin’s modern new format by beginning a dialog in our Discord server with different readers and workers.
