A New Storage Category
Chinese manufacturer Biwin has introduced the “Mini SSD,” also referred to by some as the “1517.” Measuring just 15mm x 17mm x 1.4mm, it is smaller than a U.S. penny yet offers sequential read speeds of up to 3,700MB/s and write speeds up to 3,400MB/s over a PCIe 4×2 connection. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities, it could bridge the gap between compact MicroSD cards and larger, faster M.2 drives.
Performance Comparison
For perspective, MicroSD Express cards for devices like the Nintendo Switch 2 peak at 985MB/s, less than one-third of the Mini SSD’s speed. Full-size SD Express cards can slightly exceed the Mini SSD at 3,940MB/s but are almost twice its size. While M.2 drives still outperform it—reaching up to 14,000MB/s—the Mini SSD offers an impressive balance of portability and performance.
Design and Durability
The Mini SSD uses a dedicated slot similar to smartphone SIM trays, allowing easy insertion and removal with a pin tool. Biwin claims IP68 dust and water resistance, along with three-meter drop protection, making it appealing for mobile devices like tablets, laptops, cameras, and smartphones. Whether it becomes a universal standard remains unclear, but the form factor is being marketed for broad device integration.
Early Adopters
Two high-end Chinese gaming portables are among the first to feature this storage. The GPD Win 5 handheld and OneNetbook’s OneXPlayer Super X hybrid laptop/tablet, both equipped with AMD’s Strix Halo chip, announced dedicated Mini SSD slots during the ChinaJoy event. Pricing and global availability have yet to be confirmed, with no retail listings currently available.
