Chinese manufacturer Biwin has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in handheld PC storage that may signal the end of the traditional microSD card. The mini SSD, which has already been hinted at in several newly announced handheld devices, offers a user-friendly design that allows for easy insertion and removal, akin to an SD card, while delivering significantly enhanced performance.
Specifications and Performance
Measuring only slightly larger than a standard SD card, the mini SSD boasts storage capacities ranging from 512GB to 2TB. Its future in the market will largely hinge on its adoption by other manufacturers and its reliability, particularly when compared to the M.2 2030 drives featured in leading gaming SSDs.
At the recent OneXPlayer Fall 2025 launch event, Biwin confirmed that OneXPlayer handhelds will be the first to support the mini SSD format. The device adheres to the PCIe 4.0 and NVMe 1.4 standards, although it does not quite match the speed of a 4x PCIe 4.0 M.2 2230 drive, such as the TeamGroup MP44S typically found in handhelds. Nevertheless, its dual PCIe 4.0 lanes allow for impressive read and write speeds of up to 3,718MB/s and 3,415MB/s, respectively—far surpassing the 950MB/s offered by microSD Express cards used in devices like the Nintendo Switch 2.
In terms of speed, the mini SSD achieves performance levels that are marginally higher than a top-tier PCIe 3.0 SSD, while significantly outperforming typical microSD cards, which generally max out at sequential read and write speeds of 240MB/s and 140MB/s.
Portability and Compatibility
The mini SSD’s compact dimensions of 0.59 x 0.66 x 0.05 inches (15 x 17 x 1.4mm) give it a notably smaller footprint compared to an M.2 2230 drive. This portability, combined with its speed advantages and straightforward installation process, positions it as a more appealing alternative to both SD and microSD cards.
Recently, OneXPlayer has been teasing a range of new devices, including the OneXPlayer SuperX, which is a hybrid tablet-handheld combination. This device features an “external mini SSD slot,” allowing users to utilize Biwin’s drives in place of standard SSDs or microSD cards. Additionally, support for this innovative format has been hinted at in a recent promotion for the GPD Win 5.
Pricing and Market Potential
Biwin has announced plans to bundle the mini SSD with select OneXPlayer devices, including the OneXPlayer X1 Air, which is powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake and features a 10.95-inch display. The pricing is set to be competitive, with the 512GB model retailing at approximately (399 CNY) and the 1TB model around (599 CNY). However, the pricing for the 2TB variant remains unconfirmed, along with a global launch timeline.
These price points position the mini SSD as an attractive option for gamers. However, the path to widespread adoption may present challenges. For the mini SSD to achieve success, Biwin will need to garner support from more than just a handful of niche handheld manufacturers. Nonetheless, the introduction of this innovative storage solution is a promising development in the gaming industry, and its future will be closely watched.
For those considering a portable gaming rig, it’s advisable to refer to our best handheld guide. Currently, these devices still rely on microSD cards or M.2 SSDs for any future storage upgrades.
If you’re eager for a faster and more versatile storage option for handheld devices, we invite you to share your thoughts on Biwin’s innovative new format. Join the conversation on our Discord server with fellow readers and staff.
