China Debuts Penny-Sized Mini SSDs for Gaming Handhelds

A SIM‑like SSD arrives

Chinese storage maker Biwin has unveiled a tiny new form factor it calls the "Mini SSD": a 15mm × 17mm × 1.4mm flash module that fits into a SIM‑style tray and connects over PCIe 4x2. Despite its postage‑stamp size, Biwin claims sequential reads up to 3,700MB/s and writes up to 3,400MB/s in capacities from 512GB to 2TB.

That combination — SIM‑tray convenience with near‑M.2 bandwidth — is why two Strix Halo‑powered handhelds announced at ChinaJoy have already adopted the format: GPD's Win 5 and OneNetbook's OneXPlayer Super X both show dedicated mini SSD slots in their promotional materials.

How it stacks up against existing options matters for designers and buyers alike.

• Mini SSD — 15×17×1.4mm — up to 3,700MB/s.
• MicroSD — ~11×15×1mm — MicroSD Express tops near 985MB/s in theory.
• SD Express — larger card, theoretical speeds up to ~3,940MB/s, but physically much bigger.
• M.2 drives — much larger, hotter, and capable of far higher throughput for laptops and desktops.

Biwin also touts IP68 sealing and three‑meter drop resistance, positioning the mini SSD as suitable for phones, cameras, and rugged handhelds. The tray mechanism is designed to match SIM‑card workflows: eject with a pin, swap cards quickly, and reuse existing slot geometry in compact devices.

But important questions remain. Is this a proprietary Biwin spec or a budding open standard other vendors will follow? How will thermal throttling behave in a tightly packed handheld? And what will pricing look like once these modules hit retailers?

For OEMs, the mini SSD offers a compelling middle ground: far faster than microSD, smaller and more swappable than M.2. That opens new device designs — thinner tablets, hybrid consoles, modular cameras — but forces engineering tradeoffs around cooling, connector durability, and firmware support.

For buyers and enterprise users, the format could simplify upgrades and field replacements if it gains traction. For governments and procurement teams, diversification of suppliers and clear interoperability standards will matter to avoid lock‑in and to manage supply‑chain risk.

In short, the mini SSD is an intriguing hardware innovation that could reshape how storage fits into compact electronics — but its real impact depends on standardization, pricing, and real‑world thermal and reliability testing. Expect early adopters in niche handhelds and rugged devices, with broader market moves hinging on whether other manufacturers follow Biwin's lead.

QuarkyByte will be tracking compatibility, performance benchmarks in gaming workloads, and supply chain implications as this format matures. Manufacturers and public sector teams evaluating compact storage options should plan for validation across thermal cycles, firmware security, and field‑replaceability scenarios.