Chinese storage manufacturer Biwin has introduced a new “Mini SSD” that is roughly the size of a SIM card at 15 mm × 17 mm × 1.4 mm. Despite its tiny footprint, the solid-state drive is offered in 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB versions and is rated for sequential speeds of up to 3.7 GB/s read and 3.4 GB/s write—an order of magnitude faster than current high-end MicroSD cards. The drive carries an IP68 rating for dust and water protection and, according to the company, can withstand drops of up to three metres thanks to integrated shock proofing. Connectivity is handled through a proprietary PCIe 4×2 interface that fits into a tray similar to those used for smartphone SIM cards. Adoption will depend on hardware makers adding the new slot, but two Chinese handheld devices—the GPD Win 5 gaming console and the forthcoming OneXPlayer SuperX laptop-tablet hybrid—already include support. Biwin said it intends to market the Mini SSD to smartphone, console and notebook vendors, though it has not yet released pricing or a shipping timetable.