Lexar’s Muse – a design triumph or a usability nightmare?
Lexar has just unveiled the Muse, a portable solid‑state drive that it markets as the world’s thinnest at a maximum thickness of 3.8 mm and a feather‑light edge that drops to 1 mm. On paper, the device looks like something you could slip between the pages of a paperback novel – a tempting proposition for anyone who needs extra storage on the go without adding bulk to a backpack or a phone case.
But the sleek silhouette comes with a trade‑off that could make the Muse more of a conversation piece than a daily workhorse for Android power users.
How the Muse connects – magnetic pogo pins instead of USB‑C
Most portable SSDs sold in the UK market today rely on the ubiquitous USB‑C interface, which works natively with the majority of modern Android smartphones, tablets and laptops. Lexar has taken a different route: the Muse foregoes a physical USB‑C port entirely and instead uses a set of magnetic pogo pins that snap onto a matching connector on the host device.
"The Muse uses magnetic pogo pins to move data," the original Android Central piece notes.
The idea is that a magnetic link can be more secure than a plug that can be tugged loose, and it allows the chassis to stay ultra‑thin. In practice, however, it means you need a dedicated adapter or a host device that already incorporates Lexar’s proprietary connector – something that is currently limited to a handful of flagship Android phones and a few Windows laptops that have adopted the standard.
For the average UK Android buyer, this presents a compatibility hurdle. Most Samsung, Google and OnePlus phones ship with standard USB‑C ports only. Without an extra dongle, the Muse simply won’t talk to those devices, negating the convenience factor that portable SSDs are supposed to provide.
Performance specs – do they justify the gimmick?
Lexar claims the Muse can reach up to 1,050 MB/s read and ≈ 900 MB/s write speeds, figures that sit comfortably alongside the Samsung T7 Touch (1,050 MB/s read, 1,000 MB/s write) and the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (1,050 MB/s read, 1,000 MB/s write). In real‑world testing by Android Central, the Muse delivered solid sequential performance, but the random I/O numbers lagged behind its bulkier rivals, likely due to the limited power budget supplied through the magnetic interface.
Because the Muse draws power directly from the host device, it can tax the USB‑C controller of a phone, especially when the phone is already handling other tasks like streaming video or charging. Users reported noticeable heat on both the drive and the phone during prolonged transfers, a symptom not commonly seen with traditional USB‑C SSDs that have their own power regulation.
Pricing and availability in the UK
The Muse launches at £149 for the 1 TB model, with a 512 GB variant priced at £99. These figures are competitive with the Samsung T7 (1 TB at £139) and the SanDisk Extreme (1 TB at £144), but the added cost of a Lexar magnetic adapter (£19) pushes the total outlay higher than the alternatives that work straight out of the box.
Retailers such as Currys, John Lewis and Amazon UK have listed the Muse with a limited stock of 500 units, suggesting Lexar is testing market reaction before a wider rollout. The drive is covered by a two‑year warranty, matching the industry norm.
Who might actually benefit from the Muse?
For a niche segment of users – for example, photographers who already own a Lexar‑compatible camera or laptop – the magnetic connection could be a neat, low‑profile solution that reduces the risk of accidental unplugging. In a studio setting where cables are constantly jostled, a magnetic snap‑on could be a genuine advantage.
However, for the typical UK Android enthusiast who swaps files between a phone, a Chromebook and a family PC, the Muse’s lack of universal connectivity is a deal‑breaker. The extra adapter adds another piece to the bag, and the potential for slower random performance may affect tasks like loading apps directly from the SSD or editing 4K video on the fly.
Alternatives that offer thinness and compatibility
If you’re after a sleek SSD that won’t compromise on convenience, consider these options:
| Device | Thickness | Interface | Speed (Read/Write) | UK Price (1 TB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung T7 Touch | 5 mm | USB‑C (USB‑3.2) | 1,050 / 1,000 MB/s | £139 |
| SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD | 6.8 mm | USB‑C (USB‑3.2) | 1,050 / 1,000 MB/s | £144 |
| WD My Passport SSD | 6.5 mm | USB‑C (USB‑3.2) | 1,050 / 1,000 MB/s | £129 |
All three retain a standard USB‑C connector, meaning they work with any Android phone that supports USB‑C OTG, as well as laptops, consoles and even some car infotainment systems.
Bottom line – a stylish novelty that may not fit most UK Android users’ workflows
Lexar’s Muse is undeniably a design marvel; achieving a sub‑2 mm edge while packing a full‑size SSD is an engineering feat. Yet the decision to abandon the universal USB‑C port in favour of a proprietary magnetic link limits its practicality for the majority of Android owners in the UK.
If you already own a Lexar‑compatible device and value a near‑invisible form factor, the Muse could be a worthwhile addition – provided you’re comfortable buying an extra adapter and accepting slightly lower random performance.
For most consumers hunting a reliable, fast and hassle‑free portable drive, the Samsung T7 or SanDisk Extreme remain the safer bets, delivering comparable speeds, broader compatibility and a price point that doesn’t require extra accessories.
In short, the Muse looks great on the shelf, but when it comes to everyday Android use, its impractical connection method outweighs the thinness advantage.
