MSI has just introduced an upgraded version of its Datamag magnetic pocket SSD, offering far faster data transfer thanks to USB4 support. With its compact design, large capacity, and high performance, the drive is seen as an ideal solution for anyone who regularly shoots, edits, and stores high-quality video on a phone, camera, or other mobile device.
Much faster transfers with USB4
While most magnetic SSD models today stop at USB 3.2 with a maximum speed of 2 GB/s, MSI's Datamag moves up to USB4, delivering read speeds of up to 4 GB/s and write speeds of 3,6 GB/s (depending on the device). That lets the drive not only keep pace with but also stay well ahead of the storage capabilities of newer smartphones, which are gradually adding support for high-resolution, high-frame-rate video recording. With the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro, the Datamag can record and store 4K 120Hz ProRes video smoothly, and it is also compatible with many other devices, such as Windows PCs, Macs, tablets, professional cameras, and even game consoles.
Capacity is another strength of the Datamag, as MSI offers 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB options, covering both basic and professional storage needs. It is a clear upgrade over the previous generation of magnetic SSDs, with both capacity and speed doubled, making for a noticeably different experience.
A new trend in portable storage
MSI has not yet announced an official price for the Datamag, but many expect it to be similar to the Corsair EX400U, released earlier this year with nearly identical specs: USB4 support at 40Gbps, built-in MagSafe technology, and prices of about 139 USD for the 1 TB version, 199 USD for 2 TB, and 349 USD for 4 TB.
In the broader picture, 2025 saw a boom in high-speed pocket storage devices. The Nintendo Switch 2, released in June, uses microSD Express cards to speed up game loading, a clear improvement over the previous generation. Meanwhile, the GPD Win 5 handheld gaming console drew attention by incorporating Biwin's new Mini SSD format. Only slightly larger than a microSD card, the Mini SSD reaches read speeds of up to 3,7 GB/s, far ahead of microSD Express (900 MB/s). However, the format is currently owned only by Biwin, and it is unclear whether it will become a widely adopted standard in the future.
The arrival of the MSI Datamag USB4 shows that tech companies are entering a new phase of competition, one in which storage capacity and transfer speed matter more and more, especially for content creators and gamers.
