MSI has just introduced an upgraded version of its Datamag magnetic portable SSD series, delivering exceptional data transfer speeds thanks to USB4 support. With a compact design, massive storage capacity, and high performance, this device is considered the ideal solution for those who frequently shoot, edit, and store high-quality video on phones, cameras, or other mobile devices.
Superior Transfer Speeds with USB4
While most current magnetic SSD models are limited to USB 3.2 with maximum speeds of 2 GB/s, MSI’s Datamag upgrades to USB4, delivering read speeds up to 4 GB/s and write speeds of 3.6 GB/s (depending on the device). This allows the device to not only keep pace with but also far exceed the storage capabilities of new smartphone lines, which are increasingly supporting high-resolution video recording and high refresh rates. With the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro, Datamag can smoothly record and store 4K 120Hz ProRes video, while remaining compatible with various other devices such as Windows PCs, Macs, tablets, professional cameras, and even gaming consoles.
Capacity is also a major strength of Datamag, as MSI offers 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB options, meeting both basic and professional storage needs. This is a significant upgrade over the previous generation of magnetic SSDs, where both capacity and speed have been doubled, providing a completely different experience.
A New Trend in Portable Storage
Although MSI has not yet announced the official retail price for Datamag, many predictions suggest it will be similar to the Corsair EX400U released earlier this year with nearly identical specs: supporting USB4 at 40Gbps, featuring MagSafe technology, and priced at approximately $139 for the 1 TB version, $199 for 2 TB, and $349 for 4 TB.
In a broader context, 2025 is witnessing an explosion of high-speed portable storage devices. The Nintendo Switch 2, released in June, utilized microSD Express cards to boost game loading speeds, outperforming the previous generation. Simultaneously, the GPD Win 5 handheld gaming console has also drawn attention by integrating Biwin’s new Mini SSD format. Although only slightly larger than a microSD card, the Mini SSD achieves read speeds of up to 3.7 GB/s, far outpacing microSD Express (900 MB/s). However, this format is currently proprietary to Biwin, and it remains unclear whether it will become a widespread standard in the future.
The emergence of the MSI Datamag USB4 shows that tech companies are entering a new competitive phase, where storage capacity and transfer speeds play an increasingly vital role, especially for content creators and gamers.
