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TIME named BIWIN’s Mini SSD to its Best Inventions of 2025 list on October 9, 2025. The drive puts up to 2TB of NVMe storage in a 15 × 17 × 1.4 mm package—roughly the footprint of a micro-SIM card—with manufacturer-rated sequential speeds of up to 3,700 MB/s read and 3,400 MB/s write. Its small format is the innovation, but it only works in devices designed for a compatible Mini SSD slot.
What the BIWIN Mini SSD is
The BIWIN Mini SSD is a removable PCIe Gen4x2 NVMe drive for compact electronics. BIWIN positions it between slower embedded storage and larger M.2 modules, targeting handheld gaming consoles, ultrabooks, tablets, smart cameras, edge-AI hardware, AI PCs and mini PCs.
Its maximum dimensions are 15.00 × 17.00 × 1.40 mm. That is substantially smaller than common M.2 2230 modules and explains the micro-SIM comparison used by TIME. The drive uses 3D TLC NAND and a DRAM-less controller with NVMe 1.4.
Why TIME selected it
TIME’s October 9, 2025 profile lists the BIWIN Mini SSD among 300 inventions in its 2025 selection. TIME says editors and correspondents judged entries on originality, efficacy, ambition and impact. The honor is an editorial recognition of the product’s compact, high-performance design; it is not an independent laboratory benchmark or a promise of compatibility with every handheld or mini PC.
#1 Best Overall
- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
TIME described the device as an NVMe drive that “crams up to 2TB of storage into an NVMe drive the size of a micro-SIM card.” Will Lin, BIWIN’s Director of Storage Technology USA, said the company brought “SSD speed and performance down to the size of a coin.”
BIWIN Mini SSD specifications
| Specification | BIWIN-published value |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4x2 |
| Protocol | NVMe 1.4 |
| NAND | 3D TLC |
| Form factor | 15.00 × 17.00 × 1.40 mm maximum |
| Capacities | 512GB, 1TB and 2TB |
| Sequential read | Up to 3,700 MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 3,400 MB/s |
| Random read | Up to 550K IOPS |
| Random write | Up to 650K IOPS |
| Operating temperature | 0°C to +70°C |
| Storage temperature | −40°C to +85°C |
| Idle power | Up to 60 mW |
| Low-power PS4 consumption | 6 mW |
| MTBF | 1,500,000 hours |
Every speed and power figure above is a manufacturer specification. “Up to” results depend on the host device, workload, firmware, capacity and thermal conditions; they should not be treated as guaranteed sustained performance.
How fast is it in practical terms?
The Gen4x2 link and quoted 3,700 MB/s read rate place the Mini SSD in the performance class of modern PCIe NVMe storage rather than ordinary flash cards or soldered eMMC. The 3,400 MB/s write rating can benefit game installs, large file transfers and application loading when the host exposes the required PCIe lanes.
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- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
BIWIN also lists random performance of up to 550K IOPS read and 650K IOPS write. Random I/O matters more than sequential throughput for many small-file and operating-system tasks, but the specification does not establish an independent workload result. No independent sustained-write, endurance or thermal test is established for this product.
Will it fit a handheld or mini PC?
Only if the device has a Mini SSD socket with matching mechanical dimensions, PCIe wiring and firmware support. A drive that is physically small enough may still be electrically or mechanically incompatible.
Check these requirements before buying
- Slot type: Confirm that the manufacturer specifies a BIWIN-style Mini SSD slot, not merely “M.2” or a microSD slot.
- Electrical interface: Verify PCIe Gen4x2 or a compatible PCIe/NVMe implementation. A host with fewer lanes may work at reduced capability, while a non-NVMe slot will not.
- Clearance: Compare the device’s permitted length, width, thickness and screw or retention method with 15 × 17 × 1.4 mm.
- Firmware support: Check the device maker’s storage list and BIOS or operating-system requirements.
- Thermals: Make sure the enclosure provides the cooling expected for the host’s sustained workload.
TIME reported that GPD has publicly said it already uses the BIWIN Mini SSD. That demonstrates one device ecosystem example, not a universal compatibility guarantee. BIWIN also names handheld consoles, mini PCs, ultrabooks, tablets, cameras and edge-AI systems as target categories, but those categories contain many incompatible designs.
Rank #3
Which capacities and edition are available?
| Capacity | What is established |
|---|---|
| 512GB | Listed in BIWIN’s 2025 specification sheet |
| 1TB | Listed in the specification sheet; the consumer CL100 is identified as a Mini SSD edition |
| 2TB | Listed in the specification sheet and reported by TIME as the maximum capacity |
The CL100 is BIWIN’s consumer Mini SSD family. Confirm the exact capacity, connector, included hardware and regional stock on the seller’s current listing before ordering. Street pricing, seller authorization and inventory are not established here.
Mini SSD versus other compact storage
The meaningful comparison is not just advertised speed. Evaluate the following for the specific device:
- Footprint and slot: Mini SSD, M.2 2230, microSD Express and soldered storage use different connectors and mounting arrangements.
- Performance: Compare sequential and random ratings, while checking whether the host supplies the necessary PCIe lanes.
- Capacity: BIWIN lists 512GB, 1TB and 2TB; another format may offer different capacities.
- Power and heat: Compact handhelds and cameras may limit sustained performance to preserve battery life and temperatures.
- Serviceability: A socketed Mini SSD can be replaced or upgraded when the device permits access; embedded storage generally cannot.
- Ecosystem: M.2 and microSD have broader accessory availability, while Mini SSD readers and enclosures may be more specialized.
- Price and availability: These vary by region and seller and must be checked at purchase time.
There is no complete cross-product benchmark or universal compatibility table establishing that the BIWIN drive is faster or better in every device.
Who should consider it?
Good candidates
- Owners of a handheld or mini PC whose documentation explicitly supports this Mini SSD format.
- Designers of space-constrained products that need socketed NVMe storage rather than soldered flash.
- Users who need more capacity than embedded storage provides and can verify the host’s PCIe and mechanical requirements.
Cases requiring caution
- Devices that only advertise a generic M.2 slot without stating the Mini SSD dimensions.
- Systems limited to SATA, eMMC, UFS or microSD interfaces.
- Enclosures with little thermal headroom or no accessible retention hardware.
- Buyers choosing solely on the TIME label or peak speed figures without checking the device manual.
How to verify compatibility before installation
- Find the exact device model and revision, then read its service manual or storage specification.
- Confirm the slot’s connector, lane configuration and supported NVMe generations.
- Measure or verify the permitted 15 × 17 × 1.4 mm envelope and mounting point.
- Check whether the device firmware recognizes a replacement drive and whether an operating-system reinstall or cloning process is required.
- After installation, confirm that the operating system reports the expected capacity and NVMe link before transferring important data.
What the TIME award does—and does not—mean
The award validates the Mini SSD as a notable design in TIME’s 2025 editorial selection. It does not certify endurance, establish a street price, replace a device maker’s compatibility list or guarantee the published peak rates in every workload. Treat BIWIN’s specification sheet as the source for the numerical ratings and TIME’s profile as the source for the award and product description.
Quick Recap
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