SanDisk’s ultra-tiny USB flash drive is built to stay plugged in
SanDisk takes the world’s “smallest” USB flash drive, gives it a USB-C connector, and… that’s it. In fact, it’s small enough that this “removable” drive doesn’t need to be removed, the company said.
Officially, SanDisk will launch the drive next Tuesday, and a representative at the Pepcom Holiday Spectacular 2025 did not identify the model name. The company already introduced what it called the world’s smallest USB flash drive at CES 2018, called Ultra Fit. At this show, it came with a USB-A connector, but also showed a prototype USB-C device.
Regardless, the new USB stick is perpendicular to the connector, unlike other USB sticks of the past. It will come with SanDisk’s Memory Zone backup software.
On the other hand, the chunky, almost flush form factor means SanDisk doesn’t really think users will actually remove the removable drive. “It doesn’t interrupt your daily lifestyle when you’re on the move,” said a rep named Allison.
Pepcom / SanDisk
“It’s a really good drive that plugs in, stays in place and then lives with you, so you never have to take it out,” Allison said.
Most USB drives are large enough that this isn’t supposed to happen. Leave a drive inserted and you risk having it ripped out by your bag, backpack, or purse. Apparently SanDisk thinks those days are over.
The USB-C connector means that the new USB drive could be used on laptops as well as smartphones, since both devices now share common USB-C interfaces. Still, the USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface results in an I/O speed of just 5Gbps, which is slower than the normal 10Gbps interface on most laptops.
The new SanDisk drive will range in capacity from 64 GB for $14.99 to 1 terabyte for $109.99 and will be available on Amazon on November 4.
