The new Lexar Play-X SSD in a high performance PCIe 4.0 module designed for performance gaming and intensive video editing.LEXARThe solid state storage market is in turmoil right now. Massive demand for HBM and LPDDR memory modules used in the AI data centers that are springing up around the world has impacted the supply and pricing of DRAM used in consumer storage devices like SSDs.Storage prices for some memory products have doubled, so if you are looking to buy more storage, it makes sense to opt for a premium brand because the cheaper brands are no longer a bargain and the premium SSD products usually offer faster speeds and higher levels of reliability. A case in point is the newly announced Lexar Play-X SSD. Designed specifically for gamers and content creators working with video or 3D, the new Play-X is a powerful SSD with a PCIe Gen4x4 interface and an integrated package module for more durability and offers speeds up to a blistering 7400MB/s read and 6500MB/s write. The result is an SSD made for uncompromised performance and in a compact form factor. With its M.2230 form factor, the new Lexar Play-X SSD is designed for high-performance portable devices.LEXARUp to 2TBThe new Lexar Play-X SSDs are available in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. Lexar claims it’s the fastest 2030/2230 SSD currently on the market. The 2230 form factor is the smallest size of all the M.2 SSDs and it can slot into mini-PCs, laptops and handheld gaming consoles. However, it also fits full-size 2280 bays by using the supplied adapter. Play Puzzles & Games on ForbesJust because an SSD is rated with super-fast speeds, it doesn’t necessarily follow that it will perform at those peak speeds, especially if it’s housed in an SSD enclosure that tops out at 1,000MB/s.To get the best from a fast SSD used in an enclosure, you need something like the new Satechi DotDiskThunderbolt/USB4 enclosure, which has a rated speed of up to 80Gbps. That’s enough bandwidth to give the Play-X the chance to reach its full potential.The Play-X SSD from Lexar comes with a full-size M.2280 adaptor so it can fit enclosures and motherboards with those bays.LEXARFast PerformanceTo measure what the Lexar Play-X is capable of, I installed a 1TB Play-X module into a Satechi DotDisk enclosure and then plugged it into my Mac mini M4 via a Thunderbolt 4 cable. I tested the speed using Black Magic Speedtest. The test returned results of 2,763MB/s read and 3,046 MB/s write speed. Those are the kind of speeds you can expect to see from the main internal SSD slots. This means the Play-X SSD is not only fast enough to play the highest-performance games, but it’s fast enough for editing 4K video files directly. Having this flexibility is important if you use a Mac with Thunderbolt ports, because you can achieve speeds with an external SSD that almost match the performance of the main SSD. That’s handy when you consider how much Apple charges for its storage. The Lexar Play-X includes an integrated package module designed to be extra durable and stable under load. It also offers safeguards against hardware stress that can result from hours spent gaming or editing video content.The Lexar Play-X can be used in gaming consoles. LEXARUltra-Portable SSDWith rated speeds of up to 7,400MB/s read and 6,500MB/s, users can expect virtually instant load times, exceptionally fast file transfers as well as smoother video editing. The compact 2030 form of the SSD factor means the Play-X is suitable for installation in ultra-portable tech gear and provides peak performance for space-restricted systems.The new Lexar Play-X SSD also supports Host Memory Buffer and Single-Level Cell caching, technologies which can speed up data transfers and reduce latency, resulting in improved performance, faster game load times as well as an overall snappier feel when in use.As well as featuring an industry-first integrated packaging design for durability, the Lexar Play-X has an IP57 dust and water-resistant rating, plus it is rated with superior shock and vibration resistance.Pricing and Availability:The Lexar Play-X SSD will be available from the end of June 2026 with guide prices of £119.99 / €129.19 for the 512GB module and £219.99 / €259.99 for the 1TB module via Amazon and other outlets. Lexar has not confirmed whether the Play-X will be sold in the U.S. market. Tech Specs:Capacities: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB. Form factor: M.2 2030, M.2 2230, M.2 2280. Interface: PCIe Gen4x4. Sequential read speed: Up to 7,200MB/s with a random read speed of 4,500MB/s, random read up to 900K IOPs and random write up to 900K IKOPsOperating temperature: 0° to 70°C (32°F to 158°F). Shock resistant: 1500G, duration 0.5ms, Half Sine Wave. MTBF: 1,500,000 hours. Dimensions (W x L x H): 80 x 22 x 2.45mm. Weight: 9.5g. Warranty: Five-year limited.