Lexar has introduced the D70E, a portable storage device in a thumb drive form factor that the company markets as an external SSD. The device measures 79.6 × 30.2 × 7.8 millimeters and weighs 55 grams, and the American company states is compatible with Windows and macOS computers, Android devices, and USB-C iPhones and iPads. Cameras and camcorders are not listed among compatible devices.

That last point is relevant for photographers and videographers considering this type of storage: thumb drives indeed differ from conventional portable SSDs in both component quality and thermal design; they are not built to sustain the continuous write loads required for direct video recording or repeated high-frequency access, and they lack the thermal management that prevents speed throttling under sustained use. Using the D70E as a working drive — for editing or recording directly — carries meaningful risk of data loss or drive failure. The more appropriate use case is file delivery: physically transporting large quantities of data to a client or between locations, where the drive’s compact size and dual connectivity offer practical advantages without exposing it to sustained workloads.

The unit features built-in USB-C and USB-A connectors at either end, both protected by retractable port covers integrated into the metal housing. A lanyard loop is also included.

On the USB-C side, the D70E operates on the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard, with claimed sequential read speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s. Write speeds vary by capacity: the 1TB and 2TB models are rated at up to 1,800 MB/s, while the 512GB version is limited to 1,300 MB/s. The USB-A connector runs on USB 3.2 Gen 2, with read speeds capped at 1,000 MB/s and write speeds at 900 MB/s across all capacities. It is worth noting that reaching the maximum USB-C speeds requires a host device that specifically supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 — a standard not supported by Apple’s current Mac lineup, which will default to 10Gbps throughput even via USB-C.