Lexar

Corporate brand

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Storage and memory brand known for flash memory cards, USB drives, card readers, SSDs, and computer memory.

Last updated August 21, 2026

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Overview

Lexar is an American storage and memory brand headquartered in San Jose, California. It was established in 1996 by Petro Estakhri and Mike Assar as a spin-off from Cirrus Logic, whose experience in ATA controller technology helped the new company develop controllers for flash-memory products. Lexar’s portfolio has included CompactFlash and Secure Digital cards, USB flash drives, card readers, solid-state drives, and later DRAM modules. The brand became particularly associated with removable storage for digital cameras, mobile devices, and personal computers. Its JumpDrive trademark was widely used for USB flash-drive products during the early expansion of that product category, and in some markets the name became closely associated with USB storage generally. Lexar also developed its own storage formats and product technologies, including USB FlashCard, a compact card-shaped device using a modified USB Type-A connector. The company published the USB FlashCard specifications in an open, royalty-free form to encourage adoption by other manufacturers. Lexar became involved in a major patent dispute with Toshiba in the early 2000s. In 2002, it sued Toshiba, alleging that Toshiba had copied Lexar NAND-flash technology. A California jury initially awarded Lexar $465 million in damages in 2005. The litigation was subsequently resolved after Micron Technology acquired Lexar and Toshiba agreed in 2006 to pay $288 million for certain Lexar patents and related rights, with the settlement covering the outstanding dispute. Micron Technology acquired Lexar in 2006 and operated the brand for more than a decade. During this period, Lexar continued selling removable storage and expanded commercial relationships, including an agreement with Eastman Kodak to develop and market Kodak-branded flash-memory products worldwide. In June 2017, Micron announced that it would discontinue its Lexar retail removable-media business and seek a buyer for part or all of the operation. On August 31, 2017, Shenzhen-based flash-memory company Longsys acquired the Lexar brand and trademark rights. Lexar re-entered the flash-storage market in 2018 under the new ownership. Subsequent product development included high-capacity SD cards, professional CFexpress and SD media, portable and internal SSDs, USB flash drives, and memory cards for cameras and mobile devices. In January 2019, the brand announced a 1 TB SD card. Later that year, it demonstrated a PCIe 4.0 SSD prototype with a claimed sequential speed of 7.5 GB/s. Lexar also introduced smaller-form-factor storage and expanded beyond removable flash media. In 2020, it released the nCARD, described as a very small memory-card format using technology associated with Yangtze Memory Technologies. In June of the same year, Lexar announced its entry into DRAM with DDR4-2666 memory kits for mainstream laptops and desktops, while outlining plans for faster modules and versions aimed at gaming and enthusiast systems. Today, Lexar operates as a Longsys-owned international brand serving consumer, professional imaging, mobile, gaming, and computing markets. Its positioning combines high-capacity and high-performance storage with products for everyday consumers and specialist users such as photographers, videographers, and PC enthusiasts.

History

Lexar was created in 1996 by Petro Estakhri and Mike Assar as a spin-off from Cirrus Logic. The new company drew on Cirrus Logic's ATA-controller expertise to design controllers for flash-memory products. Its early portfolio included removable media such as CompactFlash and SD cards, USB flash drives, and card readers. Lexar's JumpDrive trademark became strongly associated with USB flash drives during the technology's early consumer adoption. The company developed both products and storage-format concepts. In 2004 it announced USB FlashCard, a card-shaped flash device using a modified USB Type-A plug. The design was intended to combine the compactness of a memory card with direct USB connectivity, allowing compatible devices to access the card without a separate reader. Lexar published the format's specifications on an open and royalty-free basis in an effort to encourage wider adoption. Lexar's most consequential early corporate event was its dispute with Toshiba. In 2002, Lexar accused Toshiba of copying technology relating to NAND flash memory and began litigation. A California jury awarded Lexar $465 million in 2005, although Toshiba appealed. Micron Technology acquired Lexar in 2006. Later that year, Toshiba agreed to settle the remaining dispute by paying $288 million for specified Lexar patents and rights, ending the outstanding litigation. Under Micron, Lexar continued as a removable-storage brand and expanded commercial partnerships. In 2007, it extended an agreement with Eastman Kodak to develop and market Kodak-branded flash-memory products worldwide. Micron announced in June 2017 that it would discontinue the Lexar retail removable-media business and offer part or all of the operation for sale. Longsys acquired the Lexar brand and trademark rights on August 31, 2017. The brand returned to the flash-storage market in 2018. Its later development emphasized higher-capacity and higher-speed media for cameras, mobile devices, and computers. Announced products and demonstrations included a 1 TB SD card in 2019, a PCIe 4.0 SSD prototype with a claimed 7.5 GB/s speed, and the compact nCARD in 2020. Lexar also broadened its scope into DRAM, announcing DDR4-2666 modules for laptops and desktops and indicating plans for faster, heatsink-equipped, and RGB-lit products for gaming and enthusiast applications. Lexar remains an active Longsys-owned brand with a portfolio spanning removable flash media, USB storage, card readers, SSDs, and computer memory. Its market identity is built around capacity, transfer performance, and products for both general consumers and professional imaging and computing users.

2020
Lexar announces DRAM products
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
The brand expands into computer memory with DDR4-2666 kits for laptops and desktops.
2019
1 TB SD card is announced
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Lexar announces a high-capacity SD card aimed at demanding imaging and video applications.
2018
Lexar re-enters flash storage
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
The brand resumes market activity under Longsys ownership.
2017
Micron announces exit from Lexar retail removable media
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Micron says it will discontinue the retail removable-media business and seek a buyer.
2017
Longsys acquires Lexar brand rights
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Longsys acquires the Lexar brand and trademark rights from Micron.
2007
Kodak-branded flash-memory agreement is extended
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Lexar extends its relationship with Eastman Kodak for development and worldwide marketing of Kodak-branded flash products.
2006
Micron acquires Lexar
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Lexar becomes part of Micron Technology.
2006
Toshiba settlement resolves patent dispute
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Toshiba agrees to pay $288 million for specified Lexar patents and rights, resolving the outstanding litigation.
2005
Jury issues initial damages award in Toshiba case
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
A California jury initially awards Lexar $465 million in its technology dispute with Toshiba.
2004
USB FlashCard is announced
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Lexar introduces a compact card-shaped flash format with an integrated modified USB Type-A connector.
2002
Lexar begins litigation against Toshiba
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Lexar alleges that Toshiba copied technology associated with NAND flash memory.
1996
Lexar is founded as a Cirrus Logic spin-off
[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Petro Estakhri and Mike Assar establish Lexar as a company focused on flash-memory products and controllers.

Products and positioning

Mid-to-high-end storage and memory solutions for consumers, photographers, videographers, mobile-device users, gamers, and professional computing customers.

USB flash storage
JumpDrive USB flash drives
JumpDrive is Lexar's long-running USB flash-drive trademark and one of the names most closely associated with the brand. The products provide portable solid-state storage for transferring and carrying files between computers and other compatible devices. During the early adoption of USB flash drives, JumpDrive became sufficiently prominent that the name was sometimes used generically for the product category.
Removable flash storage
SD memory cards
Lexar SD cards serve cameras, camcorders, mobile devices, and general-purpose storage applications. The range has included high-capacity and high-speed cards designed for photography, high-resolution video, and other workloads where sustained write performance and dependable media handling are important. In 2019, Lexar announced an SD card with 1 TB of capacity.
Professional removable storage
CompactFlash and CFexpress cards
Lexar has produced CompactFlash media and later professional CFexpress products for cameras and other demanding imaging equipment. These formats are positioned for users who need high throughput, substantial capacity, and support for burst photography or high-bitrate video workflows.
Flash-memory format · 2004
USB FlashCard
USB FlashCard was a Lexar-developed memory-card format announced in 2004. It used a modified USB Type-A plug while keeping the card thinner than 4.5 millimeters. The concept combined direct USB connectivity with a card-like form factor, allowing compatible devices and computers to access the storage without a separate card reader. Lexar published the format specifications on an open, royalty-free basis.
Solid-state storage
Lexar SSDs
Lexar's SSD portfolio includes portable and internal solid-state drives for computers, gaming, content creation, and general storage. The brand has emphasized high transfer rates and modern interfaces, including a demonstrated PCIe 4.0 prototype in 2019 with a claimed speed of 7.5 GB/s.
Computer memory · 2020
DRAM memory modules
Lexar entered the DRAM market in 2020 with DDR4-2666 kits for mainstream laptops and desktop computers. The company also described plans for faster 3000 MHz and 3200 MHz modules and versions with heatsinks and RGB lighting intended for gamers and PC enthusiasts.
Compact removable storage · 2020
nCARD
nCARD is a compact Lexar memory-card product introduced in 2020. It was described as using Xtacking technology associated with Yangtze Memory Technologies and formed part of Lexar's effort to broaden its range of small removable flash-storage formats.

Controversies

2002
Toshiba NAND flash technology lawsuit
Lexar accused Toshiba of copying technology connected with NAND flash memory. The dispute produced an initial $465 million jury award in 2005 and was ultimately resolved in 2006 when Toshiba agreed to pay $288 million for specified Lexar patents and rights.
Source

2017
Micron exits the retail removable-media businessStrategy
Background
Micron announced that it would discontinue Lexar's retail removable-media storage business and seek a buyer for part or all of the operation.
Action taken
Micron put the relevant brand and business assets up for sale.
Aftermath
Longsys acquired the Lexar brand and trademark rights later in 2017, and Lexar returned to the flash-storage market in 2018.
Source
2017
Longsys acquires Lexar brand rightsM&A
Background
Following Micron's decision to discontinue the retail removable-media business, the Lexar brand became available for acquisition.
Action taken
Longsys acquired Lexar's brand and trademark rights on August 31, 2017.
Aftermath
Lexar resumed operations in flash storage under Longsys ownership and later expanded into SSDs and DRAM modules.
Source

Recent events

2020
Lexar introduces the nCARD[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Lexar released the nCARD, a compact memory-card product associated with Xtacking technology from Yangtze Memory Technologies.
2020
Lexar enters the DRAM memory market[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Lexar announced DDR4-2666 memory kits for mainstream laptops and desktops and described plans for faster and gaming-oriented modules.
2019
Lexar unveils a 1 TB SD card[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
Lexar announced an SD card with a storage capacity of 1 terabyte, targeting high-capacity photography and video workflows.
2019
Lexar demonstrates PCIe 4.0 SSD prototype[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
Lexar demonstrated a PCIe 4.0 solid-state-drive prototype with a claimed throughput of 7.5 GB/s.
2018
Lexar returns to the flash-storage market[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Lexar resumed activity in the flash-storage market following its acquisition by Longsys.
2017
Micron announces discontinuation of Lexar retail removable media[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Other
Micron announced that it would discontinue the Lexar retail removable-media storage business and seek a buyer for part or all of the operation.
2017
Longsys acquires Lexar brand rights[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
M&A
Shenzhen-based flash-memory company Longsys acquired the Lexar brand and trademark rights from Micron.
2007
Lexar extends Kodak flash-memory agreement[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
Other
Lexar extended an agreement with Eastman Kodak to develop and market Kodak-branded flash-memory products worldwide.
2006
Micron completes acquisition of Lexar[1]Lexaren.wikipedia.org
M&A
Micron Technology acquired Lexar, bringing the storage brand under the ownership of a major semiconductor company.

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