News has emerged that Western Digital is stepping away from the SSD market to focus exclusively on producing HDDs for AI applications, signaling a significant shift in their strategy.
It appears the consumer storage market is facing some turbulence. Following Solidigm, Western Digital, a well-known name in SSD production, is also bowing out of the sector. As reported by TechSpot, the company will turn its attention to its core hard disk products, while its SSD division transitions to SanDisk. This change means that popular product lines like WD_BLACK will no longer carry the Western Digital branding and might be rebranded to SD_BLACK under SanDisk’s stewardship.
This move is certainly unexpected, especially for loyal customers who have relied on Western Digital SSDs. Known for their high-quality, lightning-fast drives alongside giants like Samsung and Crucial, the disappearance of WD’s branding in this area is surprising. However, fans of the products need not worry too much—SanDisk will now handle production, and the expectation is that the quality remains as robust as ever.
The exact reasons behind Western Digital’s decision aren’t completely clear yet, but there are hints. The company sees more potential in the HDD market, especially for the growing needs in AI infrastructures. Recently, CEO Irving Tan noted in a blog post that there’s an anticipated increase in HDD shipments fueled by market demand. Consequently, Western Digital is preparing to pivot its focus in line with these trends, especially as AI continues to be a major area of interest.
For everyday users, this transition under SanDisk will likely cover all aspects of the SSDs, from supply chain logistics to post-purchase support. Notably, we might see a shift in product names from “WD” to “SD,” marking a new chapter for these beloved products. In the end, Western Digital has undeniably made its mark in the SSD arena, and now it’s time to watch SanDisk carry the torch forward.
