Western Digital Exits SSD Market; SanDisk Takes Over Current and Future Products

Western Digital, a name long synonymous with high-quality SSDs, is stepping out of the solid-state drive arena to concentrate solely on creating HDDs for AI applications. This move signals the end of an era for many loyal users of their SSD products.

In a significant industry shift, Western Digital is passing the torch of its SSD operations over to SanDisk. The popular WD_BLACK series, and others, will now be under SanDisk’s umbrella and could see a rebranding to something like SD_BLACK. While unexpected, this change doesn’t spell the end for WD’s SSDs; they’re just getting a new label as SanDisk steps in to oversee their production.

For those who’ve trusted Western Digital alongside other giants like Samsung and Crucial, the news might come as a shock. The brand has been known for delivering some of the fastest SSDs on the market. Although the original WD logo may fade, the quality should remain intact with SanDisk at the helm.

Speculation about Western Digital’s decision is still in the air, but some insights point to a strategic pivot towards HDDs, especially those essential for AI-related demands. CEO Irving Tan highlighted in a recent blog post that there’s a promising future for HDD shipments, driven by this burgeoning sector. So, for now, it looks like Western Digital’s SSD presence will take a backseat to accommodate the AI surge.

As SanDisk takes over, consumers can still expect reliable service and support, akin to what they’re used to with Western Digital. The only notable difference will be the shift in branding—from “WD” to “SD”—adding a fresh twist to an otherwise familiar product line. It’s a fitting moment to acknowledge that Western Digital has indeed made a remarkable contribution to the storage industry.