Western Digital Exits SSD Market; SanDisk to Manage Current and Future Products

Western Digital has made a surprising move by stepping out of the SSD arena to focus entirely on hard disk drives (HDDs) tailored for artificial intelligence applications. This shift marks a noteworthy transition in their business strategy.

Western Digital has decided to hand over its SSD responsibilities to SanDisk. As such, popular product lines like WD_BLACK might soon carry a new moniker—SD_BLACK. The storage industry seems to be navigating a rough patch, especially in the consumer segment. In the wake of Solidigm’s similar move, Western Digital, another major player known for its high-performing SSDs, has chosen to pivot away from this sector. According to a TechSpot report, the company will now redirect its attention wholly to developing its native hard disk technology. While SanDisk will take the reins on SSD production, this means that Western Digital’s branding might no longer appear on these products.

This development might catch many customers off-guard, especially those who favored Western Digital’s SSD offerings for their speed and reliability. With Western Digital frequently being mentioned alongside industry giants like Samsung and Crucial, it’s surprising to see their brand depart from this market. However, despite the branding shift, the products will continue to be available, now under the SanDisk name, which suggests that the quality will likely remain on par.

The reasons steering Western Digital’s decision remain somewhat ambiguous, but they seem to be betting on a more promising future in the HDD domain, particularly for AI. Recently, WD CEO Irving Tan discussed in a blog post how HDD shipments are poised for growth, spurred by escalating demand driven by AI. The company is fully committing to serve these emerging needs, indicating a long break from SSD production as they ride the AI wave.

For everyday consumers, this transition to SanDisk should assure continuity with SSDs previously under WD, as SanDisk will manage everything from production logistics to after-market services. The products will experience a rebranding, switching from “WD” to “SD,” which adds an interesting twist to their identity. Even as Western Digital shifts focus, their impact on the SSD market hasn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated.