Storage

Minisforum showed off its new N5 MAX NAS at CES 2026, where we got some hands-on time with the new AMD Strix Halo APU-powered NAS. Check it out:

The new Minisforum N5 MAX takes up to 5 x M.2 SSDs and 5 x HDDs for a total of 40TB of SSD storage (5 x 8TB drives) and up to 150TB of HDD storage (5 x 30TB drives) for a grand total of 190TB of storage. It's powered by up to the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 "Strix Halo" APU, giving you 16 cores and 32 threads of power.

Not only do you have the 16C/32T of Zen 5 CPU power, but up to 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory. The M.2 SSD slots are split between 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4), 1 x M.2 2230/2280 (PCIe 4.0 x1), and 3 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x1). The other 5 slots can take 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch HDDs up to 30TB a drive.

Phison announced at CES 2026 that its flagship E28 controller will power new waves of Gen5 SSDs at a monster 8TB capacity, all enjoying 14.9GB/sec speeds.

The Phison PS5028-E28 supports up to 14.9GB/sec of sequential read speeds, up to 14GB/sec sequential writes, 2600K IOPS random read, and 3000K IOPS random write. Phison unveiled its new E37T Gen5 SSD controller at CES 2026, taking a different path: providing its kick ass performance (14.7GB/sec reads) with crazy power efficiency, and it'll be cheaper.

The new Phison E37T uses a higher-end DRAM-less design, with active power consumption below an uber-impressive 2.3W. The DRAM-less design allows for single-sided Gen5 SSDs that can push 14.7GB/sec without heating up too much, and the 2.3W power consumption will also keep down heat generation.

Phison unveiled its new PS5037-E37T Gen5 SSD controller at CES 2026, with the new offering designed to be more cost-effective, sporting a DRAM-less design. Check it out:

The company says it built the new PS5037-E37T Gen5 SSD controller with 3D NAND to deliver competitive price-to-performance value for customers. Phison says that its new E37T has core architecture refinements over previous generations to support the latest 3D NAND with up to 4800 MT/s speeds, resulting in 38% more performance for maximum value.

Phison's new E37T controller features a DRAM-less design and 4 channels, meaning it's a glorious single-sided SSD that is designed for laptops, gaming handhelds, and small systems without needing additional cooling as there's only one side of chips, the other side doesn't get hot at all.

MSI unveiled its new flagship SPATIUM M571 DLP SSD at CES 2026, powered by the Phison E28 Gen5 SSD controller, and pushes up to 14GB/sec reads.

The new SPATIUM M571 DLP SSD is based on the Phison E28 Gen5 SSD controller, which is fabbed at TSMC on its 6nm process node, with MSI claiming power consumption is lowered by up to 50% while incorporating MSI's in-house Data Loss Protection (DLP) technology, securing critical data during unexpected disruptions to power.

The new MSI SPATIUM M571 DLP SSD will come in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, with a launch in the coming months, while pricing is unknown at the moment.

At CES 2026, Sandisk unveiled its new Sandisk Optimus line of SSDs for consumers. Well, new in the sense that Sandisk Optimus is the new name for the popular SSDs formerly known as WD Blue and WD_BLACK under Western Digital.

The Sandisk Optimus GX line-up represents high-performance SSDs for PC gamers that were previously found under the WD_BLACK brand, such as the WD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD.

The flagship Sandisk Optimus GX PRO line is all about the best of the best and cutting-edge PCIe Gen5 speeds. Built for gamers, creators, and professionals, the Sandisk Optimus GX PRO line includes the lightning-fast WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD released in 2025.

As the inventor of flash memory and a leader in memory and storage, KIOXIA is bringing its extensive lineup of memory and SSD solutions to CES 2026 in Las Vegas. KIOXIA notes that its lineup covers all corners of the technology market, from intensive AI workloads through to large-scale data centers, automotive systems, and mobile devices.

At CES 2026, KIOXIA will showcase its products and demonstrate its technology. This includes a first-hand look at how the company's groundbreaking, scalable BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology delivers performance, density, and power efficiency across workloads and requirements.

KIOXIA will also showcase how its innovative SSDs leverage open-source software it helped develop to optimize and accelerate AI applications and workloads. Plus, there'll be a closer look at its high-speed Automotive UFS 4.1 solution, alongside the recently announced BG7 Series of NVMe SSDs aimed at the consumer PC OEM market.

KIOXIA, one of the leaders in flash memory and SSD solutions, has announced its first client- and consumer-focused SSDs powered by its latest BiCS FLASH Gen 8 3D flash memory technology at CES 2026. With CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology, the new PCIe Gen 4 BG7 Series is all about performance and efficiency for consumer and commercial laptops, notebooks, desktops, and OEMs.

With sequential read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and up to 1,000,000 IOPS for random read/write, KIOXIA notes that the new BG7 Series of SSDs delivers up to 16% more performance and around 67% better power efficiency than the BG6 Series. This is all thanks to BiCS FLASH Gen 8 3D flash memory with CBA technology.

With NVMe 2.0d compliance and capabilities, the versatile, DRAM-less BG7 Series includes models in the existing 2230 and 2280 form factors, as well as the new Type 2242 form factor.

We've seen multiple PCIe NVMe SSDs connected on a card connected via a traditional x16 host interface. Microchip Technology's impressive Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 Series RAID storage accelerator card is a little different. The Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 accelerator not only supports up to 32 NVMe SSDs but also provides each drive with a direct channel to the CPU.

This means there aren't any bottlenecks, and each SSD can operate at peak performance, delivering fantastic throughput and IOPS for data-intensive enterprise applications. And today we've got word that KIOXIA SSDs are now compatible with and supported by the Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 Series RAID storage accelerator card.

The verified and compatible list includes KIOXIA's CM7 Series and CD8P Series of data center storage, which are PCIe 5.0- and NVMe 2.0-compliant, as well as KIOXIA's CD8 Series of PCIe 4.0 SSDs.

Earlier this year, KIOXIA introduced the world's first compact 250TB NVMe SSD with its new LC9 Series. As a storage solution that conforms to the 2.5-inch datacenter form-factor standard, KIOXIA achieved this thanks to its 8th Gen BiCS FLASH with CBA (CMOS Directly Bonded to Array) technology. Basically, this means you're getting 32 2-Terabit (Tb) dies stacked together in a way that hasn't been seen before.

Throw in PCIe Gen 5 speeds, and you only need a handful of these SSDs to have a whopping 1 Petabyte of data. This is how one of the latest videos on the popular YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips begins. Even though we were aware of KIOXIA's LC9 Series of SSDs and the underlying technology, seeing how an SSD like this is made and the sheer amount of cutting-edge technology and impressive engineering that go into it is something else.

With access to KIOXIA's massive Yokkaichi plant in Japan, Linus Sebastian presents an informative and entertaining look at how silicon is transformed into flash memory chips that power SSDs and the everyday tech we use, like smartphones.

Samsung has denied the recent rumors that it was planning to phase out its SATA SSDs, which hopefully makes consumers feel a little bit better in this topsy-turvy world of skyrocketing RAM and SSD prices.

In an exclusive statement with our friends over at Wccftech, a Samsung representative said: "the rumor regarding the phasing out of Samsung SATA or other SSDs is false".

As one of the largest NAND producers on the planet, it makes Samsung one of the biggest SSD supply chain champions, so the rumors that it was halting its SATA SSD production had some people very concerned, and rightfully so.

Well, this won't end well... HDD prices are rocketing upwards, with prices on mechanical HDDs rising the highest they've been in the last 2 years.

According to new reports from Nikkei, the demand for HDDs is through the roof, with contract HDD prices rising 4% quarter-over-quarter, the highest figure in the last 8 quarters (two years). The demand is coming mostly from large-scale data center build outs across the planet, with HDD requirements used more in US-based facilities.

AI needs as much data as it can get, with cloud service providers (CSPs) using HDDs the most, as they're the most cost-effective and efficient medium for storage.

Samsung is reportedly halting SATA SSD production in 2026, with the company to announce the news in January 2026, most likely at CES 2026 or shortly after.

In a new video from leaker Moore's Law is Dead, we're to expect that Samsung's long-term exit from SATA SSD production is coming in January. MLID warns that Samsung diving out of the SATA SSD business could tighten supply and jack up the prices of SSD storage across the board in the months ahead, on top of all of the skyrocketing prices of RAM right now.

MLID notes that Samsung SSDs make up a huge amount of Amazon's top-selling SSDs with around 20% of them being SATA-based, and Samsung takes up a considerable portion of that. Samsung removing itself from the market would reduce overall SSD availability, which would put pressure on the pricing of both SATA and M.2 NVMe SSD drives... oh yay.

The new Biwin CL100 might look like a microSD card, but it's actually a Mini SSD with read speeds of up to 3,700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 3,400 MB/s. Biwin CL100 Mini SSDs feature compact dimensions of 15.0 x 17.0 x 1.4 mm, with advanced LGA packaging technology, making this brand-new coin-sized storage option considerably faster than even the new microSD Express format, which tops out at 985 MB/s.

Biwin's CL100 Mini SSDs are PCIe 4.0 x2 and NVMe 1.4-compliant, available in three capacities: 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Prices start at around $85 USD and go up to over $300 USD for the 2TB model (via retailer JD.com). As a new storage format compatible with laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, Biwin CL100 Mini SSDs are launching alongside the portable and compact Biwin Mini SSD Reader RD510 for plug-and-play compatibility.

Biwin says that its new Mini SSDs were designed for ultra-thin laptops, handheld gaming devices, and mini PCs, offering a microSD-sized storage expansion option that delivers ultra-fast performance.

KIOXIA's open-source AiSAQ is a game-changer as it offers an all-in-storage solution for AI by offloading vectors in large datasets from DRAM to SSD storage. Coupled with KIOXIA's Memory-Centric AI technology that stores AI training data on external storage, you've got AI-driven image recognition technology that could transform logistics.

In partnership with Tsubakimoto Chain Co. (Tsubakimoto Chain) and EAGLYS Inc. (EAGLYS), KIOXIA's AI image recognition technology can automatically identify products moving through complex logistics workflows. Designed for the growing e-commerce market, which sees large logistics networks handling higher volumes and a wider range of products, this scalable technology enables organizations to adapt to changing conditions while focusing on efficiency, cost management, and quality.

How it differs from traditional AI image recognition is simple. Those systems require tuning or even retraining for new products, including seasonal items, whereas KIOXIA AiSAQ and Memory-Centric AI store all new product data in high-capacity storage for quick retrieval, without the need to retrain the base model.

Samsung has reportedly reached a technological achievement with its next-gen NAND flash storage, which lowers power consumption by an incredible 96% compared to NAND flash inside of devices today.

NAND flash storage is used inside of a multitude of things and it isn't slowing down, with NAND used in AI data centers, smartphones, and a bunch of other technology devices used today. NAND flash power consumption continues to increase with each iteration, but Samsung's new NAND flash storage is the future with incredible power efficiency.

In a new paper co-authored by 34 researchers titled "Ferroelectric Transistor for Low-Power NAND Flash Memory" which was published in the Nature academic journal, the research started over oxide semiconductors, with Korean outlet SEDaily reporting that these were "unsustainable" for high-performance chips because of their high threshold voltage.

According to Phison CEO Khein-Seng Pua, the severe shortage of NAND flash storage and SSDs has led to prices for TLC 1-terabit NAND doubling in the past six months from $4.80 USD to $10.70 USD. According to Phison's latest financial earnings, the company's October 2025 revenue increased by an impressive 90% year-over-year, driven by a substantial 280% rise in PCIe SSD controller shipments.

As we previously reported, this demand is driven by the AI boom, which is causing the industry as a whole to shift away from traditional hard-disk drives (HDDs) to faster solid-state drives (SSDs). Not to mention the expansion and creation of new data centers and hyperscale systems designed with AI performance and flash memory in mind.

Phison CEO Khein-Seng Pua previously stated that this demand could lead to a major issue with the supply of flash memory and SSDs, which could persist for at least a decade. His most recent comments reinforce this idea, with Khein-Seng Pua warning that new production capacity being built to handle the increased demand won't be online and operational until late 2027.

Samsung will be showing off its newest LPDDR6 memory and PM9E1 Gen5 SSD solutions at CES 2026, which is right around the corner.

CES 2026 isn't far away now, with the organization announcing some of its Innovation Awards for 2026, and two of them are from Samsung. These include the new LPDDR6 memory and PM9E1 Gen5 SSD, which Samsung will be showcasing at CES 2026 in January.

Samsung's new LPDDR6 memory will be using its in-house 12nm process node for LPDDR6, with speeds of up to 10.7Gbps, as well as 21% higher efficiency than LPDDR5 memory products. Right now, Samsung's current LPDDR5X is the fastest DRAM solution offered by the company, but LPDDR6 will bump things up with 11.5% higher transfer speeds, and more.

Sandisk's new Extreme Fit USB-C flash drives are compact, measuring 18.50 x 15.70 x 13.60mm and weighing just 3 grams. Small enough to plug into a laptop with no overhang, Sandisk's Extreme Fit flash drives have the look of a small wireless dongle (or button) with a reflective finish to make it stand out. Available in the standard capacities of 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, there's also a 1TB option, which is massive for a flash drive.

In fact, this makes the Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive - 1TB model the smallest 1TB flash drive on the market, and with a price of $119.99 USD, it also won't break the bank. For those looking for some sizable and portable storage, you'd be hard-pressed to find something this compact. Naturally, you won't achieve SSD-like speeds, but the 400 MB/s read speeds align with the USB 3.2 Gen 1 specifications.

Like all flash drives, this makes it better suited for storing documents, photos, and videos, freeing up space on your local machine. Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drives are compatible with a range of USB-C devices, allowing you to connect them to laptops, PCs, tablets, and other devices running Windows, macOS, or iPadOS that support USB-C storage.

We reviewed the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 SSD earlier this year, where it earned an Editor's Choice award for being a "single-sided masterpiece of PCIe Gen5 engineering and a gaming juggernaut." And as the company's first consumer PCIe Gen5 SSD, the company knocked it out of the park with its pairing of Silicon Motion's SM2508 controller and KIOXIA's 3,600 MT BiCS 8 flash technology.

In terms of pure performance, it hit the advertised sequential read and write speeds of 14,800 and 14,000 MB/s, respectively. And even though the PS5 console is limited to PCIe Gen4 storage, the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 SSD also delivered one of the fastest recorded speeds on the PS5 we've seen to date.

And with our review and testing focused on the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 4TB SSD, the largest capacity model available at the time, it's great to see that Kingston has just released an 8TB model. This makes it perfect for enthusiasts, creators, and gamers with large libraries.

PNY's new CS3250 M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen5 x4 SSD not only delivers cutting-edge Gen5 speeds across its 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, but also offers an affordable price point. With impressive sequential read and write speeds of 14,900 MB/s and 14,000 MB/s, respectively, the 1TB is available now for $125.99 USD, with the 2TB model priced at $219.99 USD.

PNY notes that the 4TB version is "coming soon," so we'll have to wait and see what the pricing is for the larger capacity variant. That said, it's great to know that we're now in the era where high-speed enthusiast-grade PCIe Gen5 storage is becoming increasingly affordable. And with that, PNY notes that the CS3250 is designed for AI applications, content creation tools, and PC gaming.

The PNY CS3250 M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen5 is also a modern Gen5 SSD that doesn't require active cooling, thanks to its "advanced thermal-coated controller," which helps keep operating temperatures down and extends the SSD's lifespan.