Western Digital Unveils World’s Largest Capacity ePMR HDDs to Address Rising Nearline Demand

Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) continues to push the boundaries of storage innovation with the release of the world’s highest-capacity energy-assisted PMR (ePMR) hard drives. The new lineup includes the UltraSMR HDD, offering up to 32TB capacity, and the ePMR CMR HDD, with a maximum of 26TB. These new drives are designed for hyperscalers, cloud service providers (CSPs), and enterprises looking to future-proof their data infrastructure while optimizing total cost of ownership (TCO).

As businesses across the globe increasingly rely on data-driven strategies, Western Digital’s innovation serves as a key enabler, allowing organizations to manage data efficiently, reduce TCO, and enhance storage scalability. With an emphasis on both capacity and reliability, these new drives bring advancements that help businesses navigate the demands of modern data environments.

“We are proud to introduce our industry-leading 11-disk platform, which demonstrates Western Digital’s commitment to providing superior storage solutions with cutting-edge capacity, performance, and efficiency,” said John Chen, Vice President at TRENDFOCUS.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and large-scale data centers has driven the need for scalable, high-performance storage. Western Digital’s latest innovations reflect this shift, addressing the critical need for efficient data handling and long-term data preservation. HDDs, especially those used in AI data cycles, are vital for managing both input and output operations in AI systems, where vast amounts of data are generated and processed.

Western Digital’s 26TB CMR and 32TB UltraSMR drives are designed to maximize storage efficiency through a combination of technologies, including OptiNAND™, ArmorCache™, and a triple-stage actuator (TSA). These innovations, coupled with the world’s first commercially available 11-disk platform, ensure that businesses can efficiently handle today’s most demanding workloads.

Key Product Highlights:

  • 32TB Ultrastar® DC HC690 UltraSMR HDD: Now shipping, these drives offer up to 32TB of capacity and are optimized for cost-effective deep content storage at scale. They provide sequential performance of up to 257 MiB/s and consume as little as 5.5W in idle mode, making them ideal for warm and cold data storage tiers.
  • 26TB Ultrastar® DC HC590 CMR HDD: This drive provides the highest available CMR capacity and serves as a reliable, drop-in solution for enterprises looking to expand storage capacity seamlessly. It delivers a sustained transfer rate of up to 288 MiB/s and operates with power consumption as low as 5.6W when idle.
  • Ultrastar Data60 and Data102 Hybrid Storage Platforms: These high-density storage platforms integrate the new 26TB and 32TB drives, offering scalable storage solutions that are ideal for modern data centers and private clouds. With configurations that accommodate up to 60 or 102 drives, the platforms can deliver up to 3.26PB of raw capacity. Built-in technologies like IsoVibe™ and ArcticFlow™ optimize vibration control and cooling, ensuring better performance and reliability.
  • WD Gold® 26TB SATA HDDs: Specifically tailored for system integrators and resellers, these drives offer a high-capacity solution for enterprise and commercial environments, incorporating the latest Ultrastar HDD innovations. With a five-year warranty and up to 2.5M hours MTBF, they deliver unmatched reliability and performance for demanding workloads.

Looking Ahead:

“The growing demand for AI, edge computing, and large-scale data centers places significant importance on storage solutions that offer maximum capacity, reliability, and low power consumption,” said Ravi Pendekanti, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Western Digital. “Our breakthrough in ePMR technology not only sets new records but provides our customers with efficiency, scalability, and unmatched value as they move forward.”

With advancements in storage technology, Western Digital continues to lead the industry, helping enterprises stay competitive in a data-driven world. The company’s focus on delivering high-capacity, energy-efficient, and reliable HDD solutions solidifies its commitment to driving the future of data storage.


About Western Digital:

Western Digital is a global leader in data storage, offering innovative solutions to help businesses and individuals harness the full potential of their data. With a wide range of products, including HDDs, SSDs, and cloud storage solutions, Western Digital is committed to transforming the way the world stores, accesses, and shares data. Learn more about Western Digital and its brands, including WD®, SanDisk®, and Western Digital®, at www.westerndigital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Western Digital’s future products and market trends. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed. Please refer to Western Digital’s filings with the SEC for additional information regarding these risks.

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