Western Digital Unveils 4 TB SD Card: Unprecedented Storage Capacity

Western Digital's 4 TB SD card, set to release in 2025, boasts impressive storage capacity, high-speed performance, and potential support for off-spec DDR208 mode, generating excitement in the industry.

storage capacity of 4 TB
High-speed performance with a maximum data transfer rate of 104 MB/s
Potential support for off-spec DDR208 mode for even faster transfer rates

Western Digital is stirring up the industry with its latest innovation – a preview of the world’s first 4 TB SD card. Launched at the NAB trade show, this device is set to hit the market in 2025.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro SDUC 4 TB SD card from Western Digital adheres to the Secure Digital Ultra Capacity standard (SDUC), which allows for a whopping 128TB of storage. With its Ultra High Speed-I (UHS-I) interface and speed Class 10 rating, this card boasts a minimum speed of 10 MB/s and a maximum data transfer rate of 104 MB/s when operating in UHS104 (SDR104) mode. It’s worth noting that there is a caveat regarding performance, but we’ll delve into that later.

Designed to meet Video Speed Class V30 requirements, Western Digital’s SD card ensures a minimum sequential write speed of 30 MB/s. This makes it more than capable of handling 8K video recording, surpassing the demands of the 4K video market that Western Digital primarily targets with this upcoming release.

While Western Digital has not disclosed the specific NAND technology used in the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDUC 4 TB SD card, it’s reasonable to speculate that this product may be one of the first to feature their anticipated BiCS 9 NAND. With its high capacity and distant release date, it seems like a strategic move for Western Digital.

Although not explicitly mentioned in the official press release, it would be surprising if the forthcoming card did not support the off-spec DDR200/DDR208 mode. This mode allows for higher transfer rates than the UHS-I standard typically permits, thanks to double data rate signaling. Western Digital’s current-generation SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC 1 TB SD card already supports this mode, achieving impressive read speeds of up to 170 MB/s. It would be unexpected for the company to abandon this feature in their newer products. However, it’s important to note that DDR208 is a proprietary mode that requires a compatible host for optimal utilization.

As for the price of Western Digital’s SanDisk Extreme Pro SDUC 4 TB SD card, the company has not disclosed any details. However, considering that their 1 TB SanDisk Extreme Pro card currently retails for $140, one can only speculate about the cost of a 4 TB SD card utilizing advanced NAND technology.

In summary, Western Digital’s preview of the industry’s first 4 TB SD card has generated significant excitement. With its impressive storage capacity, high-speed performance, and potential support for off-spec DDR208 mode, this upcoming release is poised to make a splash in the market. While details regarding pricing and specific NAND technology remain undisclosed, industry enthusiasts eagerly await the commercial release of this product in 2025.

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Background Information

About SanDisk: SanDisk, established in 1988, is a important American company specializing in flash memory and storage solutions. They are for their memory cards, USB drives, and solid-state drives (SSDs). SanDisk has played a vital role in the development of portable data storage solutions, catering to the needs of both consumers and businesses with reliable and innovative storage products.

About Western Digital: Western Digital, established in 1970, is a important data storage solutions provider known for its wide range of hard drives and solid-state drives. Catering to various applications, from personal computers to enterprise storage systems, Western Digital emphasizes data management and security. With a reputation for reliability and innovative solutions, the company has been pivotal in shaping the storage industry. Their products are trusted by individuals, businesses, and data centers worldwide

Technology Explained

NAND: NAND technology is a type of non-volatile memory that is used in many computer applications. It is a type of flash memory that is used to store data in a non-volatile manner, meaning that the data is not lost when the power is turned off. NAND technology is used in many computer applications, such as solid-state drives, USB flash drives, digital cameras, and memory cards. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as cell phones, tablets, and other consumer electronics. NAND technology is a reliable and cost-effective way to store data, making it a popular choice for many computer applications.