After Western Digital officially separated its flash business last year and transferred it to the ownership of SanDisk, now a big change in branding is coming. SanDisk has announced a complete reorganization of the SSD offer, definitively ending the era of the distinctive WD Black and WD Blue models. Instead of them, the company is introducing a completely new Optimus brand.
The name Optimus is not unknown to longtime hardware enthusiasts. It dates back to 2013, when SanDisk acquired SMART Storage Systems, and the last product from that family was the SanDisk Optimus Max from 2014. After more than a decade of hiatus, SanDisk decides to revive the Optimus name in 2026 and use it as the basis for a new range of SSD devices, along with a refreshed product and packaging design.
SanDisk reorganizes the SSD offer and returns the name Optimus
The new Optimus line is divided into three levels, depending on the purpose. The basic Optimus model represents the main, mainstream class and practically takes over the role of the former WD Blue drives. For example, the WD Blue SN5100 is now sold under the name Optimus 5100, with a focus on the balance of performance and price.
The middle segment consists of Optimus GX, which is intended for gamers and replaces the standard WD Black models. The iconic WD Black SN7100 has already been renamed to Optimus GX 7100. At the top of the range is the Optimus GX Pro series, which represents the new flagship line. These include models like the former WD Black SN8100, which now appears as the Optimus GX Pro 8100.
In parallel with the brand change, SanDisk also introduced the new Optimus GX 7100M. It is a compact version of the earlier SN7100 model, in M.2 2230 format, intended for devices such as Steam Deck, ROG Ally and thin laptops.
The Optimus GX 7100M uses a PCIe 4.0 interface and offers sequential read speeds of up to 7250 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6900 MB/s. It is available in 1 TB and 2 TB capacities.
SSDs from the Optimus family, recognizable by the new red-black-white packaging, will begin to appear in global retail during the first half of 2026.