In late 2023, Western Digital announced its division into two companies, with SanDisk taking charge of solid-state storage, including consumer drives previously under the WD Blue, Black, Green, and Red brands. SanDisk is rebranding these drives under the "Optimus" name, with the WD Blue becoming the SanDisk Optimus 5100 and the mid-tier WD Black transitioning to the SanDisk Optimus GX series. High-end WD Black drives will be known as SanDisk Optimus GX Pro, featuring enhancements like a PCIe 5.0 interface and dedicated DRAM cache for improved performance. Despite the rebranding, the core differences between the drive models remain, with varying memory types and interfaces affecting speed and durability. This matters because it signifies a strategic shift in branding and product offerings, potentially impacting consumer choices and market dynamics in the SSD industry.
