Goodbye, WD_BLACK: SanDisk’s NVMe SSDs have been rebranded — and the company revealed a powerful handheld gaming SSD

Next week is CES 2026, the big tech show in Las Vegas, where companies from around the globe will unveil their newest gadgets and innovations.

SanDisk announced today that it’s changing the names of its WD_BLACK and WD Blue NVMe SSDs to Optimus. This rebranding might come as a surprise to gamers, designers, and content creators who are already fans of the well-known WD_BLACK series.

Along with a new brand identity, SanDisk has introduced the Optimus GX 7100M NVMe SSD, a faster storage option for handheld gaming PCs than their previous WD_BLACK SN700M model.

Let’s dive in and discuss the rebrand and the specs of this new handheld SSD.

You might be wondering why SanDisk decided to change the well-known WD_BLACK brand to Optimus.

Before I get to your question, it’s helpful to know that ‘Optimus’ was a name SanDisk used for some of its solid-state drives (SSDs) back in the mid-2010s. It’s not a completely new name, but SanDisk hasn’t used it for over ten years. So, this new branding is essentially bringing the ‘Optimus’ name back to life.

SanDisk says they changed the names of their SSDs to make it easier for people to find the right one for what they need.

According to Heidi Arkinstall, Vice President of Global Consumer Brand and Digital Marketing at SanDisk, the new SanDisk Optimus line is designed to simplify the process of finding high-performance storage solutions for everyday users. This rebranding aims to help customers easily identify the right product for their specific needs, given the wide range of options available.

I asked SanDisk if they were discontinuing the WD_BLACK brand. A representative explained that SanDisk Optimus is the new name for their SSDs designed for gamers, creators, and professionals. This means the WD_BLACK and WD Blue NVMe SSD lines are being rebranded under the Optimus name, and SanDisk doesn’t have any other brand news to share right now.

So, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if WD_BLACK is gone for good or not.

SanDisk Optimus now offers three different lines of SSDs, each built for a specific need: budget-friendly options, a good balance of price and features, and high-performance drives.

SanDisk Optimus: The entry-level line that balances pricing and performance. Designed for content creators.
SanDisk Optimus GX: The mid-tier line, designed for gamers looking for faster loading times.
SanDisk Optimus GX PRO: The highest, flagship line designed for “developers, professionals, and gamers building AI PCs, workstations, or high-end systems.”

Legacy WD_BLACK SSDs get new names

The popular WD_BLACK SSDs aren’t being discontinued – they’re simply being rebranded. Here’s a look at the new names for the older WD_BLACK and WD Blue SSD lines.

SanDisk OPTIMUS rebranding
Old Name	New Name
WD_BLACK SN8100	SanDisk OPTIMUS GX PRO 8100
WD_BLACK SN7100	SanDisk OPTIMUS GX 7100
WD_BLACK SN850X	SanDisk OPTIMUS GX PRO 850X
WD Blue 5100	SanDisk OPTIMUS 5100

New Optimus M.2 2230 SSD for handheld gaming PCs

I have a collection of handheld gaming PCs, and I’ve upgraded the storage in many of them using the WD_BLACK SN770M. This is a compact M.2 2230 PCIe NVMe SSD.

I’m really happy I upgraded to this storage solution. It’s the perfect size for my handheld gaming devices and much faster than the original SSDs in my Steam Deck and ROG Ally. It can read data at up to 5,150MB/s and write at up to 4,850MB/s, making it ideal for gaming on the go.

SanDisk announced the new Optimus GX 7100M, which they say is even quicker than before. It’s available with either 1TB or 2TB of storage. Here’s a look at the specifications for each size:

SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M Handheld Gaming SSD Specs
	1TB	2TB
Sequential Read	7,250MB/s	7,250MB/s
Sequential Write	6,900MB/s	6,900MB/s
Average Active Power (Read)	3.5W	3.7W
Average Active Power (Write)	3.8W	4.0W
Endurance	600TBW	1,200TBW
MTTF	1.75M Hours	1.75M Hours
Limited Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Software	SanDisk Dashboard (Windows only), Acronis True Image	SanDisk Dashboard (Windows only), Acronis True Image
Operating Temperature	32oF to 185oF (0oC to 85oC)	32oF to 185oF (0oC to 85oC)
Dimensions	30 x 22 x 2.38mm (1.18 x 0.87 x 0.94in)	30 x 22 x 2.38mm (1.18 x 0.87 x 0.94in)
Weight	2.8g (0.099oz)	2.8g (0.099oz)

A great rebrand or an unnecessary name change?

My initial reaction to the rebrand was simply, “Why?” While the name WD_BLACK feels a bit dated, reminiscent of 90s internet naming conventions, it’s a familiar brand that many PC users and those who upgrade their computers will recognize.

Understanding why they changed the name became a little clearer when I found out ‘Optimus’ was a name SanDisk had used for its solid-state drives before.

I’m not completely sold on the name “Optimus.” While it suggests ideas of efficiency and being the best, it feels a little too common. Plus, it immediately brings Optimus Prime from Transformers to mind, which is a bit of a distraction.

What are your thoughts on the new look for WD_BLACK and WD Blue? Do you like the name ‘Optimus’? Share your opinions in the comments below!

FAQ

Why did WD_BLACK get rebranded to OPTIMUS?

SanDisk says they changed the name to help customers more easily find the best solid-state drive for what they need.

What are the new SanDisk NVMe SSD lines called?

SanDisk is releasing a new series of SSDs called Optimus, with three different levels to choose from. The Optimus line is the basic model, the Optimus GX offers a step up in performance, and the Optimus GX PRO is the most advanced option.

Is SanDisk completely retiring the WD_BLACK name?

Currently, it’s uncertain what this means for SanDisk’s products. When I asked SanDisk about the future of the WD_BLACK brand, they explained that ‘Sandisk Optimus’ is the new name for their SSDs designed for gamers, creators, and professionals. This rebrand includes the WD_BLACK and WD Blue NVMe SSDs, and SanDisk stated they have no further brand announcements to make at this time.

2026-01-05 16:41