In a major branding shake-up announced at CES 2026 on January 5, SanDisk has officially retired the iconic WD Blue and WD Black names for its consumer SSDs. These are being replaced by a new unified lineup under the SanDisk Optimus brand, divided into three tiers: Optimus, Optimus GX, and Optimus GX Pro. This change aligns with SanDisk’s independence after Western Digital spun off its flash storage business in early 2025.
The rebranding affects mainstream internal NVMe SSDs previously sold as WD Blue (entry-level) and WD Black (performance/gaming). Existing models keep their core specs and model numbers but get new names and packaging. For example:
- WD Blue SN5100 becomes SanDisk Optimus 5100 (balanced for content creators).
- WD Black SN7100 becomes SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 (gaming-focused).
- Higher-end WD Black models like SN850X and SN8100 become SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 850X and GX Pro 8100 (flagship for professionals, developers, and AI PCs).
The tiers aim to make performance levels clearer:
- Optimus: Affordable speed for everyday and creative work.
- Optimus GX: Optimized for gaming with fast loads and efficiency.
- Optimus GX Pro: Top-tier for demanding tasks, including high-capacity options.
SanDisk also unveiled a new model: the Optimus GX 7100M, an M.2 2230 form factor SSD for handheld gaming devices (like Steam Deck) and slim laptops. It offers up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write speeds in 1TB and 2TB capacities.
Products with Optimus branding will roll out to retailers in the first half of 2026, with a gradual transition—WD-branded stock may linger during overlap. Warranties and support remain unchanged.
This move completes SanDisk’s separation from Western Digital’s HDD-focused branding, reviving “Optimus” (previously used for enterprise drives pre-2016 acquisition). It simplifies choices for buyers while emphasizing SanDisk’s flash heritage.
From a tech perspective, no hardware changes mean current WD SSD owners see no difference in performance. The clearer tiers could help consumers pick the right drive, especially as PCIe 5.0 and AI workloads grow. New packaging in red, black, and white gives a fresh look.
As SSDs evolve, this rebrand positions SanDisk strongly in the consumer market. If you’re shopping soon, check for deals on remaining WD stock—Optimus is the future. Stay tuned for hands-on reviews in 2026.
