Sandisk Rebrands SSD Lineup Under New Optimus Name

At CES 2026, Sandisk unveiled a bold rebrand of its internal SSD portfolio, announcing the launch of the SANDISK Optimus™ product line—a new identity that brings together the performance of former WD Blue® and WD_BLACK™ NVMe SSDs under a single, creator-focused banner. With a clear structure aimed at helping users choose the right drive for their needs, the new Optimus range is engineered for photographers, filmmakers, digital artists, and video professionals who demand high-speed, high-capacity storage across editing and production workflows.

The new SANDISK Optimus™ lineup includes three key tiers: the Optimus, Optimus GX, and Optimus GX PRO, all designed to reflect increasing levels of speed, power, and capability. These drives build on Sandisk’s longstanding legacy in flash innovation, now with a unified design language and naming convention that better reflects the demands of modern creative and technical work.

For content creators and photographers, the SANDISK Optimus tier (formerly WD Blue®) offers reliable performance for editing high-resolution stills, working in Adobe Creative Cloud, or managing large photo libraries. These SSDs strike a balance between performance and affordability, making them ideal for portfolio builds, backups, and everyday production machines.

Moving up, the SANDISK Optimus GX (formerly WD_BLACK™ SN7100) is tuned for fast load times, larger capacity, and efficient performance—well suited for video editing and creators working with 4K/6K footage or running multiple applications simultaneously. Videographers and hybrid shooters working across mobile and studio workflows will benefit from the increased throughput and responsiveness.

At the top end, the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO (formerly WD_BLACK™ SN8100) is built for uncompromising performance in high-end post-production, AI-assisted workflows, or building powerful workstations for large-scale image processing and colour grading. Designed for professionals pushing the boundaries of video editing, VFX, and AI video tools, it combines cutting-edge NAND technology with sustained speed and robust capacity.

According to Sandisk, the rebrand aims to simplify the product selection process while reinforcing the company’s reputation for performance, trust, and reliability in the creative space. “The SANDISK Optimus™ brand redefines what performance means for consumer needs,” said Heidi Arkinstall, VP Global Consumer Brand and Digital Marketing at Sandisk. “Our products span multiple segments, and with this change, we are making it easier for consumers to find the right solution for their needs.”

All drives will feature a refreshed design and packaging that aligns with the new branding, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation and user-focused engineering.

Specifications:

• SANDISK Optimus™: Balanced performance for creators (formerly WD Blue SN5100 NVMe SSD)
• SANDISK Optimus™ GX: High-speed storage for video editing and gaming (formerly WD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD)
• SANDISK Optimus™ GX PRO: Flagship performance for professionals and AI workflows (formerly WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD)
• Interface: NVMe PCIe
• Use cases: Photo editing, video production, high-resolution workflows, workstation builds
• Compatibility: Desktops, laptops, high-end PCs, AI-enabled workstations

Price and Availability:
The transition to the SANDISK Optimus™ brand begins immediately, with the new product lineup arriving at select global retailers throughout the first half of 2026. These include updates to existing models under the new naming system, with options available for pre-order or notification. For more details and availability updates, visit SandiskOptimus.com or follow the brand on social media.

Designed with creators in mind, the Sandisk Optimus range simplifies the SSD selection process while delivering the speed and reliability photographers and videographers expect in a modern production workflow.