SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M announcements at CES 2026 (held January 6–9, 2026, in Las Vegas).
SanDisk (now an independent company following its spin-off from Western Digital in 2025) used the event to unveil the SanDisk Optimus brand as the new umbrella name for its internal consumer NVMe SSD lineup, replacing the familiar WD Blue and WD_BLACK branding.
Key Details on the Optimus GX 7100M
This is indeed the standout debut product under the new branding, specifically designed for compact devices like handheld gaming consoles (e.g., Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or similar M.2 2230-compatible systems) and thin-and-light laptops.
- Interface & Specs: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD
- Sequential Speeds: Up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write (a noticeable step up from many previous 2230 options like the older WD_BLACK SN700 series)
- Capacities: Available in 1TB and (up to 2TB)
- Form Factor: M.2 2230 (compact size ideal for space-constrained devices)
- Target Benefits: Faster game load times, smoother performance for large libraries, better power efficiency for on-the-go gaming, and more storage in portables
It essentially serves as the compact/handheld variant of the rebranded Optimus GX 7100 (formerly WD_BLACK SN7100 in the standard M.2 2280 form factor).
The Broader Optimus Brand Launch
SanDisk is retiring the color-based WD naming (Blue for mainstream/creator, Black for gaming/high-performance) in favor of a clearer three-tier structure under SanDisk Optimus:
- Optimus (base tier): For content creators and everyday use (replaces WD Blue, e.g., Optimus 5100 from SN5100)
- Optimus GX (gaming tier): Focused on speed, capacity, and efficiency for gamers (replaces most WD_BLACK, e.g., GX 7100 from SN7100; includes the new GX 7100M)
- Optimus GX Pro (flagship tier): Top-tier for professionals, developers, AI PCs, workstations, and high-end gaming (replaces premium WD_BLACK like SN8100/SN850X)
The rebrand aims to simplify choices with consistent SanDisk branding, refreshed packaging, and a nod to the company's flash memory heritage (Optimus was an older SanDisk name revived here).
Existing WD-branded drives keep their warranties, and old stock will sell out while new Optimus products roll out.
Availability & Pricing
Products with the new Optimus branding (including the GX 7100M) are expected to hit select retailers in the first half of 2026 (early spring aligns with your note), starting with pre-orders or notifications.
Pricing hasn't been detailed yet—expect announcements closer to launch, likely competitive with prior WD_BLACK equivalents but potentially adjusted for market conditions (e.g., NAND pricing trends).
This feels like a smart move for the growing handheld gaming market, where fast, compact, high-capacity SSDs are in high demand.
If you're eyeing an upgrade for a device like the ROG Ally or similar, this could be a solid contender for quicker loads and bigger game installs.
What about you—do you have a handheld console or thin laptop in mind for this? Or was another CES 2026 announcement (like new PCIe Gen5 SSDs or AI-focused storage) catching your eye more? Curious to hear your thoughts! 🚀