Innovative UFS- and e.MMC-based Devices Enable
Next-Generation Smartphones Purpose-Built for Demands of the 5G
Network, Artificial Intelligence and Data-Centric Applications
Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) today introduced a new
portfolio of advanced iNAND® embedded flash drives (EFDs) to
empower smartphone users to unlock the full potential of today’s
data-driven applications and experiences. Leveraging Western
Digital’s 64-layer 3D NAND technology and advanced UFS and e.MMC
interface technologies, the intelligent, new iNAND® 8521 and iNAND®
7550 EFDs deliver outstanding data performance and high storage
capacity. When designed into smartphones and thin, lightweight
computing devices, they accelerate the possibilities of a wide
range of demanding data-centric applications, including augmented
reality (AR), high resolution video capture and rich social media
experiences, as well as emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and
Internet of Things (IoT) experiences at the “edge.”
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171204005548/en/
Western Digital introduces iNAND(r) 8521
embedded flash drive as part of a new portfolio of devices for
smartphones (Photo: Business Wire)
The volume, velocity, variety and value of data continues to
exponentially grow and evolve across Big Data, Fast Data and
personal data. Many consumers around the world will experience this
confluence of data on their smartphone.
“By end of 2018, we estimate that average storage capacity will
climb to over 60 gigabytes per smartphone globally to support the
growing proportion of rich multimedia content and data-driven
experiences from artificial intelligence to augmented reality on
the devices,” said Neil Shah, research director of devices and
ecosystems at Counterpoint Research. “This warrants a move to
advanced 3D NAND embedded flash storage solutions, which will drive
these richer experiences even further.”
“In addition to 360 video and multi-lens cameras, the emergence
of AI in mobile apps for more immersive experiences will propel the
data-centric nature of smartphones to new levels,” said Christopher
Bergey, vice president of embedded and integrated solutions at
Western Digital. “Our innovative new iNAND solutions create
environments for data across today’s most intensive mobile
applications and experiences to thrive. We brought together Western
Digital’s industry-leading X3 3D NAND technology and new
enhancements to our unique application-aware SmartSLC technologies
to provide customers with our most intelligent and highest
performance iNAND devices to date. These new additions to our iNAND
portfolio position us well to continue addressing the rising mobile
data demands of the dynamic global mobile market.”
iNAND 8521 EFD Delivers 5G Network-Ready Performance for
Flagship Mobile Devices
Designed for the most data-intensive users, the iNAND 8521 EFD
utilizes the UFS 2.1 interface and Western Digital’s new
fifth-generation SmartSLC technology to deliver up to double the
sequential write speed1, and up to 10 times the random write speed2
compared with the company’s previous iNAND mobile solution for
flagship smartphones, the iNAND 7232 EFD. Quickly and intelligently
responding to users’ application performance needs, it enables
rapid virtual reality game play and fast downloading of HD movies.
The exceptional data transfer speed of the iNAND 8521 EFD also
enables mobile users to take advantage of the latest Wi-Fi speeds
and network enhancements as service providers transition to 5G.
iNAND 7550 EFD for Nimble, High Capacity Mainstream
Smartphones
The iNAND 7550 EFD enables mobile manufacturers to create
cost-effective smartphones and computing devices that feature ample
storage to meet the needs of increasing consumer content while
providing fast and engaging application experiences. Built on the
e.MMC 5.1 specification, it is the company’s highest performing
iNAND EFD based on the widely used e.MMC interfaces to date, and
delivers sequential write performance of up 260 MB/s and random
read/write performance of 20K IOPS and 15K IOPS respectively3. This
enables the iNAND 7550 to enhance boot-up and application launch
times.
Availability and Additional Information
Marketed under the SanDisk® brand, the iNAND 8521 and iNAND 7550
EFDs are the latest additions to the iNAND family, which has been
trusted by all major smartphone and tablet manufacturers around the
world for over a decade. Western Digital is currently sampling
iNAND 8521 and iNAND 7550 storage solutions to OEMs in capacities
up to 256GB4. Additional product information, including details on
OEM tools and resources, can be found at
https://www.sandisk.com/oem-design/mobile.
About Western Digital
Western Digital creates environments for data to thrive. The
company is driving the innovation needed to help customers capture,
preserve, access and transform an ever-increasing diversity of
data. Everywhere data lives, from advanced data centers to mobile
sensors to personal devices, our industry-leading solutions deliver
the possibilities of data. Western Digital® data-centric solutions
are marketed under the G-Technology™, HGST, SanDisk®, Tegile™,
Upthere™, and WD® brands.
Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, SanDisk, the SanDisk
logo, and iNAND are registered trademarks of Western Digital
Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries.
All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © 2017
Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates. All rights
reserved.
1 – Offers sequential write speed up to 500MB/s compared to
160MB/s offered by iNAND 7232. Based on internal testing;
performance may vary depending upon drive capacity, host device,
file attributes, OS and application.
2 – Offers random write speed of up to 45K IOPS compared to up
to 4K IOPS offered by iNAND 7232. Based on internal testing;
performance may vary depending upon drive capacity, host device,
file attributes, OS and application.
3 – Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending
upon drive capacity, host device, file attributes, OS and
application.
4 – 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements,
including statements concerning our technology and product
development efforts related to the iNAND product portfolio and
embedded flash devices. There are a number of risks and
uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be
inaccurate including, among others: volatility in global economic
conditions; business conditions and growth in the storage
ecosystem; impact of competitive products and pricing; market
acceptance and cost of commodity materials and specialized product
components; actions by competitors; unexpected advances in
competing technologies; our development and introduction of
products based on new technologies and expansion into new data
storage markets; risks associated with acquisitions, mergers and
joint ventures; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other
risks and uncertainties listed in the company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the
company's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on Nov. 7, 2017, to which
your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171204005548/en/
Western Digital Corporation Investor RelationsBob Blair, +1
949.672.7834robert.blair@wdc.comorWestern Digital Corporation Media
RelationsLaura Bakken, +1 408.801.7653laura.bakken@wdc.com
Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024