SanDisk Simplifies Client SSD Lineup with SANDISK Optimus Branding

What changed

At CES 2026, SanDisk announced it is transitioning its internal client NVMe SSD branding away from the familiar WD_BLACK and WD Blue labels, consolidating under a single umbrella: SANDISK Optimus. The company says you will see refreshed packaging and product identity, while the performance and reliability customers expect remain consistent during the transition.

The new Optimus tier structure

SanDisk positions Optimus as a clearer, three-tier framework. The idea is that buyers can quickly map a tier to a use case, without needing to decode color branding or model number nuance.

This structure is described both in SanDisk’s Optimus page and in day-one CES coverage.

Old name to new name mapping

The most important detail for buyers is simple: many popular drives are not disappearing, they are being renamed. SanDisk’s FAQ lays out how previous WD_BLACK and WD Blue segments align to Optimus tiers.

Spotlight: Optimus GX 7100M for handhelds and compact PCs

Beyond renaming, day-one reporting highlights at least one SKU that feels purpose-built for a fast-growing niche: the Optimus GX 7100M, an M.2 2230 SSD aimed at handheld gaming PCs and thin, space-constrained systems.

Reported specs for Optimus GX 7100M (M.2 2230)

The table above reflects values published by Windows Central, and Tom’s Hardware also reports the same top-line read and write figures and the 1TB to 2TB capacity range.

If you have upgraded a handheld before, you know M.2 2230 is where the real constraints live: thermals, power draw, and physical fit. A high-end 2230 option branded inside a gaming tier (GX) is a straightforward signal to buyers who previously had to decode which WD_BLACK “M” model was meant for compact devices.

What people are saying

Early community reactions are a mix of approval and skepticism:

• Some readers like the clearer tier naming compared to overlapping WD color labels, but still note the new names can be long. Tom’s Hardware’s comment section includes exactly that kind of reaction.
• In a large ComputerBase forum thread, you can see both jokes about “Optimus Prime” and more serious posts saying the older Blue and Black naming felt nicer or simpler.
• Coverage also frames the rebrand as a way for SanDisk to own the spotlight after the flash business shift, rather than continuing to build the WD_BLACK identity in the client SSD aisle.

What this means for buyers and builders

1) If you are shopping right now

• Expect both old and new packaging to coexist for a while as inventory clears.
• Use the mapping table above and confirm the model number if you are matching reviews to a shelf label.
• Do not assume “new name” equals “new hardware” unless a datasheet or review confirms a spec change.

2) If you are a gamer

The GX tier is meant to be the easy pick for gaming-oriented builds, while GX PRO is framed as the top end for buyers who care about the highest tier performance and heavier mixed workloads.

3) If you build for compact systems

The attention on the 2230 Optimus GX 7100M is a strong hint that SanDisk wants to make handheld and small-form-factor buyers a first-class segment, not a confusing footnote under a broad WD_BLACK umbrella.

Availability and what to watch next

SanDisk says Optimus-branded products should start appearing at select retailers in the first half of 2026. Between now and then, the most useful next steps for buyers are (1) official datasheets per SKU and (2) third-party reviews focused on sustained performance, thermals, and power, especially for 2230 form factor drives. One minor note from the official Optimus page: it links to an “announcement” press release that was returning a 404 when checked, so the product page and third-party coverage are currently the most reliable public references.