SanDisk’s colossal 256TB NVMe SSD promises faster speeds and smarter tech

SanDisk has unveiled a massive 256TB solid-state drive, designed for power users and enterprise setups that require ultra-high storage capacity. Built on the brand-new UltraQLC platform, the SSD combines storage density with high performance and reliability, making it ideal for data-heavy applications. 

Housed in a U.2 form factor, the 256TB NVMe SSD features SanDisk’s in-house multi-core controller, custom firmware, and 2Tb BiCS8 3D QLC NAND memory. Alongside the headline-grabbing 256TB model, SanDisk also introduced the SN670 SSD, which is based on the same UltraQLC architecture.

SanDisk’s new UltraQLC platform claims to bring several key innovations, including Direct Write QLC, which removes the need for SLC buffering by allowing safe first-pass writes, even during power loss. It uses BiCS8 2Tb QLC dies to double storage density without increasing die size, and features a scalable multi-core controller to sustain performance and endurance at larger capacities.

The 256TB NVMe SSD also comes with Dynamic Frequency Scaling, a performance-boosting feature that’s claimed to deliver up to 10% more speed without increasing power consumption. On top of that, SanDisk has equipped the drive with a Data Retention profile that cuts down retention-related recycling by up to 33%, enhancing overall reliability, resilience, and energy efficiency.

Both the 128TB and 256TB UltraQLC SSDs are expected to ship in the first half of 2026.