b2b-daily
Home | IT | Hardware

WD Debuts 32TB 11-Platter Drives, Surpasses Seagate in Storage Capacity

Avatar photo
by Maise Cooper
October 16, 2024
WD Debuts 32TB 11-Platter Drives, Surpasses Seagate in Storage Capacity

Western Digital (WD) has introduced several new hard drives featuring an innovative 11-platter design, marking a significant advancement in storage technology and positioning the company as a formidable contender in the data storage industry. This cutting-edge design allows for greater storage capacities without the need to increase the physical size of the drives. Among the most noteworthy announcements is a 32TB Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) drive specifically designed for data centers. This particular model is noteworthy as it is WD’s first drive to surpass the 30TB mark, setting a new benchmark for the company. Alongside this, WD also unveiled two new Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) drives: the 26TB Ultrastar DC HC590 and the 26TB WD Gold SATA drive, further enhancing their product lineup.

By introducing these new drives, WD is significantly boosting its storage capabilities compared to previous models. Last year, the company had achieved storage capacities of up to 28TB for SMR and 26TB for CMR drives. The addition of up to 4TB in capacity sets a new industry standard and underscores WD’s commitment to innovation. While WD is leading the pack with its unique 11-platter design, the company is trailing behind its competitor Seagate in the adoption of Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology. Seagate has already made strides in this area by releasing a 32TB HAMR drive, with plans for further advancements to 36TB, 40TB, and eventually 50TB capacities. Seagate even harbors ambitions to reach a groundbreaking 100TB by 2025, placing them at the forefront of HAMR technology.

Competitive Landscape

Western Digital (WD) has unveiled a series of new hard drives based on an innovative 11-platter design, representing a significant leap in storage technology. This design enables higher storage capacities while maintaining the same physical dimensions. One of the standout announcements is a 32TB Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) drive aimed at data centers. This particular drive is notable as it marks WD’s first entry past the 30TB threshold, establishing a new high for the company. In addition, WD introduced two new Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) drives: the 26TB Ultrastar DC HC590 and the 26TB WD Gold SATA drive, thereby enriching its product lineup.

These new drives significantly enhance WD’s storage capabilities compared to their earlier models. Last year, the company offered up to 28TB for SMR and 26TB for CMR drives. Adding an extra 4TB in capacity sets a new industry standard and underscores WD’s commitment to innovation. Despite leading with an 11-platter design, WD lags behind Seagate in Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology. Seagate has already launched a 32TB HAMR drive and plans to extend capacities to 36TB, 40TB, and even 50TB. Seagate also aims for a groundbreaking 100TB by 2025, positioning them as HAMR technology pioneers.

Business StrategyDigital TransformationElectronics

Explore more

FARABI Framework Optimizes 6G Internet of Vehicles Connectivity
October 27, 2026

High-speed vehicular mobility creates a complex landscape where signal reliability is constantly threatened by the surrounding physical architecture. As we transition into the era of 6G connectivity, the shift toward millimeter-wave and Terahertz frequency bands offers unprecedented bandwidth but introduces extreme sensitivity to physical obstacles. In urban corridors, even a single large vehicle or a concrete pillar can disrupt a

Securing Instant Payments Against Advanced Fraud Risks
October 27, 2026

Implementing a layered defense strategy is the only way to balance the need for transaction speed with the requirement for robust financial security. As digital commerce accelerates through 2026, the global financial landscape is undergoing a radical transformation characterized by the rapid adoption of instant payment infrastructures. The traditional models of settlement, which once allowed for a multi-day buffer, have

Zimbabwe Modernizes Payments With India’s UPI Technology
October 27, 2026

Negotiations with the international subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India are expected to conclude by an October 31 deadline. This high-stakes dialogue represents a pivotal moment for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as it seeks to overhaul a domestic financial landscape that has long been hampered by fragmentation and technical friction. By adopting a model based on India’s

Can Trust Move as Fast as Instant Payments?
October 27, 2026

A significant velocity gap has emerged where technical infrastructure for moving money has far surpassed the infrastructure for maintaining consumer trust. This divergence presents a unique challenge for the global financial ecosystem, which is currently undergoing a rapid transformation toward real-time settlement. The movement of capital, once measured in days or hours, is now executed in seconds, rendering traditional oversight

Interswitch and Banks Lead Nigeria’s Shift to Tap-to-Pay
October 27, 2026

Jimmy Banjoko of GTBank observes that the widespread existing use of banking applications has already prepared the Nigerian market for a rapid shift to tap-based commerce. This transition signifies more than just a technical convenience; it represents a fundamental overhaul of how value is exchanged across the continent. As Interswitch collaborates with major financial institutions, the traditional reliance on physical

Fill out the form below