Western Digital's HAMR Hard Drives Coming in 2026: First 36TB Models Expected Mid-Year
Western Digital has announced its timeline for the release of its first HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording) hard drives. The company's CEO, Irving Tan, has confirmed that mass production will begin in 2024, with qualification starting in the second half of 2026.
Currently, Western Digital can produce 44 TB hard drives in small batches using HAMR technology. The first 36-TB hard drives are expected to hit the market in mid-2026, with 44-TB drives following in the second half of 2027. The company anticipates that HAMR hard drives will reach capacities between 36 TB and 44 TB.
Western Digital's ePMR (energy-assisted PMR) technology currently offers 26 TB (CMR) and 32 TB (SMR) hard drives. By the end of this year, Western Digital expects 40 to 45 percent of nearline HDDs delivered to have SMR or 'Ultra SMR'.
Western Digital's HAMR hard drives are expected to significantly increase storage capacities, with the first models set to arrive in mid-2026. The company's commitment to this technology underscores its dedication to pushing the boundaries of data storage.
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