Press Releases

Dec 4, 2017

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

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Dec. 4, 2017 – 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.”

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.

Company Contacts:
Bob Blair
Western Digital Corporation Investor Relations
+1 949.672.7834
robert.blair@wdc.com

Laura Bakken
Western Digital Corporation Media Relations
+1 408.801.7653
laura.bakken@wdc.com