Goodbye, WD_BLACK: SanDisk's NVMe SSDs have been rebranded — and the company revealed a powerful handheld gaming SSD

It's the week of CES 2026, where tech companies from all over the world are showcasing their latest products and devices in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As part of these announcements, SanDisk revealed that it is rebranding its WD_BLACK and WD Blue NVMe SSDs — they are now under the name Optimus. To the many gamers, designers, and content creators already familiar with the popular WD_BLACK line, this name change might be a big surprise.

In addition to the rebrand, SanDisk has revealed the brand-new Optimus GX 7100M NVMe SSD for handheld gaming PCs, which is faster than the previous WD_BLACK SN700M.

Let's dive in and discuss the rebrand and the specs of this new handheld SSD.

You might be asking yourself, "Why would SanDisk rebrand such an identifiable name like WD_BLACK to Optimus?"

Before I answer that, there are a couple of things you should know. First off, Western Digital and SanDisk are now separate companies as of 2025, so it makes sense that a WD_BACK rebrand was needed (thanks, Tom's Hardware). The second thing you should know is that Optimus is actually a name SanDisk used for some of its SSDs in the mid-2010s, so it didn't just come out of nowhere. As far as I can tell, the SanDisk Optimus name hasn't been used for over a decade, though. As such, this rebrand serves as the resurrection or revival of the Optimus name.

According to SanDisk, the rebranding of its SSDs was done to help consumers better identify the best SSD that will fit their use cases.

"The SANDISK Optimus brand redefines what performance means for consumer needs,” said Heidi Arkinstall, VP Global Consumer Brand and Digital Marketing at Sandisk. “Our products span multiple segments, and with this change, we are making it easier for consumers to find the right solution for their needs.”

When I asked a SanDisk PR representative if the WD_BLACK name was getting completely retired going forward, I was told, "SANDISK  Optimus is the new name for Sandisk's internal SSD lineup for gamers, creators, and professionals, marking the rebrand of its WD_BLACK and WD Blue NVMe SSDs... Sandisk is not making any other brand announcements at this time."

While that wasn't a direct answer, it's very likely SanDisk won't use the WD_BLACK name going forward, given that Western Digital and SanDisk have split.

One definite thing is that the SanDisk Optimus brand now has three tiers of SSDs, designed for affordability, balance, and performance:

• SanDisk Optimus: The entry-level line that balances pricing and performance. Designed for content creators.
• SanDisk Optimus GX: The mid-tier line, designed for gamers looking for faster loading times.
• SanDisk Optimus GX PRO: The highest, flagship line designed for "developers, professionals, and gamers building AI PCs, workstations, or high-end systems."

Legacy WD_BLACK SSDs get new names

As you'd expect, the formerly named WD_BLACK SSDs aren't going away; they're just getting new names. Here's what the legacy WD_BLACK and WD Blue SSDs are called going forward.

New Optimus M.2 2230 SSD for handheld gaming PCs

I own several handheld gaming PCs and have upgraded many of their SSDs with the WD_BLACK SN770M, which is the smaller M.2 2230 PCIe NVMe SSD.

I've never regretted upgrading to this storage option since it perfectly fits my handhelds while offering faster speeds than the SSDs that came in my Steam Deck and ROG Ally. Specifically, it can reach up to a 5,150MB/s read speed and up to a 4,850MB/s write speed, which is great for handheld gaming.

However, according to SanDisk's press release, the new Optimus GX 7100M is even faster and comes in either a 1TB or 2TB capacity. Here are the known specs for these two options:

A great rebrand or an underwhelming name change?

When I first heard the rebrand news, the first thing to pop into my head was why Optimus? The name WD_BLACK might put people in mind of the 90s internet with its awkward underscore, but it had a unique name, recognizable to many PC users and upgrade enthusiasts.

So, when I realized that Optimus was actually a name SanDisk had previously used for its SSDs, it made the name change a little more understandable.

Still, I don't really love the name "Optimus." Sure, it makes me think of optimized or optimal, but it also sounds somewhat generic. Not to mention, it definitely makes me think of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in Transformers, and that's just kind of distracting.

How do you feel about the WD_BLACK and WD Blue rebranding? Do you like the name Optimus? Tell us about it in the comments.

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