Solid-state drives (SSDs) are set to see a significant boost in storage capacity over the next few years, promising more space for less money. A recent IEEE consortium report titled “IEEE International Roadmap for Devices and Systems Mass Data Storage” outlines this expected development, predicting a steady growth in SSD capacities that could reshape the landscape of data storage by 2029.
Historically, the main drawback of SSDs has been their cost-to-capacity ratio when compared to mechanical hard drives. However, according to the report, we’re on the cusp of a shift. The projected trajectory sees SSD capacities doubling by 2027 and then doubling again by 2029. This growth is mainly attributed to advances in layering technology within NAND storage. Currently, manufacturers are exploring ways to stack more layers vertically on SSDs. Although there is potential to scale up to 1,000 layers, the complexity and cost of such manufacturing could outweigh the benefits.
The report details how manufacturers like Samsung are pushing the envelope with their 1Tb QLC NAND technology, which stacks two 145-layer dies to reach a total of 290 layers. This approach is anticipated to evolve further, reaching between 300 and 400 layers by 2025, and hitting 500 layers by 2027, thereby enabling 4Tb dies. By 2029, these advancements could make 8TB or even 16TB SSDs not only a reality but also affordable.
The focus of the report is on TLC NAND, which utilizes three bits per cell. It also mentions ongoing developments in QLC and PLC technologies, which use four and five bits per cell respectively, indicating future capacities could increase even more dramatically.
For more details on this promising future of SSD technology, read the full report at ExtremeTech.