Samsung 860 Evo, 860 Pro SSDs With 64-Layer V-NAND Launched

Samsung has expanded its Evo range of solid-state drives (SSDs) with the launch of the 860 Evo and 860 Pro. The new SSD models are the successors to the company's 850 Evo family that was debuted in 2TB size back in 2015 and received a 4TB variant in July 2016. While the 860 Evo comes with a starting price of $94.99 (approximately Rs. 6,046), the 860 Pro starts at $139.99 (roughly Rs. 8,900).

The major change that the Samsung 860 Evo and 860 Pro bring over the previous 850 Evo and 850 Pro is the 64-layer V-NAND tech, an upgrade of the original 48-layer V-NAND. The new SSD also have up to 4GB LPDDR4 mobile DRAM and a new MJX controller, which is touted to enable faster communication with the host system over its predecessor. The controller can handle workstation storage as well as offer an improved Linux operating system compatibility, as claimed by Samsung. Further, the latest SSDs are capable to support up to 560MBps read and 530MBps write speeds and include a SATA 6Gbps interface.

Samsung has provided its 2-bit MLC technology on the 860 Pro, whereas the 860 Evo comes with a 3-bit MLC 3D NAND. Also, the 860 Evo is available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB storage options in 2.5-inch, mSATA and M.2 form factors. It has an enhanced Intelligent TurboWrite technology with read and write speeds of up to 550MBps and 520MBps, respectively. The 860 Pro, on the other hand, is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, with the 4TB storage option holding up to 114 hours and 30 minutes of 4K Ultra HD video. It comes in a widely compatible 2.5-inch form factor.

"Samsung will continue to fuel meaningful innovations in the consumer SSD space and drive the growth of the overall memory industry for years to come," said Un-Soo Kim, Senior Vice President of Brand Product Marketing, Memory Business, Samsung, in a press statement.

Both the Samsung 860 Evo and 860 Pro come with an upgraded five-year limited warranty. The price of the 860 Evo ranges between $94.99 (approximately Rs. 6,046) for the 250GB model and $1,399.99 (roughly Rs. 89,116) for the 4TB model, while the 860 Pro starts from $139.99 (around Rs. 8,500) and goes up to $1,899.99 (approximately Rs. 1,20,940). The Samsung 860 Evo and 860 Pro will go on sale in India later this month with prices starting at Rs. 8,750 and Rs. 12,200, respectively.