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News Devices Apr 6, 2026, 5:50 PM
Emerging

WD Innovation Day 2026 press Q&A transcript: roadmap plans to reach 60TB with ePMR and 100TB via HAMR by 2029

Back in February, we had the opportunity to attend WD 's (formerly Western Digital) Innovation Day 2026, where the company outlined its plans for the future. Notably, the company discusses its split from SanDisk, and it's expectations for the future, including discussion around its HAMR roadmap, in addition to its ePMR discussions, and fielding questions from analysts. This piece sits on 1 source layers, but the real value is showing why the story should not be skimmed past too quickly.

Back in February, we had the opportunity to attend WD 's (formerly Western Digital) Innovation Day 2026, where the company outlined its plans for the future. Notably, the company discusses its split from SanDisk, and it's expectations for the future, including discussion around its HAMR roadmap, in addition to its ePMR discussions, and fielding questions from analysts. The signal is strong enough to deserve attention, but it still needs to be read as something developing rather than fully settled.

Quang Huy Devices and Digital Infrastructure Editor
Emerging The topic has initial corroboration, but the newsroom is still waiting on stronger confirmation.
Reference image for: WD Innovation Day 2026 press Q&A transcript: roadmap plans to reach 60TB with ePMR and 100TB via HAMR by 2029
Reference image from Tom's Hardware. Tom's Hardware

Back in February, we had the opportunity to attend WD 's (formerly Western Digital) Innovation Day 2026, where the company outlined its plans for the future. Notably, the company discusses its split from SanDisk, and it's expectations for the future, including discussion around its HAMR roadmap, in addition to its ePMR discussions, and fielding questions from analysts. Like many of our previous event transcripts, this is almost exactly what we heard at the press-only event. Tom's Hardware is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use.

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What is happening now

Back in February, we had the opportunity to attend WD 's (formerly Western Digital) Innovation Day 2026, where the company outlined its plans for the future. Tom's Hardware form the main source layer behind the core facts in this piece.

Where the sources line up

Tom's Hardware is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. Notably, the company discusses its split from SanDisk, and it's expectations for the future, including discussion around its HAMR roadmap, in addition to its ePMR discussions, and fielding questions from analysts. Tom's Hardware form the main source layer behind the core facts in this piece.

Advertising slot

Patrick Tech Store Accounts, tools, and software now available in the store This slot is temporarily dedicated to the Patrick Tech ecosystem.

The details worth keeping

Like many of our previous event transcripts, this is almost exactly what we heard at the press-only event. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use.

Why this matters most

The signal is strong enough to deserve attention, but it still needs to be read as something developing rather than fully settled. With 1 source layers on the table, the part worth reading most closely is where firm facts meet the market's early reaction. As such, some elements have been lightly edited for flow and clarity.

What to watch next

The next readout is price, device coverage, and whether the change feels real once the hardware reaches users. Patrick Tech Media will keep checking rollout speed, user reaction, and how Tom's Hardware update the next pieces. From 1 early signals, the piece keeps 1 references that are useful for locking the main details in place.

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