Global flash memory and advanced memory technology company Sandisk recently launched a product portfolio aimed at meeting the needs of the growing market for software development, gaming, and digital content creation in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

The portfolio includes the Sandisk Optimus solid-state drive (SSD) product brand, alongside a new three-tier portable SSD portfolio designed to enable gamers, creators, and professionals to find the right drive.

"The launch of the Sandisk Optimus product brand in Africa brings together the very best of our internal SSD heritage under a single, performance-driven identity. Alongside this, we are proud to introduce our latest generation portable SSD portfolio in Africa, designed for everyone from everyday users to the most demanding creative professionals,” says Sandisk sales director: Africa Ghassan Azzi.

The Sandisk Optimus SSD product brand is the new unified brand for Sandisk's internal SSD portfolio, formerly known as WD_BLACK and WD Blue SSDs. The product range is structured into three performance tiers, namely:

• Optimus: Designed as a benchmark performance drive, offering speed and affordability. Built for content creators who require faster, smoother computing.
• Optimus GX: Designed for gaming, offering fast load times, expanded capacity, and power efficiency.
• Optimus GX PRO: The flagship of the brand portfolio, designed for developers, professionals and gamers that require the latest technology and performance to build AI PCs, workstations, or high-end PCs. Combines cutting-edge storage technologies with increased capacity.

The company will also be introducing a new three-tier pocket-sized, portable SSD portfolio, designed to support larger file sizes, AI-generated content, and demanding digital workflows. The Sandisk range includes:

• Portable SSD: Designed for everyday storage for students, office workers, and family archivists. Delivers read speeds up to 1 000 Mb/s, drop protection up to two metres and will be available in in 1 TB and 2 TB.
• Extreme portable SSD: Built for creative enthusiasts, photographers, and videographers working with large files. Delivers read speeds up to 2 000 Mb/s, with the ability to transfer up to 1 000 high-resolution photos in under 60 seconds. IP65-rated, three metre drop protection, and 256-bit advanced encryption standard (AES) encryption. Available in 1 TB to 4 TB.
• Extreme PRO portable SSD: A professional-grade drive for filmmakers, designers, and production teams. Offers transfer speeds up to 4 000 Mb/s, able to move up to 10 minutes of 12 K video in under a minute. IP65-rated, three meter drop protection and 256-bit AES encryption.

The portable range will be available to the MEA region in the second half of 2026.