Samsung SSD Comparison 2026
Complete guide to Samsung's SSD lineup — from flagship 990 Pro to budget-friendly 870 QVO. Compare speeds, lifespans, and prices to find your perfect match.
Last Updated: July 2026
Samsung SSD Series Overview
Why Choose Samsung SSDs?
Samsung is one of the world's largest NAND flash memory manufacturers, giving them a complete supply chain advantage from chips to finished products. Their SSDs consistently rank highest for reliability, with industry-leading TBW (Terabytes Written) ratings and comprehensive 5-year warranties on most consumer models. Samsung's Magician software provides robust health monitoring, performance optimization, and firmware updates.
Quick Buying Guide
| Use Case | Recommended Series | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming (PS5/PC) | 990 Pro / 980 Pro | Fast load times, high endurance |
| Content Creation | 990 Pro / 980 Pro | High sustained write speeds |
| Office Work | 980 / 870 EVO | Reliable, cost-effective |
| Budget Upgrade | 870 QVO / 970 EVO Plus | Best value for money |
| Portable Storage | T7 / T5 | Fast, compact, durable |
Samsung NVMe SSD Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | TBW (1TB) | Warranty | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 Pro | 1TB / 2TB / 4TB | 7,450 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $130-$180 | Gaming, Creation, PS5 |
| 980 Pro | 250GB-2TB | 7,000 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $100-$150 | Gaming, Power Users |
| 980 | 250GB-2TB | 3,500 MB/s | 3,000 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $70-$100 | Everyday Use |
| 970 EVO Plus | 250GB-2TB | 3,500 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $80-$120 | Budget NVMe |
Key Differences
990 Pro vs 980 Pro: The 990 Pro offers higher sequential write speeds (6,900 vs 5,000 MB/s) and is optimized for PS5 compatibility. The 980 Pro provides excellent performance at a lower price point.
980 Pro vs 980: The 980 Pro uses PCIe 4.0 with speeds up to 7,000 MB/s, while the 980 uses PCIe 3.0 at 3,500 MB/s. Choose 980 Pro for gaming and power use, 980 for everyday tasks.
970 EVO Plus: A classic model being phased out. Good value for budget-conscious users, but verify firmware is updated to avoid known issues.
Samsung SATA SSD Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | TBW (1TB) | Warranty | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 870 EVO | 250GB-4TB | 563 MB/s | 533 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $80-$120 | SATA Upgrades |
| 870 QVO | 1TB-8TB | 560 MB/s | 530 MB/s | 360 TBW | 3 years | $60-$90 | Bulk Storage |
When to Choose SATA SSDs?
- Older laptop upgrades (no NVMe slot available)
- Large capacity storage needs (870 QVO up to 8TB)
- Budget-conscious builds
- SATA-only devices (some NAS, PS4)
870 EVO vs 870 QVO: The 870 EVO has higher endurance (600 TBW vs 360 TBW) and a longer warranty (5 years vs 3 years). Use EVO for system drives with frequent writes, QVO for pure storage with infrequent writes.
Samsung Portable SSD Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | Interface | Weight | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T7 | 500GB-2TB | 1,050 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 58g | $90-$140 | Portable Storage |
| T7 Shield | 1TB-4TB | 1,050 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 98g | $100-$180 | Rugged Use |
| T5 | 250GB-2TB | 540 MB/s | 515 MB/s | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | 51g | $70-$110 | Budget Portable |
Portable SSD Features
T7 Series: Features AES 256-bit hardware encryption, compatible with PC, Mac, Android, and gaming consoles. The T7 Shield adds IP65 dust and water resistance for rugged use.
T5 Series: Classic reliable portable SSD, great value for daily backups and file transfers.
Samsung Enterprise SSDs
| Series | Interface | Capacity | Use Case | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM9A3 | PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 960GB-7.68TB | Data Center | High density, low latency |
| PM983 | PCIe 3.0 NVMe | 960GB-3.84TB | Enterprise Server | Cost-effective NVMe |
| PM893 | SATA 3.0 | 960GB-7.68TB | Enterprise Storage | High reliability SATA |
Enterprise vs Consumer SSDs
Enterprise PM series drives offer higher endurance (up to 3 DWPD), power loss protection, and 24/7 reliability for data centers and servers. These are typically sold through enterprise channels, not consumer retail.
When to consider enterprise SSDs: 24/7 high-load servers, data centers, enterprise storage arrays, applications requiring maximum reliability.
Samsung SSD Lifespan & Health
TBW (Terabytes Written) Data
TBW indicates the total data you can write during the warranty period. Higher TBW means longer lifespan under heavy write workloads.
| Model | 250GB | 500GB | 1TB | 2TB | 4TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 Pro | - | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | 2,400 TBW |
| 980 Pro | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | - |
| 980 | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | - |
| 970 EVO Plus | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | - |
| 870 EVO | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | 2,400 TBW |
| 870 QVO | - | - | 360 TBW | 720 TBW | 1,440 TBW |
How to Check Samsung SSD Health
Method 1: Online Tool
Recommended
Use our free SSD Health Check tool for instant health estimate. No installation required.
Check SSD Health NowMethod 2: Samsung Magician
Official Samsung Tool
Official tool for Windows with health monitoring, firmware updates, and performance optimization.
Download Samsung MagicianMethod 3: CrystalDiskInfo
Third-Party Tool
Free utility that reads SMART data from any SSD brand. Shows health percentage and temperature.
Learn MoreSamsung Magician Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Drive Health | View health percentage and TBW usage |
| Performance Benchmark | Test read/write speeds |
| Firmware Update | Update drive firmware |
| Secure Erase | Safely wipe all data |
| Encryption | Manage encryption settings |
| Rapid Mode | Performance acceleration (select models) |
Buying Guide - Scenario-Based Recommendations
Choose the right Samsung SSD based on your specific needs and use case.
Competitive Gaming
Maximum PCIe 4.0 speeds (7,450 MB/s reads) minimize game loading times. The large capacity holds the OS plus multiple AAA games. 1,200 TBW endurance ensures years of use even with frequent game installs and patches.
Video Editing and Content Creation
Fast sequential writes (6,900 MB/s) handle 4K/8K video files efficiently. The large SLC cache absorbs burst writes during export. DRAM cache ensures consistent performance in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and other creative applications.
General Office Work
SATA interface provides plenty of speed for document work, web browsing, and light applications. Lower cost than NVMe alternatives. 5-year warranty and 600 TBW ensure reliability. Works in older systems without NVMe support.
Budget Gaming PC
PCIe 3.0 speeds (3,500 MB/s) are still much faster than SATA SSDs and sufficient for gaming. More affordable than PCIe 4.0 drives. 600 TBW endurance provides long-term reliability.
High-Capacity Media Storage
Lowest cost per GB among Samsung SATA SSDs. QLC NAND is fine for media libraries, game storage, and backups where writes are infrequent. Large capacities store extensive photo/video collections. 3-year warranty covers normal use.
Portable Workflow and On-the-Go Storage
Fast PCIe NVMe speeds (1,050/1,000 MB/s) over USB enable quick file transfers between devices. Compact metal design withstands travel. Works with Windows, Mac, Android, and cameras. Optional hardware encryption protects sensitive data.
PS5 Storage Expansion
PCIe 4.0 interface meets Sony's requirements (minimum 5,500 MB/s sequential reads). Samsung drives are among the most commonly recommended for PS5 expansion. Add a compatible heatsink since bare drives don't include one.
Older System Upgrades (SATA only)
Works in any system with SATA ports. Dramatic speed improvement over hard drives. Samsung's reliability track record provides confidence. 5-year warranty for peace of mind.
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended Model | Capacity | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50-$80 | 870 QVO | 1TB | Storage, Budget Upgrade |
| $80-$120 | 980 / 870 EVO | 1TB | Office, Everyday Use |
| $100-$150 | 980 Pro | 1TB | Gaming, Power Users |
| $120-$180 | 990 Pro | 1TB | Gaming, Content Creation |
| $150-$250 | 990 Pro | 2TB | Large Game Library, Video Editing |
Frequently Asked Questions
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