HDD

AI, security and scale: Why HDD is back in the spotlight

During recent years, hard disk drives (HDDs) have lived under the combined shadow of solid-state drives (SSDs) and the cloud. But that’s all changing, as a new wave of demand is altering the picture. Artificial intelligence, surveillance, and the rising importance of data security are all pushing HDDs back into the centre of the storage story.

AI, surveillance and security put HDD back at the centre of the storage story

Artificial intelligence is reshaping global data storage needs, pushing hard disk drives (HDDs) back into the spotlight. According to Futuresource Consulting’s latest Worldwide HDD Channel Market Tracker, enterprise and surveillance deployments are fuelling strong demand, even as Q2 2025 shipments fell back in the channel.

Futuresource expands storage media tracker with country-level data and new subscription suite

The global storage media market is navigating shifting currents of demand and decline, with regional markets diverging and country-level volatility reshaping vendor strategies. From India’s double-digit surges in surveillance HDDs in Q1 of 2025, to clear EMEA contractions and shifting vendor dynamics in ASEAN, the battleground is increasingly local.

HDD market shows divergent trends as surveillance drives and regional factors fuel demand

The global hard disk drive (HDD) market faced ongoing headwinds in the first quarter of 2025, as consumer preferences continued to shift and economic pressures persisted worldwide. According to Futuresource Consulting’s latest Storage Media Quarterly Report, worldwide Q1 shipments of internal HDDs were down 4% quarter-on-quarter. However, despite the challenges, pockets of resilience remain. 

China’s storage giants disrupt global memory market amid economic slowdown

The global storage market is moving through a period of profound change, with shipments of HDD, SSD and DRAM all experiencing double-digit volume decline in 2024. That’s according to the latest quarterly storage report from Futuresource Consulting.

Internal and External HDD markets drop by over 10%, SSD and DRAM show stability.

After a difficult first quarter, several companies have reported decreases in SSD and DRAM revenue – both year on year, and quarter on quarter – in their earnings reports. However, according to Futuresource’s quarterly channel trackers, the Q1 DRAM market saw a growth in sales volume of 1.6% from Q4 2022.

Driving innovation: Key trends in memory technology for 2025

The SD Association, recently engaged Futuresource Consulting to deliver in-depth market research and analysis on the memory and storage technology industry.  SDA members can access the full report in the members’ section of the SDA website.   

2024: A year in review for SD and microSD memory cards

The SD and microSD memory card market in 2024 is an interesting mix of challenges and opportunities. Let's take a closer look at what's happening in this space and why sales have been gradually declining. 

Balancing sustainability in AI training: Addressing compute resources and environmental impact

In the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence, the training of AI models has become a cornerstone of technological progress. However, this progress comes with significant sustainability challenges.  

10 ways AI is revolutionising the storage media industry

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, AI is making significant strides in transforming various industries, and the storage media sector is no exception. From enhancing PC upgrades to revolutionising creative tools, AI's impact is profound and far-reaching.

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