● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsLow impact
Samsung Launches Budget 990 SSD Amidst Criticism Over High Prices and Lower Speeds
Key points
- Samsung's 990 SSD is a budget Gen 4 QLC model.
- Priced at $530 for 2TB, it's more expensive than 990 Pro's original prices.
- Offers full Gen 4 throughput but slower than 990 Pro SSD.
- Lower power efficiency noted compared to other models.
Samsung Introduces the 990 SSD
Samsung has launched its latest solid-state drive, the 990 SSD, positioned as a budget-friendly Gen 4 QLC drive. Available for $530 for the 2TB version and $270 for 1TB, it provides full Gen 4 throughput, appealing to budget-conscious users.
Performance and Pricing Comparison
Though the Samsung 990 SSD is touted for acceptable performance levels, it falls short when compared to its predecessor, the 990 Pro series. The 990 Pro, despite earlier lower pricing at $179 for 1TB and $309 for 2TB, offered better sequential and random read and write speeds.
This new model sets back users financially, given its inferior speed and higher cost amid rising component prices. The Pro version boasted speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, significantly higher than the new model's 7,250 MB/s and 6,450 MB/s for sequential tasks.
Market Positioning and User Expectations
The release of the 990 SSD reveals Samsung's strategy to cater to a cost-aware consumer segment by introducing a lower-priced, although less powerful, alternative in their SSD lineup. However, prospective buyers may view the slower speeds and increased prices as deterrents.
Despite the compromises, the 990 remains an option for users seeking dependable, though not top-tier, performance from a well-regarded brand in the industry.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Samsung has released a new 990 SSD model that is slower than the previous 990 Pro but costs significantly more. The new model sells for $270 for 1TB and $530 for 2TB, compared to the Pro's original prices of $179 for 1TB and $309 for 2TB.
Samsung has released the 990 2TB SSD, a budget Gen 4 QLC drive offering full throughput but with mediocre power efficiency. Priced at $529.99, it targets users seeking budget SSD options without sacrificing too much performance.