Samsung Launches PCIe 4.0 990 SSD for Gamers and Creators

Samsung Electronics released the 990 SSD, a PCIe 4.0 NVMe internal drive available in 1TB and 2TB capacities. The drive uses QLC NAND flash memory and a DRAM-less design to balance performance and power efficiency, claiming up to 38% better performance per watt than the 990 Pro. The 2TB model delivers sequential read speeds up to 7,250MB/s and write speeds up to 6,450MB/s, while the 1TB model reaches read speeds of 7,150MB/s.

Positioned between the flagship 990 Pro and the value-oriented 990 EVO, the drive includes a three-year warranty and support for Samsung Magician 9.0 software. However, the hardware offers lower durability ratings and slower speeds than the original 2022 990 Pro. Market analysts note that the pricing reflects a global memory shortage and high component costs driven by the AI data center boom.

The product launched on July 14, 2026, in international markets including the UK, Australia, and Singapore, with 1TB and 2TB models priced at approximately $270 and $530 respectively. Samsung later announced an Indian release for the last week of July 2026, with prices set at Rs 25,649 for 1TB and Rs 50,349 for 2TB. No official US release date has been confirmed.