South Korea’s consumer SSD market is bracing for major changes as industry players adjust to rising prices and Micron’s reported withdrawal from the segment. According to a report by South Korean tech outlet ZDNet, Micron currently the world’s third-largest SSD supplier plans to exit the consumer SSD business by February 2026, a move expected to create significant openings for Chinese manufacturers known for aggressive pricing and rapid volume expansion.
Micron’s Departure to Lower Barriers for Chinese Brands
ZDNet reports that Micron’s planned exit has prompted Korean mid-tier PC manufacturers and consumers to explore alternative SSD suppliers. Industry sources cited in the report say that the company’s departure will effectively lower the entry barrier for Chinese SSD makers, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the Korean market.
Huawei Introduces Expanded SSD Lineup in Korea
Amid these developments, Huawei Korea is moving quickly to capitalize on shifting market dynamics. On December 2, the company held a partner seminar to unveil three new SSD products for the Korean market:
- eKitStor Xtreme 201 (for desktops and laptops)
- eKitStor Xtreme 201 (Laptop variant)
- eKitStor Shield 210 (portable SSD)
The Xtreme 201, a PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, delivers peak performance of 7.4GB/s read and 6.7GB/s write on its 1TB model—figures that place it in direct competition with leading brands, according to the report.
Switch to TLC NAND Enhances Market Appeal
The report also highlights that Huawei faced consumer hesitation with its earlier eKitStor Xtreme 200E, which used QLC NAND flash, typically perceived as slower and less durable. In contrast, the new Xtreme 201 uses TLC (3-bit) NAND, making it considerably more appealing to Korean buyers.
A Huawei Korea representative told ZDNet that the TLC NAND in the Xtreme 201 offers nearly triple the write endurance of comparable Korean-brand SSDs of the same capacity.
Huawei completed wireless certification for its new SSD lineup in late November and plans to begin consumer sales before year-end, with pricing details still under discussion.
SSD Prices Continue to Climb in Korea
Despite new competitors entering the market, SSD prices in Korea remain on an upward trajectory. As of December 9, major suppliers have informed partners of 20% to 40% price increases implemented from late October through early December.
Market research firm TrendForce reports that demand in Q4 has shifted from gradual recovery to urgent component procurement. NAND flash suppliers remain cautious about ramping production after years of volatility, causing enterprise SSD supply growth to trail demand sharply.
With supply tightening, TrendForce forecasts that enterprise SSD contract prices will surge more than 25% quarter-on-quarter in Q4—potentially setting a new revenue record for the sector.