The entire technology industry is always innovating and evolving. While for lower capacity and volume SSDs are your best option, for mass storage the HDD seems to stay around for a long time as companies still are actively developing their tech.

The latest technology development for HDD platters is coming from SDK Japanese company Showa Denko KK (SDK). Their High-Density HAMR technology is making use of something we've discussed a couple of time already, heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), now updated allowing for way more density. The claim is now that 3.5-inch HDDs can reach capacities of 70 to 80 even TB.

HAMR represents a recording method in which magnetic film is locally heated at the time of recording. This technology has been developed to solve the “magnetic recording trilemma”: difficulty in simultaneously meeting the three requirements of fine-particle structure, resistance to thermal fluctuation, and ease of magnetization. Compared with the recording density of approx. 1.14 Tb/in2 for HD media based on conventional magnetic recording methods, it is said that HAMR-based HD media will achieve recording density of 5-6 Tb/in2 in the future. Provided that the same number of disks are used, it is estimated that a 3.5-inch HDD will achieve storage capacity of approx. 70-80 TB per unit.

The innovation here is based on a thin magnetic layer with an allow of iron and platinum, that created very small crystal particles on that platter, allowed to be written. The materials have another advantage, they can withstand heat quite well.

SDK make any bold claims in terms of specifications, but it does indicate that GAMR discs should be able to reach 5 to 6 Tb per square inch. Currently, that is 1.14 Tb per square inch. So the value that is easily quadrupled. It is uncertain if and when the new technology will go into production.

Sources: SDK via Hardware.info

HDDs with HAMR HD Density based Platters bring 80 TB HDDs on the horizon