AI-Driven Data Surge Sparks Nearline HDD Shortages, Boosts QLC SSD Demand by 2026

TrendForce reported that the rapid rise in AI-generated data is straining data center storage infrastructure, leading to severe shortages of nearline hard disk drives (HDDs). Traditionally used for cold data storage, such as backups and historical records, nearline HDDs are facing supply constraints due to limited production capacity expansion by major manufacturers. This has extended lead times from a few weeks to over 52 weeks, creating significant storage gaps for cloud service providers (CSPs).

The shortfall is pushing CSPs to consider solid-state drives (SSDs), particularly high-capacity quad-level cell (QLC) SSDs, which offer superior read/write speeds and approximately 30% lower power consumption compared to nearline HDDs. While SSDs are typically used for frequently accessed hot and warm data, some providers are now evaluating their use for cold data storage. TrendForce projects that QLC SSD shipments could experience significant growth in 2026 as a result.

However, adopting QLC SSDs for cold data storage presents challenges, including higher costs and supply chain limitations. CSPs must adjust data management algorithms, ensure software stack compatibility, and carefully calculate total cost of ownership to maintain cost efficiency. For SSD suppliers, the increased demand offers opportunities to improve profitability, though limited production capacity...