TrendForce notes surging AI inference drives high-capacity storage demand. HDD shortage pushes CSPs to Nearline SSDs. NAND Flash vendors accelerate QLC validation & expansion. Future sees wider SSD adoption in AI, boosting enterprise SSD demand. NAND Flash expands to AI training, diversifying tech. Supply chain faces bottlenecks, requiring expansion & innovation.

Key Highlights

• Exploding Demand for AI Inference Services: The increasing popularity of AI applications is driving demand for high-capacity storage, particularly for AI inference services.
• HDD Supply Chain Challenges: Traditional HDD production capacity cannot meet the demand, resulting in a significant supply gap.
• Nearline SSDs as a Solution: CSP operators are turning to NAND Flash, adopting Nearline SSDs designed specifically for AI inference.
• Accelerated Adoption of QLC Technology: NAND Flash suppliers are accelerating the verification and expansion of QLC, leveraging its low-cost advantages to meet high-capacity needs.
• Future Trends: Higher-capacity, lower-cost SSDs will be widely used in AI storage, driving growth in enterprise SSD demand.
• Diversification of NAND Flash Applications: In addition to inference, NAND Flash is also expanding into AI training applications, with different technology camps emerging.
• Supply Chain Bottlenecks: NAND Flash supply faces capacity constraints, requiring expansion and continuous technological innovation.
• Market Opportunities and Challenges: Tight enterprise SSD supply presents both opportunities and challenges for NAND Flash suppliers.

Table of Contents

1. Large-Capacity Storage Products Seen with Structural Changes amidst Emergence of AI Inference Services
2. Demand for Nearline SSD Surges as HDD Enlarges in Supply Void
   • Enterprise SSD Price Projection
   • Lead Times/Prices/Mainstream Capacities of HDD & SSD
3. Introduction of High-Capacity Nearline SSDs Reflects Further Improvements in Cost and Performance
   • Proportion of Enterprise SSDs in NAND Flash Demand Bits
4. Diversified NAND Flash Applications: Parallel Training and Inference
5. Challenges and Outlook for Supply Chain
   • NAND Flash Industry’s Overall Capital Expenditure

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