Samsung’s Modular Car SSD Could Change Everything

According to HotHardware, Samsung is unveiling two groundbreaking storage products at CES in January 2026. The Detachable AutoSSD targets automotive applications with a modular E1.A form factor that separates the controller and NAND flash memory. This design improves heat dissipation, extends product life, and simplifies upgrades in vehicles. Meanwhile, the PM9E1 SSD claims to be the world’s first PCIe Gen5 drive in an ultra-compact 22mm x 42mm M.2 form factor specifically for AI PCs. It delivers sequential read/write speeds up to 14.8GB/s and 13.4GB/s with capacities reaching 4TB. Both products represent Samsung’s push into specialized, high-performance storage markets beyond traditional computing.

Why modular matters

Here’s the thing about Samsung‘s Detachable AutoSSD – it’s solving a problem most people don’t even realize exists. Cars are becoming rolling computers with increasingly sophisticated infotainment systems, autonomous driving features, and over-the-air updates. And unlike your laptop where you can just pop in a new SSD, automotive storage has traditionally been embedded and permanent. But what happens when that storage wears out or needs more capacity? Basically, you’re looking at expensive component replacement.

Samsung’s approach separates the brains (controller) from the storage (NAND), which is genuinely clever. The controller handles all the processing and interface work, while the NAND chips store the actual data. By making these components detachable, you could theoretically upgrade just the storage without replacing the entire unit. That’s huge for automotive applications where reliability and longevity matter.

Consumer potential

Now, the obvious question: will we see this in PCs? Probably not anytime soon. Samsung would have a tough sell convincing PC users they need modular SSDs when current M.2 drives are already so easy to replace. The cost savings just aren’t there for consumer applications – most of the expense is in the controller and NAND anyway, not the PCB or housing.

But for industrial and automotive applications? That’s a different story. Think about systems that need to run 24/7 in harsh conditions. IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, understands this better than anyone – their customers need reliable, upgradeable components that can withstand extreme environments. Samsung’s automotive-grade connector and shock-resistant design make perfect sense in contexts where failure isn’t an option.

Speed demon

Let’s talk about that PM9E1 for a moment. PCIe Gen5 speeds in a package smaller than most current M.2 drives? That’s impressive engineering. 14.8GB/s read speeds in something that compact could seriously change how we design compact computing systems. AI PCs need fast storage to handle model loading and data processing, and Samsung seems to be delivering exactly what that market requires.

The combination of Samsung’s Presto controller with V8 TLC V-NAND suggests they’re leveraging their vertical integration advantage. When you control both the controller design and NAND production, you can optimize performance in ways competitors can’t match. It’s a strategic move that keeps Samsung ahead in the high-performance storage race.

Bigger picture

What’s really interesting here is how Samsung is segmenting its storage business. They’re not just making faster versions of the same thing – they’re creating specialized solutions for specific markets. Automotive storage has different requirements than AI PC storage, which has different needs than data center storage.

And timing this for CES 2026 gives them a solid runway to work with automotive manufacturers and PC makers. These aren’t products you can just drop into existing systems – they require platform support and integration. By announcing now, Samsung is signaling where the industry should be looking two years from now. It’s smart positioning that could pay off significantly if these form factors become standards in their respective markets.