The race for Artificial Intelligence is often described in terms of GPUs, high-speed networks, and megawatts. But beneath this shiny silicon narrative lies a less glamorous but much more critical reality: AI is primarily a machine for generating, moving, and storing data. And that’s where Seagate aims to strengthen its position with a highly pragmatic approach: bringing 32 TB (CMR) capacity to three families designed for very different uses — Exos, SkyHawk AI, and IronWolf Pro— with the goal of maximizing every drive bay, reducing footprint per terabyte, and easing scaling in hybrid environments (from data centers to office NAS).
This move arrives at a time when the debate is no longer about if there will be more data, but how much more and at what speed. An IDC study on organizational “data readiness” shows a majority of respondents expect growth acceleration: 66.1% foresee moderate to significant increases in storage over the next two years driven by GenAI, and in five years, the trend amplifies with more volume and larger files (for example, due to the explosion of audiovisual content and analytical streams).
Why 32 TB (CMR) matters more than it appears
In practice, increasing capacity per disk impacts several layers simultaneously:
- Density: more terabytes per rack unit and per chassis, without multiplying chassis.
- Total cost: fewer units to achieve the same capacity typically means less cabling, fewer ports, fewer spare parts, and lower operational complexity.
- Efficiency: when the “cost per terabyte” is no longer the sole metric, another becomes equally important: watts and space per terabyte.
Seagate also emphasizes that this leap is supported by CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording), a detail that is far from trivial for those dealing with sustained writes, RAID rebuilds, or constant workloads.
Three families, three realities: from hyperscale to NAS
Although the headline remains — 32 TB — the focus shifts depending on the environment.
- Exos (data center and cloud): designed for operators prioritizing density, fleet management, and scaling. This is the type of drive often used in platforms where every bay counts and where “massive” storage still relies on HDDs for economy and availability.
- SkyHawk AI (video and edge analytics): video has become an “industrial” data. It’s not just about recording; it’s about retention, indexing, analysis, and increasingly, feeding models. In this context, Seagate positions SkyHawk AI as a solution for NVRs and analytic environments.
- IronWolf Pro (professional NAS): here, the focus is different: collaboration, creative workflows, backups, internal repositories, and gradual growth without always relying on the cloud.
Quick comparison table: what each 32 TB range offers
| Range (32 TB) | Best suited for | Typical priority | Advantages of 32 TB | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exos | Data centers, cloud, mass storage | Density + scaled operation | More capacity per rack/chassis; fewer disks for the same pool | Proper planning of rebuilds/maintenance windows in large arrays |
| SkyHawk AI | Video surveillance, edge analytics, NVR | 24/7 write + video retention | More hours retained per recorder and broader analytical margin | Define retention policies, bitrates, and disk health management |
| IronWolf Pro | SMB NAS, creative teams, IT departments | RAID/NAS + reliability in multi-bay setups | More capacity in existing NAS without immediate upgrades | Check NAS compatibility and backup strategy (capacity ≠ backup) |
The competitive landscape: HDD “ceiling” continues to advance
Seagate’s announcement is also a response to direct competition. Meanwhile, Western Digital has been pushing high capacities in HDDs, recently mentioning 26 TB CMR and higher-density technologies in other ranges. The market message is clear: capacity continues to scale, and storage — even in “legacy” form — remains a strategic piece to sustain AI economics.
What it means for businesses (and what doesn’t)
For corporate buyers, moving to 32 TB isn’t just about buying “larger disks,” but about reconsidering decisions:
- More capacity in the same space allows postponing physical expansions.
- Larger pools require best practices: monitoring, spare strategies, rebuild windows, and solid backup policies.
- In video and edge scenarios, retention is as critical as capacity: it’s not enough to store more; content must be findable, auditable, and exploitable.
Ultimately, the key isn’t just that 32 TB disks exist, but that the industry is adapting storage solutions to the actual data demands brought by AI: more volume, more formats (especially video), and increased pressure to operate efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real advantage of switching to 32 TB in a NAS versus adding more smaller drives?
With the same number of bays, 32 TB increases total capacity without changing the chassis. This can prevent migrations and simplify growth, though it’s important to review RAID rebuild times and backup strategies.
Why is there such insistence on CMR?
CMR generally performs better in sustained writes and typical enterprise scenarios (RAID, rebuilds, constant loads). It’s a crucial detail for performance and operational predictability.
Does HDD still make sense in the AI era if SSDs and NVMe exist?
Yes: NVMe often dominates the “hot tier” (compute and highly active data), but HDDs remain vital for large datasets, retention, and massive storage at a cost per capacity standpoint.
What is actually driving storage growth in 2026?
The combination of GenAI (more data and reuse) and the rise of video and analytics. Recent studies show most organizations anticipate significant increases in storage demands related to GenAI.