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| The 32TB Seagate SkyHawk AI hard drive utilizes Mozaic 3+ technologies for high-density storage of surveillance videos. |
January 15, 2026 – In a landmark announcement for the data storage industry, Seagate Technology has officially launched the world’s first 32 terabyte (TB) hard drives, bringing unprecedented capacity to three critical market segments. The new drives, available across the Exos data center, IronWolf Pro NAS, and SkyHawk AI surveillance product lines, are powered by the company’s groundbreaking Mozaic 3+ platform, promising to reshape how businesses and professionals manage massive data growth.
This move marks a significant leap from the previous 30TB barrier and represents the most capacious commercial hard drives ever brought to market.
The Engine Behind the Capacity: Mozaic 3+
The heart of this achievement is Seagate’s Mozaic 3+ technology, initially proven in its 30TB Exos drives. The key innovation is the use of Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), which employs a tiny, integrated plasmonic laser writer. This laser momentarily heats a microscopic spot on the disk platter, allowing data bits to be written with extreme precision at densities previously impossible with conventional methods.
“This isn’t just an incremental bump in capacity; it’s the result of a decade of physics and engineering innovation,” explained a Seagate spokesperson. “Mozaic 3+ allows us to pack more data onto every platter while maintaining reliability, which is a game-changer for customers facing exponential data creation.”
All drives utilize Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) architecture, ensuring compatibility and predictable performance in multi-drive environments.
Three Lines, One Mission: Optimized for Every Workload
While the core Mozaic 3+ technology is consistent, Seagate has meticulously tuned each product line’s firmware, electronics, and caching algorithms for its specific mission.
- Exos® 32TB: Built for the hyperscale data center, the focus here is on extreme efficiency and total cost of ownership. These drives are engineered for low power consumption per terabyte, a critical factor for operators running thousands of drives. They are the workhorses for cloud storage, cold data archives, and large-scale backup.
- IronWolf Pro® 32TB: Designed for creative professionals and small-to-medium businesses running powerful Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems. These drives are optimized for NAS compatibility, low vibration, and high workload rates (up to 550 TB/year). They include IronWolf Health Management for pre-failure warning and data recovery options, crucial for protecting valuable creative assets or business data.
- SkyHawk AI® 32TB: Tailored for the modern, AI-powered surveillance landscape. This model excels at handling multiple, concurrent high-resolution video streams alongside the intensive data flows from AI analytics processors at the edge. With a workload rate rating suited for 24/7/365 operation, it’s built to manage the dual load of recording video and analyzing it in real-time. For more details on this AI-optimized powerhouse, visit the official SkyHawk AI product page.
Built to Last: Reliability and Performance
All three 32TB models are helium-sealed for reduced drag and improved power efficiency. They boast a robust 2.5 million hour Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) rating and are validated for workloads of up to 550 TB written per year. Performance is formidable, with the SkyHawk AI model delivering sustained transfer rates up to 285 MB/s while averaging just 8.2 watts of power—a testament to the efficiency of the Mozaic 3+ platform.
Pricing, Availability, and Industry Impact
Seagate has set the following Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP):
- SkyHawk AI 32TB: $699.99
- Exos 32TB: $729.99
- IronWolf Pro 32TB: $849.99
The drives began shipping to channel partners and retailers globally on January 14, 2026. You can read Seagate’s official announcement regarding global availability on their news portal. Consumers and businesses can purchase the drives through authorized Seagate dealers, including the convenient Seagate store on Amazon.
Industry analysts see this launch as a critical inflection point. "Seagate's 32TB drives bring HAMR technology into the mainstream commercial market," said storage analyst Mark Johnson. "This validates the technology roadmap and provides a tangible solution for the zettabyte-scale data era, particularly for AI training data, video archives, and comprehensive backup strategies. It pressures the entire industry to accelerate its own roadmaps."
With this launch, Seagate solidifies its leadership in high-capacity storage, offering a clear path forward for organizations drowning in data but thirsty for efficiency and performance.