Samsung’s AM9C1 is an automotive PCIe 4.0 SSD built on the company’s eighth-generation V-NAND. Announced in September 2024, the 256GB model was designed for next-generation vehicles and on-device AI workloads. Samsung quoted sequential speeds of up to 4,400MB/s read and 400MB/s write in standard mode, with higher figures available through its optional SLC Namespace mode.
What is Samsung’s AM9C1?
The AM9C1 is an automotive storage component, not a consumer SSD intended for a PC upgrade. Samsung described it as the industry’s first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD based on eighth-generation V-NAND when it announced the drive on September 24, 2024. The company positioned it for next-generation vehicles, including systems handling on-device AI workloads. Samsung’s announcement
The AM9C1 combines the NAND with a 5nm controller. Its automotive focus means it is presented with vehicle-oriented qualification and operating-temperature claims rather than as a retail drive with consumer-PC compatibility or a standard buy-it-now listing.
How fast is the AM9C1?
Samsung’s published maximum sequential figures differ by operating mode:
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| Mode | Sequential read | Sequential write |
|---|---|---|
| Standard TLC | Up to 4,400MB/s | Up to 400MB/s |
| SLC Namespace | Up to 4,700MB/s | Up to 1,400MB/s |
These are maximum sequential-performance figures reported by Samsung in 2024, not guarantees for every vehicle workload. Real system performance depends on the host and workload; the announcement does not provide workload-specific results. Samsung’s release Samsung Semiconductor’s product news
What does SLC Namespace mode do?
The drive’s default state uses TLC. Samsung says the system can switch to SLC Namespace mode for faster access and added reliability. The trade-off is capacity: Samsung states that usable capacity falls to one-third of the TLC-mode capacity when switched to SLC. In practical terms, this mode prioritizes performance and reliability characteristics over storage space; it is a system configuration option, not a separate consumer product. Samsung Semiconductor
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- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
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What temperature range and automotive qualifications does Samsung cite?
Samsung says intensified board-level testing showed compliance with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and stable performance from -40°C to 105°C. Those figures are Samsung’s reported qualification and test claims for the AM9C1; they should not be read as a complete statement of a vehicle system’s environmental limits. Samsung’s announcement
Samsung also discussed process credentials and work beyond this drive’s stated qualification. The company cited ASPICE CL3 authentication for its UFS 3.1 product and said it was working toward CSMS certification based on ISO/SAE 21434. These statements are not the same as saying that the AM9C1 itself holds those certifications. Samsung Semiconductor’s release
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Is the AM9C1 available to buy?
Samsung said the 256GB model was sampling with key partners at the September 2024 announcement. It outlined a planned capacity range of 128GB to 2TB and said the 2TB model was scheduled for mass production early in 2025. Those are historical roadmap statements, not confirmation of present-day production, availability, or retail sales. The announcement describes an automotive component for partner programs, and it does not establish a consumer retail listing. Samsung’s announcement
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Samsung’s announcement does—and does not—establish
The AM9C1’s headline is its combination of PCIe 4.0 and eighth-generation V-NAND in an automotive SSD. Samsung also reported about 50% improved power efficiency versus its AM991 predecessor. That comparison is Samsung’s 2024 claim; the release does not provide enough test conditions here to treat the percentage as a universal real-world result. Samsung Electronics
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The cited capabilities make AM9C1 relevant to vehicle manufacturers and suppliers assessing storage for demanding in-car systems. They do not, by themselves, establish endurance figures, data-retention duration, workload-specific performance, current supply, or qualification of a complete vehicle platform; Samsung’s announcement does not state those details. Samsung executive Hyunduk Cho described the company’s aim as collaborating with global autonomous-vehicle makers through high-performance, high-capacity automotive products. Samsung’s September 24, 2024 release
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