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Not conclusively. A 2023 teardown of a low-cost ShineDisk M667 SSD identified its NAND packages as allegedly SK hynix E2NAND associated with Apple devices, but the chip identity and origin were unconfirmed. The report did not establish that Apple rejected, owned, or supplied the specific chips.
What the ShineDisk M667 teardown found
On August 20, 2023, Tom’s Hardware reported on a Chinese data-recovery YouTuber’s teardown of the ShineDisk M667-120G, a 120GB SATA SSD then selling for about $13 in China. The creator pointed to unusually thick NAND packages and identified them as allegedly SK hynix E2NAND associated with Apple devices. Tom’s Hardware could not find public SK hynix documentation confirming E2NAND. Read the report.
The drive used a Silicon Motion SM2258XT controller, a DRAM-less SATA III controller also found in older mainstream SATA products. That is a legitimate controller, but it does not verify the NAND, firmware, usable capacity, or the seller’s quality control.
What the Apple connection does—and does not—establish
The reported Apple link came from the teardown creator’s identification and association of the packages, not from an Apple statement or a supply-chain record. As Tom’s Hardware put it, “The origin of the NAND is unknown.” Possible routes include surplus from a factory making chips for Apple, a third party handling defective devices, or another surplus or reprocessing channel. None was demonstrated for this sample.
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So “Apple-rejected chips” is an allegation, not a proven account of what happened. The teardown does not show that Apple rejected these particular chips, that Apple owned them, or that Apple supplied them to ShineDisk.
Why reused NAND can be a concern
NAND that does not meet a customer’s specifications or quality-control requirements can be diverted into cheaper products. That does not mean every inexpensive SSD uses rejected flash, but it makes traceability and testing important—especially when a drive is sold at an unusually low price.
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Ars Technica separately reported on CBL Data Recovery’s findings in cheap flash products: investigators found reputable-brand NAND with identifying marks abraded or covered, and sometimes repurposed microSD cards. The chips they tested showed reduced capacity and reliability. Those findings provide broader context; they were not tests of the ShineDisk M667 or the chips in the teardown. Read Ars Technica’s report.
How to judge an ultra-cheap SATA SSD
Do not treat a familiar controller name or a low price as proof of drive quality. Before buying, check the evidence that matters for the specific listing:
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- Model and seller traceability: Look for a clearly identified model and a seller with a credible return path.
- Warranty and support: Check the warranty terms, who provides them, and whether firmware or product support is available.
- Capacity and write testing: Seek independent tests that verify usable capacity and sustained writes, rather than relying only on the stated capacity or a short speed claim.
- Drive design: Compare NAND type and provenance where documented, and whether the controller uses DRAM or host memory buffer (HMB). A controller specification alone cannot authenticate the flash or its firmware.
For an operating system, work files, photos, or other important data, choose a reputable SSD with a clear model, warranty, firmware support, and return option. Keep a separate backup: even a well-supported SSD can fail.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does Apple’s YMTC history confirm the allegation?
No. Apple’s earlier consideration of YMTC NAND is a separate supply-chain episode. Tom’s Hardware reported that the plan was cancelled after U.S. export-control scrutiny and that YMTC products had not appeared in Apple hardware at the time of that report. It shows Apple evaluated another NAND supplier; it does not substantiate the alleged E2NAND in the ShineDisk drive. Read Tom’s Hardware’s YMTC report.
Quick Recap
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
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