BiCS FLASH and V-NAND are the respective 3D NAND brands of KIOXIA and Samsung. Both stack memory cells vertically, but their manufacturers describe different process implementations and generation roadmaps. Neither name, on its own, proves that an SSD will be faster, more reliable, or better value. For that, compare complete drive models and how they perform in the capacity and workload you care about.
What BiCS FLASH and V-NAND mean
KIOXIA’s BiCS FLASH is a 3D NAND design built using what the company describes as a batch-processing approach. Plate-shaped control-gate electrodes and insulating layers are stacked; holes are then formed through the stack and filled with charge-storage material and column electrodes. A cell forms where a plate and column intersect. KIOXIA says this creates cells across the stack rather than adding each cell layer individually. KIOXIA’s BiCS FLASH overview also records its own commercialization milestones: 48 layers in 2015, 96 in 2018, 112 in 2020, and 162 in 2022. Those are historical milestones, not the latest generation.
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Samsung’s V-NAND is also vertically stacked flash memory. Its explanation of 9th-generation manufacturing describes paired oxide and nitride layers, replacement of nitride with metal to create gate word lines, and high-aspect-ratio channel-hole etching. Samsung identifies its V-NAND cells as charge-trap flash (CTF). Samsung’s 9th-generation V-NAND explanation describes that generation’s process; it is not a matched comparison with a KIOXIA product.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →In short, both brands refer to evolving implementations of 3D NAND. The names alone do not establish that a product is better, and the available manufacturer descriptions do not provide a controlled comparison of same-generation NAND in otherwise equivalent SSDs.
#1 Best Overall
- THE SSD ALL-STAR: The latest 870 EVO has indisputable performance, reliability and compatibility built upon Samsung's pioneering technology. S.M.A.R.T. Support: Yes
- EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE: Enjoy professional level SSD performance which maximizes the SATA interface limit to 560 530 MB/s sequential speeds,* accelerates write speeds and maintains long term high performance with a larger variable buffer, Designed for gamers and professionals to handle heavy workloads of high-end PCs, workstations and NAS
- INDUSTRY-DEFINING RELIABILITY: Meet the demands of every task — from everyday computing to 8K video processing, with up to 600 TBW** under a 5-year limited warranty***
- MORE COMPATIBLE THAN EVER: The 870 EVO has been compatibility tested**** for major host systems and applications, including chipsets, motherboards, NAS, and video recording devices
- UPGRADE WITH EASE: Using the 870 EVO SSD is as simple as plugging it into the standard 2.5 inch SATA form factor on your desktop PC or laptop; The renewed migration software takes care of the rest
How their generations compare—and why layer counts can mislead
KIOXIA’s current BiCS FLASH product-range page describes generations 8, 9, and 10. KIOXIA associates generation 8 with CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) and OPS (On Pitch Select Gate), positions generation 9 TLC products for performance and power efficiency in low-to-mid capacities, and states that generation 10 has 332 layers. These are KIOXIA’s descriptions and positioning, not an independent ranking against Samsung.
Samsung’s cited 9th-generation article explains manufacturing details but does not supply a directly comparable cross-company layer-count table. A layer figure is meaningful only with its generation, publication date, definition of active layers, and cell type. Even a higher layer count does not by itself show that a retail SSD is faster or more reliable.
Rank #2
- THE SSD ALL-STAR: The latest 870 EVO has indisputable performance, reliability and compatibility built upon Samsung's pioneering technology
- EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE: Enjoy professional level SSD performance which maximizes the SATA interface limit to 560 530 MB/s sequential speeds,* accelerates write speeds and maintains long term high performance with a larger variable buffer
- INDUSTRY-DEFINING RELIABILITY: Meet the demands of every task — from everyday computing to 8K video processing, with up to 600 TBW** under a 5-year limited warranty***
- MORE COMPATIBLE THAN EVER: The 870 EVO has been compatibility tested**** for major host systems and applications, including chipsets, motherboards, NAS, and video recording devices
- UPGRADE WITH EASE: Using the 870 EVO SSD is as simple as plugging it into the standard 2.5 inch SATA form factor on your desktop PC or laptop; The renewed migration software takes care of the rest
Which is faster: BiCS or V-NAND?
There is no supported universal speed winner. KIOXIA’s explanation of SSD performance factors notes that performance depends on more than NAND: the controller’s data-parallelism management, DRAM capacity and speed, PCIe bandwidth, and NAND interface speed all contribute.
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Some published figures illustrate why generation-specific claims need context:
Rank #3
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
- KIOXIA’s July 2026 BiCS generation 8 brief reports up to 3.6 Gb/s NAND I/O speed and bit density above 23 Gb/mm². Those are vendor-reported NAND technology figures, not an application-level speed guarantee for every SSD using that memory.
- Samsung reported that its sixth-generation V-NAND, with a 136-layer structure, delivered over 10% higher performance and more than 15% lower power consumption than its own preceding generation. That is a historical, Samsung-scoped comparison—not a result against BiCS.
Neither claim is a head-to-head test of complete drives. For a purchase, look for independent tests of the exact SSD model, capacity, and workload rather than inferring performance from a NAND brand or layer count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does NAND type matter when choosing an SSD?
It can be one part of the design, but it is not enough to choose a drive. KIOXIA lists client NVMe SSDs among products incorporating BiCS FLASH, but that does not verify the NAND configuration of every retail model or listing. A product family can also vary by capacity or revision, so check the exact model’s current specifications.
Rank #4
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Compare complete drives on the factors that affect your use:
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- Compatibility: confirm the interface, form factor, and capacity supported by your computer or device.
- Capacity and workload: choose for the amount of data you store and whether use is light, sustained, or write-intensive.
- Independent performance tests: prioritize results for the exact capacity and workload, not just a peak sequential-speed claim.
- Endurance and warranty: compare each manufacturer’s published endurance rating and warranty terms for the specific model.
- Power and thermals: check relevant reviews or specifications, especially for compact systems or sustained transfers.
- Price: compare the actual capacity and model available to you; NAND branding alone does not establish value.
The cited sources do not provide matched BiCS-versus-V-NAND retail-drive tests or current prices, so they cannot establish which brand offers better value or reliability overall.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THE SSD ALL-STAR: The latest 870 EVO has indisputable performance, reliability and compatibility built upon Samsung's pioneering technology.Computer Platform:PC.Encryption : Class 0 (AES 256) TCG/Opal v2.0, MS eDrive (IEEE1667), Environmental Specs - Shock : 1,500 G & 0.5 ms (Half sine).
- EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE: Enjoy professional level SSD performance with 870 EVO, which maximizes the SATA interface limit to 560/530 MB/s sequential speeds, Accelerates write speeds and maintains long term high performance with a larger variable buffer
- INDUSTRY DEFINING RELIABILITY: Meet the demands of every task from everyday computing to 8K video processing, with up to 2,400 TBW
- MORE COMPATIBLE THAN EVER: 870 EVO has been compatibility tested for major host systems and applications, including chipsets, motherboards, NAS, and video recording devices. Interface- SATA 6GB/s, compatible with SATA 3GB/s and SATA 1.5GB/s interfaces
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