It has been shown that the hard disk market is continuously shrinking as global hard disk sales have plummeted.

According to market research firm IDC, global hard disk shipments in the first quarter of 2021 totaled 64.71 million units, down 8.4% from the previous quarter.

Seagate, a leading hard disk manufacturer, recorded 27.54 million units in the first quarter, a 7.7% decrease from the previous quarter. Its market share is 42.9%. Total shipment capacity was recorded at 139.5 EB.

Western Digital's shipments fell 9.9% from the previous quarter to 23.09 million units. Its market share is 36%. Total shipment capacity is 109.04 EB.

Toshiba shipped 13.54 million units, down 7.5% from the previous quarter. Its market share is 21.1%. Total shipment capacity is 39.74 EB.

Total shipments from the three companies amounted to 64.17 million units, an 8.4% decrease from the previous quarter. On the other hand, hard disk capacity increased, bringing the total shipment capacity to 288.28 EB.

The decline in hard disk shipments is attributed to decreases of 8.8% in desktop and 15.2% in mobile. While these sectors are being eroded by SSDs, enterprise hard disk shipments surged by 19.3%. It is also acting as a pillar of support, accounting for 197.16 EB of shipment capacity.