Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 2TB SSD Review: Reliable but Unremarkable
▼ Summary
– The Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 is a reliable and straightforward SSD with acceptable performance and power efficiency, though it offers only 1TB and 2TB capacities.
– It uses a Phison E31T controller and Kioxia’s 218-layer BiCS8 TLC flash, achieving sequential speeds up to 10,000 MB/s read and 8,200 MB/s write.
– The drive includes a five-year warranty and up to 1,200TB write endurance, and it is supported by Kioxia’s SSD Utility software for management and monitoring.
– Pricing is currently high compared to competitors like the Crucial P510, but it may be more competitively priced and available in certain regions.
– It is best suited for general use rather than high performance or extreme efficiency, offering peace of mind for standard computing needs.
The Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 2TB SSD delivers a dependable and well-rounded storage solution, though it doesn’t particularly stand out in a crowded market. While Kioxia has built a strong reputation through its enterprise and OEM offerings, its consumer Exceria line often goes overlooked, unfairly so, given its consistent reliability and lack of unexpected hardware changes. Performance and power efficiency are respectable, making this drive a safe, no-surprises choice for everyday computing.
Where the Exceria Plus G4 falls short is in its limited capacity options and middling performance metrics. Available only in 1TB and 2TB variants, it misses out on both the budget-friendly 512GB segment and the high-capacity 4TB+ market. Still, these mid-range sizes remain the most popular among users, offering ample space for the majority of applications. Pricing can be a concern, especially at MSRP, though regional availability and occasional discounts may improve its value proposition.
This drive shines as a reliable, general-purpose SSD, ideal for users who prioritize peace of mind over cutting-edge specs. It may not break speed records or lead in power savings, but it handles a variety of tasks competently. Compared to rivals like the Crucial P510, the Exceria Plus G4 holds its own, even surpassing it in certain areas, making it a viable alternative for those seeking stability over flashy features.
Under the hood, the drive uses a Phison E31T controller paired with Kioxia’s own 218-layer BiCS8 TLC NAND, a combination known for efficiency and low latency. Sequential read and write speeds top out at 10,000 MB/s and 8,200 MB/s respectively, with random performance rated at 1.3M and 1.4M IOPS. The drive supports HMB (Host Memory Buffer) rather than including dedicated DRAM, which helps keep costs down. Endurance is rated at 1,200TBW for the 2TB model, backed by a standard five-year warranty.
Kioxia provides its SSD Utility software for drive management, offering health monitoring, firmware updates, and secure erase functionality. This is a welcome addition for a drive positioned in the consumer retail space, adding a layer of usability for Windows-based users.
A closer look at the hardware reveals a single-sided design with a heat-spreading label. The drive supports TCG Opal encryption, though this feature is often omitted in budget-oriented models to reduce manufacturing expense. The use of in-house NAND gives Kioxia greater control over quality and supply, contributing to the drive’s overall consistency.
In summary, the Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 is a solid, if unspectacular, performer. It won’t turn heads with extreme speed or value, but it delivers exactly what it promises: a trustworthy, capable SSD for everyday use.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
