Which is better, Samsung 990 PRO 2TB or Crucial T500 2TB? July 2026 side-by-side with prices, specs, and verdict.
A like-for-like comparison: both drives target the same buyer segment at the same Gen 4 2 TB class. The interesting question becomes which manufacturer's implementation aged better.
Hardware-wise, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB runs on Samsung's 8nm Pascal controller, the silicon powering the 990 PRO line. The Crucial T500 2TB pairs Phison's E25 silicon, found in many DRAM-equipped Gen 4 SSDs.
If this purchase is for a PS5 storage expansion, the comparison flattens — Sony's PCIe Gen 4 controller normalizes both Samsung 990 PRO 2TB and Crucial T500 2TB to roughly equal in-game load times. The cheaper drive is the smart pick. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
How do these two fit the wider Gen 4 2 TB field? Out of 11 tracked drives, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is #10 on $/TB and the Crucial T500 2TB is #9. Neither is a value leader right now — if $/TB is your priority, check the cheaper alternatives below before committing.
As of July 27, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB and Crucial T500 2TB on $/TB:
Samsung's PRO line has the longest track record for firmware reliability — over a decade of consumer SSDs with global RMA support.
Lean toward the Crucial T500 2TB when the lower retail price ($369 vs $388), and better $/TB economics ($184.50/TB) top your priority list. Crucial typically delivers the best $/TB among DRAM-equipped NVMes because Micron sells direct rather than going through brand licensing.