SSD recovery is typically more complex than HDD recovery, and the pricing reflects that. Here’s why — explained plainly.

TRIM erases data that HDDs would keep

When you delete a file on an HDD, the data remains on the platters until something else overwrites it. On an SSD, the operating system sends a TRIM command telling the controller to erase those flash cells. The controller then zeroes the underlying NAND pages during garbage collection. Once trimmed, the data is physically gone — there’s nothing left to recover.

This means the window for successful SSD recovery is often narrower than for HDDs. Acting quickly matters even more.

Encryption is often enabled by default

Many modern SSDs (especially those in Macs, Samsung drives, and any TCG Opal compliant SSD) encrypt all data at the hardware level using AES-256. The encryption key is stored inside the controller’s secure element. If the controller dies, the key must be accessed through diagnostic tools — the NAND chips alone contain only encrypted data that’s indistinguishable from random noise.

Controller complexity

An HDD stores data in a relatively straightforward way: logical addresses map to physical locations on the platters. An SSD controller adds multiple layers of transformation between you and the data: a Flash Translation Layer (FTL), XOR scrambling, LDPC error correction, wear levelling, and sometimes encryption. Each layer uses proprietary parameters that vary between controller manufacturers and even between firmware revisions.

Recovering data from a dead SSD means working through all of these layers — either by repairing the controller or by reverse-engineering the proprietary data pipeline. Both approaches require specialist tools and expertise.

Fewer standardised parts

HDD head swaps use donor drives matched by model and firmware — a well-established process with large donor inventories. SSD recovery often involves unique controller and NAND configurations with less standardisation across models, which means each recovery requires more bespoke diagnostic work.

What this means for pricing

SSD recovery at SouthBit is quoted individually based on the failure type and SSD model. Assessment is free, and our no fix, no fee policy applies — you only pay if we successfully recover your data.

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