How do I verify a flash supplier is a real factory, not a trading company?
Ask for evidence a trading company cannot fake: the production steps they actually run, photos of their own line, and the ability to discuss silicon grade and controller selection as engineering decisions rather than price points. A real factory can name the stages from wafer sorting and testing to SMT assembly and capacity verification, and can show the floor where those happen. Red flags are a supplier who only relays orders, who cannot explain how a batch is tested, or who will not state a NAND grade. The cheapest way to confirm is a video call on the floor plus a batch sample you test yourself with H2testw.
Evidence a factory can show
The actual process: sorting, placement, soldering, programming, capacity verification.
Photos or a call from the floor, not just a catalogue.
Engineering answers on grade, controller and test method.
Red flags
Only relaying orders with no view of production.
No statement of NAND grade or test method.
Reluctance to let you test a batch sample independently.
Sources
Figures quoted on this page are from the published reporting listed above. Where a number is an estimate rather than a published figure, it is described as approximate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I audit without travelling?
Yes — a live video walk of the line plus documents is a strong substitute for a flight. See our factory page and ask for a call.
Does a factory always cost less than a trader?
Not always, but a factory removes the relay layer and can answer engineering questions directly, which matters more than a small price gap when the product has to work.
Working on a specification?
Send us the product type, capacity, quantity and target date. We reply to business enquiries within 1 business day.
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