If you're after a better option than this one - Just few more $$
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/678513#comment-11653969
Is there any way to tell you have the new SN550 without piping it into your PC?
Long live the A2000
I believe not, markings on the product are identical and performance is the same unless you exhaust the cache with extended tests.
The only thing I had going for me was that I bought it really early on, so hoping it was before they changed it.
i bought the 2TB version and I am sure it is still the old batch “21”, maybe 2Tb is a better option and can still be used in future (3-4 yrs later)
Big difference between sn350 and and sn550?
Be aware that you are most certainly getting the newer batch, which has much inferior NAND (some people even think the new batch might simply be using QLC). You cannot tell easily with standard Crystal DiskMark test due to it ended up testing SLC cache. However, if you have light usage most of the time, then it might still be okay.
Anyway, there is a reason why SN550 is so cheap now. WD even had the nerve to introduce SN570 (which feels more like the OLD SN550, in fact, the SN570 sustained write is still inferior than the old SN550). Don't believe in the marketing BS from WD that if you are unhappy with "new" SN550, they will swap it. People tried and the relevant WD department indicated no can do.