SSD Data Recovery
Samsung Phoenix Controller Data RecoverySamsung 970 EVO / Samsung 970 EVO Plus (original revision) / Samsung 970 PRO (MLC)
Samsung's Phoenix controller powers the 970 EVO and 970 PRO; two of the most popular NVMe Gen3 drives. Later 970 EVO Plus production silently switched to the Elpis controller, which runs 10-20 degrees hotter. Identifying the actual controller is the first step in recovery. We recover Samsung Phoenix Controller-based SSDs using our PC-3000 system's Samsung-specific firmware tools at our Austin lab.
Samsung Phoenix Controller Technical Details
Samsung's Phoenix controller powers the 970 EVO and 970 PRO; two of the most popular NVMe Gen3 drives. Later 970 EVO Plus production silently switched to the Elpis controller, which runs 10-20 degrees hotter. Identifying the actual controller is the first step in recovery.
Samsung Phoenix Controller Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Samsung
- Interface
- NVMe Gen3
- DRAM Cache
- Yes
- Channels
- 8-channel
- NAND Types
- MLC3D TLC
14nm controller. Later 970 EVO Plus revisions silently switched to Elpis.
Recovery Feasibility
14nm controller. Later 970 EVO Plus revisions silently switched to Elpis.
Drives Using the Samsung Phoenix Controller
The following consumer SSDs use the Samsung Phoenix Controller. If your drive is on this list, the failure modes and recovery approaches described on this page apply to your situation.
Samsung Phoenix Controller Drive Models
3 models affected
Failure Modes
Each failure mode has a different root cause and requires a different recovery approach. Identifying the correct failure mode is the first step in any recovery.
Firmware corruption from power loss
Generally reliable but vulnerable to firmware corruption from sudden power loss during writes.
Symptoms you may notice
- NVMe SSD not detected after power loss
- Drive not seen in BIOS
- Samsung Magician cannot detect drive
Related search terms
Thermal throttling on sustained writes
14nm controller runs warm under sustained write loads. Repeated thermal throttling can degrade firmware stability.
Symptoms you may notice
- Performance drops during large writes
- Drive overheating
- Thermal warnings in monitoring software
Related search terms
How We Recover Samsung Phoenix Controller SSDs
Firmware-Level Recovery
We recover Samsung Phoenix Controller-based SSDs using the PC-3000 SSD system with the Samsung Active Utility. This provides direct access to the controller's diagnostic interface for firmware repair and FTL (Flash Translation Layer) reconstruction.
Firmware-level access preserves the NAND chip layout and avoids the complications of chip-off recovery. For most Samsung Phoenix Controller failures, this is the primary recovery path.
Chip-Off Recovery
Chip-off is possible but complicated for Samsung Phoenix Controller drives. Hardware encryption or proprietary NAND encoding reduces chip-off success rates compared to firmware-level recovery.
We attempt firmware-level recovery first and only proceed to chip-off when no other option exists.
14nm controller. Later 970 EVO Plus revisions silently switched to Elpis.
Pricing
SSD firmware and logical recovery for the Samsung Phoenix Controller typically costs $300 to $500. Controller-level failures requiring advanced diagnostics are $500 to $1,500. Chip-off recovery, when viable, is $1,500 to $2,500.
See our full pricing breakdown for details. Our No Data, No Fee guarantee means you pay nothing if we cannot recover your files.
Hard Drive Data Recovery Standards & Verification
Our Austin lab operates on a transparency-first model. We use industry-standard recovery tools, including PC-3000 and DeepSpar, combined with strict environmental controls to make sure your hard drive is handled safely and properly. This approach allows us to serve clients nationwide with consistent technical standards.
Open-drive work is performed in a laminar-flow bench filtered to 0.02 µm, verified using TSI P-Trak instrumentation.
Transparent History
Serving clients nationwide via mail-in service since 2008.
Media Coverage
Our repair work has been covered by The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider, with CBC News reporting on our pricing transparency. Louis Rossmann has testified in Right to Repair hearings in multiple states and founded the Repair Preservation Group.
Aligned Incentives
Our "No Data, No Charge" policy means we assume the risk of the recovery attempt, not the client.
Technical Oversight
Louis Rossmann
Louis Rossmann's well trained staff review our lab protocols to ensure technical accuracy and honest service. Since 2008, his focus has been on clear technical communication and accurate diagnostics rather than sales-driven explanations.
We believe in proving standards rather than just stating them. We use TSI P-Trak instrumentation to verify that clean-air benchmarks are met before any drive is opened.
See our clean bench validation data and particle test videoFrequently Asked Questions
Can power loss permanently damage a Samsung 970 EVO?
Does thermal throttling cause permanent damage to Samsung 970 drives?
How do I know if my 970 EVO Plus has the Phoenix or Elpis controller?
Is the Samsung 970 PRO with MLC NAND more reliable?
How much does Samsung 970 EVO data recovery cost?
Other Samsung Controllers
We also recover SSDs using these Samsung controllers.
Not an SSD issue? We also recover hard drives, RAID arrays, and iPhones.
SSD Recovery Overview →Nationwide Mail-In Data Recovery Service
We serve all 50 states with secure mail-in data recovery. Ship your failed drive to our Austin lab using our free shipping kit, and we'll diagnose it within 24-48 hours. No geographic limitations—we've successfully recovered data for customers from Alaska to Florida.
Popular Service Areas
Samsung Phoenix Controller SSD not working?
Ship it to our Austin lab for a free evaluation. No data, no charge.