The Exos X16 SAS model is the 12Gb/s dual-port version of the 16TB Exos platform. It is intended for enterprise arrays, expanders and multi-path backplanes: a SAS backplane accepts SATA drives, but a SATA backplane never accepts SAS.
Beyond the connector, SAS gives two independent paths to the drive, which matters in multi-path arrays where a single cable or controller failure should not remove the drive from the set.
If the drives go into a branded array, send the array model — NetApp, Dell EMC and HPE validate drive firmware and can reject or flag non-OEM disks even when the base part number matches.