Samsung Unveils World’s First 8GB LPDDR4 DRAM Module For Smartphones
It won't be all that long before flagship smartphones routinely wield 8 gigabytes of system memory. In an effort to make that happen, Samsung today introduced what it says is the industry's first 8GB LPDDR4 (low power, double data rate 4) mobile DRAM package. The 8GB DRAM package utilizes four of the newest 16 gigabit (Gb) LPDDR4 memory chips built on a 10-nanometer class manufacturing process.
To be clear, this isn't actually 10nm DRAM we're talking about there. When Samsung says "10nm-class" it's referring to a process technology node that's somewhere between 10nm and 19nm, just as "20nm-class" denotes a process technology node somewhere between 20nm and 29nm. If these chips were actually built on a 10nm manufacturing process, Samsung would trumpet the achievement loud and clear.
Clarification aside, this is still an interesting development. the new 8GB LPDDR4 operates at up to 4,266 megabits per second, which is twice as fast as desktop PC memory running at 2,133Mbps per pin (DDR4-2133). And with a 64-bit wide memory bus, Samsung's new modules can transmit over 34GB of data per second. Not that it really matters for tasks like web browsing, but as mobile moves ever closer to 4K and VR, this will help.
"The advent of our powerful 8GB mobile DRAM solution will enable more capable next-generation, flagship mobile devices around the world," said Joo Sun Choi, executive vice president of Memory Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics. "We will continue to provide advanced memory solutions offering the highest values and leading-edge benefits to meet the escalating needs of devices having dual camera, 4K UHD and VR features."
It's not just smartphones that stand to benefit, but tablets as well. The new memory measures 15nn by 15mm b 1mm, so it's feasible to use in increasingly thin and light devices.
To be clear, this isn't actually 10nm DRAM we're talking about there. When Samsung says "10nm-class" it's referring to a process technology node that's somewhere between 10nm and 19nm, just as "20nm-class" denotes a process technology node somewhere between 20nm and 29nm. If these chips were actually built on a 10nm manufacturing process, Samsung would trumpet the achievement loud and clear.
Clarification aside, this is still an interesting development. the new 8GB LPDDR4 operates at up to 4,266 megabits per second, which is twice as fast as desktop PC memory running at 2,133Mbps per pin (DDR4-2133). And with a 64-bit wide memory bus, Samsung's new modules can transmit over 34GB of data per second. Not that it really matters for tasks like web browsing, but as mobile moves ever closer to 4K and VR, this will help.
"The advent of our powerful 8GB mobile DRAM solution will enable more capable next-generation, flagship mobile devices around the world," said Joo Sun Choi, executive vice president of Memory Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics. "We will continue to provide advanced memory solutions offering the highest values and leading-edge benefits to meet the escalating needs of devices having dual camera, 4K UHD and VR features."
It's not just smartphones that stand to benefit, but tablets as well. The new memory measures 15nn by 15mm b 1mm, so it's feasible to use in increasingly thin and light devices.
