Samsung announces 8GB LPDDR4 DRAM Package for next-generation mobile devices

October 20, 2016 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced today that it is introducing an 8-gigabyte (GB) LPDDR4 (low power, double data rate 4) mobile DRAM package, which is expected to improve mobile user experiences, especially for those using Ultra HD, large-screen devices. The 8GB mobile DRAM package utilizes four 16 gigabit (Gb) LPDDR4 memory chips and advanced 10-nanometer (nm)-class process technology.

Joo Sun Choi, Executive Vice President of Memory Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics, commented: “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.”

According to Samsung, the new 8GB LPDDR4 operates at up to 4,266 megabits per second (Mbps), which is twice as fast as DDR4 DRAM for PCs working typically at 2,133 Mbps per pin. Assuming a 64 bit (x64) wide memory bus, this can be viewed as transmitting over 34GBs of data per second.

While many ultra-slim note PCs use 8GB of DRAM, Samsung claims that its new 8GB LPDDR4 package will enable virtual machine operation* and smoother 4K UHD video playback on other next-generation mobile devices.

Samsung also states that its 8GB LPDDR4 DRAM package provides more efficient power consumption thanks to the company’s proprietary low-power circuit design, which enables the memory chip to double the capacity of the 20nm-class 4GB DRAM package, while consuming approximately the same amount of power.

The 8GB LPDDR4 package has XYZ dimensions of under 15mm by 15mm by 1.0mm, which Samsung expects will satisfy space requirements of most new, ultra slim mobile devices. Using a DRAM package thinner than 1.0mm enables stacking the package together with UFS memory or a mobile application processor, depending on device manufacturers’ preferences, which will allow further space savings on the printed circuit board.

In August last year, Samsung introduced the 20-nanometer 12Gb LPDDR4 DRAM. After a 14-month development period, Samsung is now introducing this 10nm-class 16Gb LPDDR4 DRAM and the single-package solution of 8GB LPDDR4 DRAM.

Samsung stated that it “will continue to rapidly expand production of its DRAM products based on 10nm-class process technology.” And that the company “has been manufacturing 10nm-class DRAM on a leading-edge fabrication line and plans to also use the 10nm-process technology in other fabs in the near future, to meet ever-increasing demands for advanced, high-density mobile DRAM.”

*A virtual machine (VM) is an emulation of a computer system that provides the functionality of a physical computer. Virtual machines allow users to run multiple operating systems (OS) on a single PC.

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Image credit: Samsung