Samsung has successfully built new DRAM that can be packaged as a 4GB module for mobile devices.
The new 8-gigabit LPDDR4 mobile DRAM is built using Samsung’s 20nm manufacturing process, and trumps the previous 4-gigabit DDR3 RAM with double performance and density.
It’s also significantly more efficient than its predecessor, with the 2GB package offering 40 per cent better power usage than the DDR3-based equivalent.
The South Korean firm has just kicked off mass-production for the LPDDR4 mobile DRAM, which enters the market as an industry first.
Interestingly, a quote from the firm’s Executive VP of Memory Sales and Marketing revealed that the new RAM module will pave the way for 4K displays on smartphones.
Joo Sun Choi said: “By initiating production of the 2nm 8-gigabit LPDDR4, which is even faster than the DRAM for PCs and servers and consumes much less energy, we are contributing to the timely launch of UHD, large-screen flagship mobile devices.”
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Samsung has 4K displays in the works, but it means various manufacturers will now find UHD screens a much more feasible option for the handsets of 2015.
He continued: “As this major advancement in mobile memory demonstrates, we will continue to closely collaborate with global mobile device manufacturers to optimise DRAM solutions, making them suitable for next-generation mobile OS environments.”
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While many are sceptical of the need for 4K displays on mobile devices, the use of handsets as slide-in displays for virtual reality headsets would see great benefit from the upped pixel count.
As far as next year’s handsets go, the Xperia Z4 has already been tipped to land with 4GB of RAM, and it’s likely that Sony would’ve known in advance that Samsung was building these modules.
Samsung says it’s going to provide 4GB LPDDR4 packages in early 2015, so we’re sure to see some handsets toting the tech next year.
