Samsung and SK Hynix invent new mobile chip

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the world’s two largest memory chipmakers, said yesterday they have both developed the world’s first eight gigabit LPDDR4 dynamic random-access memory (DRAM).

LPDDR, or low-powered double data rate, is a memory chip used for mobile devices such as smartphones. The most advanced LPDDR products previously were improvements on the LPDDR3 line, which first came out in 2011. SK Hynix unleashed an eight gigabit LPDDR3 in June.

According to market analysts, the LPDDR4 will make smartphones run twice as fast on 40 percent less power than the LPDDR3.

Samsung expects the LPDDR4 to replace the LPDDR3 as the flagship product of the mobile DRAM market with its development of an 8 gigabit LPDDR4 chip. SK Hynix predicted the LPDDR4 will be the main product in the market by 2016.

Recent reports by DRAMeXchange, a market data provider, showed that Samsung seized 51.3 percent of the global mobile DRAM market in the third quarter in terms of revenue. That was up from 50.3 percent in the second quarter. SK Hynix held 25.0 percent in the third quarter, down slightly from 25.7 percent. Micron of the United States followed in third place with 22.1 percent.

“This next-generation LPDDR4 DRAM will contribute significantly to faster growth of the global mobile DRAM market, which will soon comprise the largest share of the entire DRAM market,” said Jun Young-hyun, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics memory sales and marketing, in a statement. “We will continue introducing the most advanced mobile DRAM one step ahead of the rest of the industry so that global OEMs can launch innovative mobile devices with exceptional user convenience in the timeliest manner.”

Samsung said it will begin selling the 8 gigabit LPDDR4 mobile DRAM in the first half of next year. SK Hynix said it will start sales in the second half.

BY MOON GWANG-LIP [joe@joongang.co.kr]