Samsung & MediaTek’s Milestone with Fastest 10.7Gbps LPDDR5X

Samsung Electronics has reached a new milestone in advanced memory technology after successfully completing verification of the industry’s fastest 10.7 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) Low Power Double Data Rate 5X (LPDDR5X) DRAM, which can be used across MediaTek’s next-generation Dimensity platform.

Samsung Electronics was founded in South Korea in 1969 and has grown to become a major contender in the electronics market, manufacturing washing machines, freezers and of course, smartphones. 

In January, for the first time ever, Apple beat Samsung to take the biggest slice of the global smartphone market, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Samsung had held the top spot since 2010. But the company might be back on top next year, following a breakthrough in its advanced memory technology. 

Samsung's LPDDR5X DRAM Achieves 10.7Gbps with MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 SoC

LPDDR DRAM is a random-access memory designed for mobile use. The LPDDR DRAM is engineered to use up less power compared to traditional DRAM, extending the battery life of smartphones, tablets and laptops.

While LPDDR DRAM has a low power usage, it delivers high performance with fast data transfer rates, offering a smooth and responsive performance for mobile applications, multitasking and media consumption. LPDDR DRAM modules are compact and their lower power consumption leads to reduced heat generation. 

The 10.7Gbps operation speed verification was conducted using Samsung’s LPDDR5X 16-gigabyte (GB) package on MediaTek’s upcoming flagship Dimensity 9400 System on Chip (SoC). 

MediaTek and Samsung worked together for three months to complete the verification and Samsung plans to release it in the second half of 2024. 

Amid the expansion of the on-device AI market, especially for AI smartphones, energy-efficient, high-performance LPDDR DRAM solutions are becoming increasingly important. Through the validation with MediaTek, Samsung is solidifying its technological leadership in the low-power, high-performance DRAM market and is expected to expand the application beyond mobile to servers, PCs and automotive devices.

“Through our strategic cooperation with MediaTek, Samsung has verified the industry’s fastest LPDDR5X DRAM that is poised to lead the AI smartphone market,” said Yong Cheol Bae, Executive Vice President of Memory Product Planning at Samsung Electronics. 

He added that Samsung will continue to innovate through active collaboration with customers and provide optimum solutions for the on-device AI era.

JC Hsu, Corporate Senior Vice President at MediaTek, shared that working together with Samsung Electronics has made it possible for MediaTek’s next-generation Dimensity chipset to become the world’s first to be validated at LPDDR5X operating speeds up to 10.7Gbps, enabling upcoming devices to deliver AI functionality and mobile performance at a level we’ve never seen before. 

“This updated architecture will make it easier for developers and users to leverage more AI capabilities and take advantage of more features with less impact on battery life,” he said. 

Samsung Electronics Union calls for strike, sparking supply chain concerns

Samsung Electronics is the biggest maker of memory chips, smartphones and televisions on the planet, as well as the largest family-controlled business in South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy. But it is nothing without its workers. 

However, a union representing workers at Samsung Electronics has called on its 30,000 members to go on strike in a campaign over better pay and benefits. This has caused alarm in the mobile sector, due to the potential supply chain problems that this could cause. 

"Samsung Electronics will ensure no disruptions occur in the production lines. The company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union," the firm said in a statement. 

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