SK Hynix to Develop LPDDR5M with 8% Efficiency Boost
According to South Korean media Money Today, SK Hynix has been focused on developing a more efficient LPDDR5M DRAM following the release of the world's fastest LPDDR5T DRAM, which boasts a speed of up to 9.6Gbps. The new LPDDR5M DRAM operates at a lower voltage than LPDDR5X, promising an 8% reduction in power consumption without compromising speed.
The LPDDR5M DRAM developed by SK Hynix operates at a voltage of 0.98V, lower than the standard 1.05V of LPDDR5X. This difference allows the memory to run at higher speeds while improving efficiency by approximately 8%. This new memory standard is expected to be integrated into smartphones with edge AI capabilities, enabling them to run large models locally while consuming less power.
However, the report does not specify which smartphone manufacturers will be the first to adopt the LPDDR5M DRAM. Given the growing adoption of longer-lasting silicon-carbon batteries in Chinese smartphones, the LPDDR5M DRAM is expected to contribute to further improvements in battery life.
In a recent earnings call, SK Hynix forecasted low-to-mid single-digit growth for the smartphone market this year, similar to last year's performance. The company noted that the proportion of smartphones equipped with AI features is expected to expand to around 30%, driving increased demand for high-performance mobile memory like LPDDR5X and LPDDR5T. SK Hynix also emphasized that they are preparing for the transition to DDR5 and LPDDR5 production with advanced processes, ensuring their products remain competitive and meet rising demand.
Currently, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix dominate the global LPDDR market. Although exact market share for LPDDR products has not yet been separately reported as of 2024, global DRAM market share figures from TrendForce show that Samsung holds 41.1% (the leading position), while SK Hynix commands 34.4% (second place). It is evident that both companies hold a significant share in the LPDDR memory market as well.
