While chipsets before normally would use LPDDR4x RAM. Phones are more and more like mini-PCs than phones.
Mediatek announced today, 20th November, that it had validated Micron’s LPDDR5X RAM (Low-Power-Double-Data Rate 5x) used on the Mediatek Dimensity 9000 5G chip, making them the first in the industry to sample and validate this newer and faster technology. For smartphones, currently, this is the fastest.
Micron has shipped the first batch samples of this LPDDR5x mobile memory tech built around the 1? (1-alpha) node. Compared to LPDDR4X technology, LPDDR5x provides smoother and faster processing and can handle high-demanding apps much better.
The new LPDDR5X technology has stemmed from JEDEC’s previous LPDDR5 technology. LPDDR5X was developed from previous technologies like LPDDR4x, LPDDR5, UFS 3.1, and uMCP5.
The company has validated samples supporting data rates up to 7.5Gb/s, while samples with faster speeds, starting with 8.533 Gb/s are to follow. According to Micron, peak data LPDDR5x data speeds can deliver 33% faster and improved performance vs LPDDR5 technology. The peak data speed of LPDDR5 is 6.4Gbps while LPDDR5X’s peak data speed is 8.533Gbps. The main feature of this RAM technology is the high-performance speed while also maintaining and conserving power.
“Innovating cutting-edge smartphone experiences requires memory technology built to address the massive bandwidth demands of the mobile market,” said Raj Talluri, senior vice president and general manager of Micron’s Mobile Business Unit. “Our collaboration with MediaTek to validate the world’s most advanced mobile memory empowers the ecosystem to deliver the next wave of rich mobile features enhanced by 5G and AI.”
Because modern apps and games require highly-demanding specs, it is essential that new technologies be developed in order to catch up to those demands. Many mobile games today like Asphalt 9 and Genshin Impact are used for performance testing as these two are graphic and performance-intensive. In addition to games, users now use mobile phones and tablets like mini computers. They often are used for multi-tasking and therefore, workload intensifies. In addition, many factors of a phone rely on AI, such as Google Lens, camera software and even optimization are concerned.
“Our mobile customers are increasingly demanding higher bandwidth to support complex, data-hungry applications built for the 5G era. With its superfast mobile memory, Micron’s LPDDR5X squarely meets this challenge for flagship devices,” said JC Hsu, corporate vice president and general manager of the Wireless Communications Business Unit at MediaTek. “The Dimensity 9000 will be the first to support this critical advancement of LPDDR5X, giving carriers and device-makers the capabilities they need to deliver incredible 5G experiences at the flagship tier,” Talluri added.
If you can recall, Mediatek is the first company to release a 4nm flagship chip. This was unveiled yesterday and is popularly known as the Mediatek Dimensity 9000. This marks Mediatek as a serious contender in the smartphone game as they grew as the world’s largest manufacturer of chipsets for mobile devices in two consecutive years.
The Mediatek Dimensity 9000 5G is also part of the Mediatek Dimensity 5G portfolio. Their partnership with Micron helps bring new technologies and innovations in terms of imaging, performance, and AI sectors. This new chipset will also be the first to support and use this new LPDDR5X technology. Others may follow suit.