SK hynix has announced the successful development of a 16Gb LPDDR6 DRAM based on its sixth-generation 10nm-class (1c) process. The new memory is considered an important step toward optimizing memory for AI-enabled mobile devices, as demand for on-device data processing continues to rise.
The product was first introduced by SK hynix at CES in January and has recently completed the validation process, becoming the world’s first 1c LPDDR6 to reach this milestone. The company plans to finalize preparations for mass production in the first half of the year and begin supplying the market in the second half.
A new memory standard for mobile devices
LPDDR (Low Power Double Data Rate) is a DRAM standard designed for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, focusing on high performance and low power consumption. The standard has evolved through several generations including LPDDR1, LPDDR2, LPDDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR4X, LPDDR5, LPDDR5X, and now LPDDR6.
SK hynix’s new LPDDR6 1c is optimized for devices that run on-device AI, where AI workloads are processed directly on smartphones or tablets instead of being sent to remote servers.
33% faster data processing
According to SK hynix, the LPDDR6 1c delivers 33% higher data processing speed compared with the previous generation, thanks to expanded bandwidth and greater data transfer capacity per unit time. The memory achieves a base operating speed of more than 10.7 Gbps, surpassing the maximum levels of earlier LPDDR products.
This performance improvement enables mobile devices to handle more demanding AI workloads such as image recognition, natural language processing, and personalized AI applications.
Over 20% lower power consumption
In addition to performance gains, SK hynix has also focused on improving energy efficiency. LPDDR6 1c reduces power consumption by more than 20% compared with the previous generation, enabled by two key technologies: the sub-channel architecture and DVFS (Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling).
The sub-channel structure allows the system to activate only the necessary data paths instead of the entire memory channel, helping reduce energy usage.
Meanwhile, DVFS is a power management technology that adjusts voltage and operating frequency depending on the device’s workload. When running demanding tasks such as gaming or AI processing, the system increases frequency to maximize performance. During lighter workloads, both voltage and frequency are reduced to save energy.
Enhancing the on-device AI experience
SK hynix said the improvements in performance and energy efficiency will help extend battery life while improving multitasking capabilities on mobile devices.
As AI becomes more deeply integrated into smartphones and tablets, the need for high-speed yet power-efficient memory is becoming increasingly critical. With the 1c LPDDR6, SK hynix expects to better meet the growing demand from global mobile device manufacturers during the rapid expansion of on-device AI.
The company also emphasized that it will continue collaborating with partners to deliver AI memory solutions at the right time, enabling optimized AI experiences for end users.
