SK Hynix Develops 10nm-Class 6th Generation DRAM '1c LPDDR6'... Product Shipments in Second Half

SK Hynix has developed a 16Gb (gigabit) LPDDR6 DRAM using a 10-nanometer class 6th generation (1c) process. The company aims to address the growing demand for AI computation by providing memory optimized for on-device AI functionality.

On March 10, SK Hynix announced its successful development of the 16Gb LPDDR6 DRAM. After unveiling the product at 'CES 2026' in January, SK Hynix recently became the first in the world to complete development certification for a 1c LPDDR6 product. The company emphasized, "We will complete preparations for mass production within the first half of the year and begin supplying products in the second half, thereby establishing a lineup of general-purpose memory products optimized for AI implementation."

LPDDR (Low Power Double Data Rate) is a DRAM standard used in mobile products such as smartphones and tablets, characterized by low-voltage operation to minimize power consumption. As indicated by the 'LP' (Low Power) in its name, the latest standard is LPDDR6, with the development sequence proceeding as 1-2-3-4-4X-5-5X-6.

The 1c LPDDR6 is mainly utilized in mobile products like smartphones and tablets equipped with on-device AI. On-device AI technology enables the device itself to perform AI functions without relying on computations from remote servers. This allows smart devices to collect and process information independently, resulting in faster AI response times and enhanced personalized AI services for users.

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To optimize for on-device AI, data processing speed and power efficiency have been improved compared to the previous LPDDR5X product. The data processing speed of this product has been increased by 33% over the previous generation, thanks to expanded bandwidth that enables a higher data transfer rate per unit time. The operating speed is at least 10.7Gbps (10.7 gigabits per second), surpassing the maximum of previous products.

Power consumption has been reduced by more than 20% compared to the previous generation by applying a sub-channel architecture and DVFS technology. DVFS (Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling) is a power management technology that optimizes power consumption and performance by adjusting voltage and frequency according to the chip's operating conditions.

The sub-channel architecture allows only the necessary data paths to operate selectively, while DVFS technology enables the adjustment of frequency and voltage according to the mobile environment. In high-spec scenarios, such as gaming, DVFS is maximized to achieve peak bandwidth operation, whereas in typical usage, frequency and voltage are lowered to reduce power consumption.

As a result, the company expects consumers to enjoy longer battery life as well as optimal multitasking experiences, and plans to prepare in line with the demands of global mobile clients according to market needs. SK Hynix stated, "We will continue to deliver AI memory solutions to the market in a timely manner together with our customers, providing differentiated value to on-device AI users."

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