Micron shipping world’s first 1-Gamma-based LPDDR5X

Micron Technology has started shipping qualification samples of the world’s first 1γ (1-gamma) node-based low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) memory.

First 1-Gamma based LPDDR5X Credit: Micron

Designed to accelerate AI applications on smartphones it has the industry’s fastest LPDDR5X speed grade of 10.7 gigabits per second (Gbps), and when combined with up to a 20% power savings, it is set to transform smartphones delivering faster, smoother mobile experiences and longer battery life, according to Micron, even when executing data-intensive workloads such as AI-powered translation or image generation.

The LPDDR5X package size has been shrunk to offer an extremely thin package of 0.61 millimetres, representing a 14% height reduction from the previous generation. The small form factor will help to unlock more possibilities for smartphone manufacturers to design ultrathin or foldable smartphones.

The 1γ-based LPDDR5X enables significantly faster AI insights. For example, Micron evaluated mobile AI response times from large language model Llama 2, based on 1γ LPDDR5X’s 10.7 Gbps bandwidth compared to 1β (1-beta) LPDDR5X’s 7.5 Gbps bandwidth, finding:

  • Responses were 30% faster when asking for location-based restaurant recommendations.
  • Results were more than 50% faster when translating a voice inquiry in English to text in Spanish to ask for directions.

Micron’s 1γ-based LPDDR5X is the company’s first mobile solution to leverage advanced EUV lithography, providing customers with early access to the latest performance and power efficiency advancements, based on the industry’s most advanced memory node technology.

This milestone builds on Micron’s February sampling of 1γ-based DDR5 memory for next-generation CPUs in the data centre and client segments.

Micron's optimised 1γ DRAM node leverages CMOS7 advancements like next-generation high-K metal gate technology for improved transistor performance and incorporates leading-edge EUV lithography for enhanced bit density.

As energy-intensive mobile AI workloads are increasingly processed on-device rather than only in the cloud, low-power chips are crucial for devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops, which need to conserve power while performing AI computations.

Consequently, Micron’s 1γ-based LPDDR5X’s significant 20% power savings will allow mobile users to access AI applications, games and video content for longer on a single charge. In addition, as AI intensifies the need for powerful, energy-efficient compute, data centre servers, intelligent vehicles and AI PCs may also increasingly adopt LPDDR5X as a result of its blend of optimised power efficiency and high performance.

Micron is currently sampling 1γ-based LPDDR5X 16 gigabyte (GB) products to select partners and will offer a wide range of capacities from 8GB to 32GB for use in 2026 flagship smartphones.