Micron Leads Memory Innovation with World's First 1γ LPDDR5X for AI-Driven Smartphones

Micron ships world's fastest and thinnest LPDDR5X memory for 2026 flagship smartphones

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: Micron has begun shipping qualification samples of what it claims is the world's first LPDDR5X memory built on the 1γ (1-gamma) process node. Touted as the industry's fastest LPDDR5X RAM, this new memory technology is designed to boost AI performance and improve battery efficiency in flagship smartphones. According to Micron, the 1γ-based memory modules deliver eye-popping speeds of up to 10.7 Gbps and offer up to 20 percent power savings compared to the company's existing LPDDR5X solutions. This boost in performance and efficiency is expected to be a key selling point as on-device AI processing becomes increasingly central to modern smartphones. The 496-ball LPDDR5X packages, available in 8GB and 16GB modules, are just 0.61 mm thick - at least six percent thinner than competing products, according to Micron. This slimmer profile could enable more innovative smartphone designs and potentially accelerate the adoption of ultra-thin and foldable devices. Micron's internal testing suggests that the 1γ-based memory enables a 30 percent faster response when providing location-based restaurant recommendations and over 50 percent faster results when translating an English voice inquiry into Spanish text for directions. Based on Micron's sixth-generation 10nm-class DRAM node, the 1γ-based memory is also up to 25 percent faster when responding to requests for car purchase recommendations based on vehicle type, affordability, and desired infotainment and safety features. In addition to smartphones, the 1γ-based chips are expected to be used in data center servers, AI PCs, and automobiles. Micron's partners are currently sampling 16GB versions of the new memory, with 8GB and 32GB variants expected to be available when it officially launches in 2026. Beyond its super-fast LPDDR5X RAM, Micron is also developing next-generation PCIe 6.0 SSDs that deliver remarkable bandwidth. At DesignCon 2025 in March, the company showcased a data center SSD that achieved sequential read speeds exceeding 27 GB/s. Micron raised the bar again last month with a demo of the prototype Micron 9650 Pro PCIe 6.0 SSD, offering sequential read and write speeds of up to 30.25 GB/s. However, it's still in the test-bench phase, so don't expect to install one in your gaming rig just yet.

Micron Launches LPDDR5X Samples with 1γ Process

Micron has started sending out samples of their newest LPDDR5X memory, built with the advanced 1-gamma process, designed specifically for smartphones with AI features. These memory modules, currently available in a 16GB size, offer a faster data transfer speed of 10.7 gigabits per second, up from the earlier 7.5 Gbps seen in previous versions. At the same time, they use about 20% less power, which helps smartphones run longer even when handling demanding AI tasks like real-time translation, image creation, gaming, and video streaming. Using the 1-gamma manufacturing process lets Micron improve both the speed and energy efficiency of their memory. This is important because AI-driven smartphone applications need faster and more efficient memory to keep up with the processing load while managing heat and power consumption in smaller devices. The reduced power draw also supports better battery life, which is crucial for mobile users who rely on their phones for extended periods. In addition to performance improvements, the physical size of the memory package has been shrunk by about 14% compared to previous models. This smaller size makes it easier for phone makers to design thinner devices, including foldable phones, where every millimeter counts. While the current samples are 16GB, Micron plans to offer a range of memory capacities from 8GB up to 32GB, targeting flagship smartphones expected to launch in 2026. Providing early samples allows manufacturers to test and incorporate this new memory into their future smartphone designs, especially those focused on enhanced AI capabilities.

Samsung Is Accelerating Development Of LPDDR6 RAM In H2 2025 To Obtain A Lead Against Chinese Manufacturers, Qualcomm Will Be One Of The First Top Adopt This Technology

China's Innovative Memory Technology (CXMT) is aggressively attempting to narrow the technological gap between it and Samsung by having completed the development phase of LPDDR5X RAM. This update must have sent alarm bells running through Samsung's memory division because the latest report states that the Korean giant has gone into overdrive mode in developing its next-generation LPDDR6 memory chips, which are said to deliver more bandwidth while consuming less power. A report from Business Post that was spotted by the tipster @Jukanlosreve mentions that CXMT has already commenced the development of LPDDR6 RAM chips this year, with industry watchers speculating that the Chinese manufacturer could start full-scale production as early as 2026 at its current pace. Not wanting to get left behind, Samsung has accelerated development of its own LPDDR6 RAM technology, with the advantage being that the memory chips will be fabricated on the company's advanced 1c DRAM process. Mass producing memory chips on the aforementioned architecture should give Samsung a meaningful edge over Chinese players. LPDDR6 RAM is expected to be a vital component in a variety of applications, including AI, mobile computing, robotics, and self-driving cars. Mass-producing DRAM is categorized under various technologies, with '1x' being the first iteration and '1c' being the sixth generation. With each passing generation, companies can scale past certain performance and efficiency ceilings. Qualcomm will reportedly be the first customer to incorporate Samsung's LPDDR6 RAM chips to its products, with its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 rumored to have immediate support for this technology, with the SoC expected to be unveiled during the Snapdragon Summit, which will be held from September 23 onwards. No other potential customers are mentioned in the report, but looking at the benefits of LPDDR6 RAM, it should not be long before other clients begin placing orders, giving Samsung a notable lead over CXMT.

Micron Ships World's First 1-Gamma LPDDR5X Memory for AI-Driven Smartphones

This milestone builds on Micron's February sampling of 1γ-based DDR5 memory for next-generation CPUs in the data center and client segments. Micron Technology, Inc. announced that it is shipping qualification samples of the world's first 1γ (1-gamma) node-based low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) memory, designed to accelerate AI applications on flagship smartphones. Delivering the industry's fastest LPDDR5X speed grade of 10.7 gigabits per second (Gbps), combined with up to a 20% power savings, Micron LPDDR5X transforms smartphones with faster, smoother mobile experiences and longer battery life -- even when executing data-intensive workloads such as AI-powered translation or image generation.