Samsung takes a big step in bringing faster RAM to its devices

Several Samsung phones, particularly in the mid-range and low-end segments, still utilize the legacy LPDDR4 DRAM. That may be set to change as Samsung Electronics is reportedly ending production of its LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X modules.

Reports out of South Korea claim that Samsung's memory division has accepted its last orders for legacy DRAM and once they are filled, these products will be officially discontinued.

It's expected that production of LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X DRAM will continue until the end of this year to fulfill these final orders. Samsung is expected to convert the production lines starting in the first quarter of next year.

It's also claimed that Samsung may move its phones to LPDDR5 entirely once inventories of LPDDR4X and fully utilized. This would result in performance differences for later-produced units of devices like the Galaxy A17, which would move from the legacy DRAM to LPDDR5, offering roughly 50% faster speeds compared to LPDDR4X.

Phasing out legacy memory products frees up production capacity for Samsung which it can then utilize for more lucrative and advanced memory semiconductors.

Given the incredible demand for memory semiconductors right now, and the higher prices that accompany it, these initiatives will go a long way for Samsung to bring in even more money from the ongoing memory semiconductor supercycle. Consumers stand to benefit as well, with Samsung moving to the faster LPDDR5 DRAM standard even for its more affordable devices.