JEDEC will complete the LPDDR6 standard formulation in 2024Q3

In 2019, the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association officially unveiled the JESD209-5 standard, known as Low Power Double Data Rate 5 (LPDDR5), marking a significant advancement with speeds reaching 6400MT/s, effectively doubling the rate of the initial LPDDR4 standard. This development substantially enhanced the performance of the latest generation of portable electronic devices and introduced novel functionalities specifically designed for automotive applications and beyond.

According to reports from ETnews, JEDEC anticipates finalizing the specifications for the next-generation LPDDR6 standard in the third quarter of 2024, promising to deliver heightened, swifter, and more efficient performance for low-power devices.

LPDDR6 is set to supersede the current LPDDR5, and over the past few years, industry giants such as Samsung and Micron have introduced LPDDR5x, while SK Hynix has offered LPDDR5T, with data rates boosted up to 9.6 Gbps. These low-power DRAM variants have become the preferred choice for smartphones and a myriad of slim and lightweight devices. Late last year, JEDEC launched the CAMM2 standard, presenting a novel memory module design. The LPCAMM2 memory modules, equipped with LPDDR5(x), offer expanded upgrade options for compact devices, and it is anticipated that LPDDR6 will support a similar design framework.

Speculative details about the LPDDR6 standard remain scarce, beyond the expectations of increased data transfer rates and potential enhancements yet to be disclosed. In line with the current industry trajectory, optimizations tailored towards artificial intelligence (AI) are deemed essential. Once the standard is established, leading DRAM manufacturers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are expected to swiftly engage in the development and production of LPDDR6 products. There have been reports suggesting that Qualcomm’s fourth-generation Snapdragon 8 platform will support LPDDR6 this year, aiming to further elevate the performance of its custom Oryon cores.

However, based on historical industry trends, it seems improbable that devices equipped with LPDDR6 will emerge by the end of this year. A more realistic expectation would be the late 2025 or early 2026 timeframe.