UFS 5.0 enters final phase with 10.8 GB/s for AI phones

The UFS high-speed memory standard is about to take another leap forward. JEDEC, the organization responsible for chip and storage standards, has officially said that work on Universal Flash Storage 5.0 is in its final phase.

UFS 5.0 will remain compatible with existing UFS 4.x drives while delivering a substantial speed boost—up to 10.8 GB/s in sequential reads. That level of throughput is especially relevant for AI workloads, generative models, and running local LLMs right on smartphones; the added headroom could make on-device AI feel less like a compromise.

The new spec also improves signal integrity with built-in channel equalization, adds a dedicated power line to reduce noise between the controller and memory, and introduces Inline Hashing to strengthen data security.

UFS has long been used in smartphones, laptops, VR headsets, and cars. With UFS 5.0, devices will access data faster than 2018-era laptop SSDs—while keeping power consumption to a minimum. That blend of speed and efficiency is exactly what mobile and automotive platforms tend to demand.

The first gadgets with UFS 5.0 could arrive as early as 2026, and it’s possible we’ll see Samsung, Qualcomm, or MediaTek showcase them at upcoming events.