Samsung is phasing out LPDDR4 memory production by 2026, retooling for LPDDR5. This move affects electronics manufacturers and may accelerate industry transition to newer standards like LPDDR6.
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Samsung is preparing to gradually phase out production of LPDDR4 memory. According to South Korean sources, production lines will be retooled for the more modern LPDDR5 standard by the end of 2026.
The company has reportedly already begun reducing output of LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X, and has stopped accepting new orders for these modules. The freed-up capacity is planned to be upgraded for LPDDR5 production, where demand continues to grow rapidly.
This decision could impact a wide range of electronics manufacturers. Companies like Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung Electronics itself actively use LPDDR4X in entry-level and mid-range devices. This memory type is also widely used in single-board computers, IoT devices, and affordable portable consoles.
As a result, manufacturers will need to either switch to LPDDR5 or find alternative suppliers, such as SK Hynix and Micron Technology.
The LPDDR4 standard has been around for about a decade and remains in demand, primarily due to its balance of price and performance. However, the industry is gradually moving forward: LPDDR6 specifications have already been approved by JEDEC, and leading manufacturers are preparing to transition to new memory generations.
LPDDR5 is expected to become the mainstream solution for mass-market devices, while more advanced products will eventually move to LPDDR6.
Chinese manufacturers could fill the gap. For instance, CXMT is already collaborating with GigaDevice, offering the market LPDDR4X, DDR4, and even DDR3 modules for devices not yet ready to transition to newer standards.
Amid the growing popularity of DDR5, some companies continue to support older platforms. For example, AMD maintains DDR4 support within the AM4 platform and is even considering bringing back the Ryzen 7 5800X3D processor.
Overall, Samsung's move away from LPDDR4 could accelerate the industry's transition to new memory standards, but it may also create temporary challenges for budget and niche device manufacturers.