SK hynix has announced the development of a 16Gb LPDDR6 DRAM built on its sixth-generation 10nm-class (1c) process technology. The company first introduced the product during CES 2026 earlier this year and recently confirmed that it has completed validation of the new memory design.
The latest LPDDR6 solution is designed for mobile devices that rely on on-device AI processing. Smartphones and tablets are expected to be the primary platforms, where higher memory bandwidth and improved efficiency can support AI-driven features such as voice recognition, image processing, and real-time translation.
According to SK hynix, the new memory delivers a noticeable improvement in data processing performance compared to the previous generation LPDDR5X. The company reports a 33 percent increase in data processing speed, supported by expanded bandwidth and higher data transfer rates per cycle. The chip operates at a base speed exceeding 10.7Gbps, which goes beyond the maximum speed commonly seen in current LPDDR5X implementations.
The increase in memory bandwidth is expected to help mobile processors handle larger AI workloads and improve multitasking performance in future devices. As smartphone applications continue to rely more heavily on local AI processing, memory performance has become a key component in overall system responsiveness.
Power efficiency is another focus of the new LPDDR6 design. SK hynix says the memory reduces power consumption by more than 20 percent compared to earlier products. This improvement is achieved through the use of a sub-channel structure and support for Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS).
The sub-channel architecture allows the system to activate only the data paths needed for a specific workload, which helps reduce unnecessary power usage. DVFS further improves efficiency by adjusting operating frequency and voltage based on system demand. In heavy workloads such as high-end mobile gaming or intensive AI processing, the memory can increase its performance level. During lighter tasks, it lowers power usage to extend battery life.
SK hynix plans to complete preparations for mass production of the 1c LPDDR6 DRAM in the first half of the year. The company expects supply to mobile manufacturers to begin in the second half as part of its expanding DRAM portfolio.
With the growing focus on on-device AI across the mobile industry, SK hynix aims to support future smartphones and tablets with memory designed to balance higher performance and lower power consumption. The company said it will continue working with industry partners to deliver memory technologies that support the next generation of AI-enabled mobile devices.
