Samsung to retire old LPDDR4 RAM and move production to LPDDR5

Samsung is preparing to retire its LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X memory chips, with production expected to continue through 2026 to fulfill existing orders before the company converts its manufacturing lines to LPDDR5 in early 2027.

This strategic shift comes as the DRAM market experiences a significant price surge, creating what industry analysts call a "memory semiconductor supercycle." By moving entirely to LPDDR5 production, Samsung positions itself to capitalize on higher profit margins during this period of elevated DRAM prices.

The transition will have tangible benefits for consumers, particularly those purchasing Samsung's mid-range and budget devices. Once LPDDR4 production ceases, Samsung plans to equip its lower-tier smartphones with the 50% faster LPDDR5 memory, bringing premium performance features to more affordable devices.

LPDDR5 offers substantial improvements over its predecessor, including higher bandwidth, lower power consumption, and improved efficiency for mobile applications. The technology has already become standard in flagship smartphones, but this move will democratize access to faster memory across Samsung's product lineup.

The timing aligns with broader industry trends toward faster mobile memory standards. As applications become more demanding and artificial intelligence features proliferate in smartphones, the need for higher-performance memory continues to grow.

This production shift also reflects Samsung's strategy to streamline its manufacturing processes and focus resources on the most advanced memory technologies, ensuring the company remains competitive in the rapidly evolving semiconductor market.