KIOXIA Pushes Performance Boundaries with New Ver 3.1 UFS Embedded Flash Memory Devices

Built on Latest Generation BiCS FLASH™ 3D Flash Memory; Brings Thinner Profile, Faster Read/Write Speeds to Demanding Applications

SAN JOSE, Calif., August 11, 2021 – KIOXIA America, Inc. today announced sampling of its newest generation of 256 and 512 gigabyte (GB) Universal Flash Storage (UFS) Ver. 3.1 embedded flash memory devices. Housed in 0.8 and 1.0mm-high packages, the new products improve performance by 30% for random read and 40% for random write1 – making them thinner2 and faster than their predecessors. The new KIOXIA UFS devices utilize the company’s most current, high-performance BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory and are targeted to a variety of mobile applications.

The broad set of power and space conscious applications that utilize embedded flash memory continue to need higher performance and density, and UFS has increasingly been the solution of choice.  From a total GB perspective, UFS now accounts for the majority of the demand relative to e-MMC.  According to Forward Insights, when combining overall UFS and e-MMC GB demand worldwide, almost 70% of the demand this year is for UFS, and this will continue to grow3.

“Our latest UFS devices further push the boundaries of performance with features such as Host Performance Booster, and are delivered in the thin package solutions demanded by leading-edge smartphones and other applications,” noted Scott Beekman, senior director of managed flash memory products for KIOXIA America, Inc. “We are pleased to continue to demonstrate our leadership in UFS by providing flash memory solutions that enhance the capabilities of the many applications that use UFS.”

The new UFS 256GB and 512GB devices include the following advances:

  • Performance increase of 30% for random read and 40% for random write.
  • Host Performance Booster (HPB) Ver. 2.0: Improves random read performance by utilizing the host side memory to store logical to physical translation tables. While HPB Ver. 1.0 only enables 4 kilobyte chunk size access, HPB Ver. 2.0 enables wider access - which can further boost random read performance.
  • Thinner 256GB package at just 0.8mm height.


For more information, visit americas.kioxia.com.

About KIOXIA America, Inc.
KIOXIA America, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of KIOXIA Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid-state drives (SSDs). From the invention of flash memory to today’s breakthrough BiCS FLASH™ 3D technology, KIOXIA continues to pioneer innovative memory, SSD and software solutions that enrich people's lives and expand society's horizons. The company's innovative 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH, is shaping the future of storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotive, and data centers. For more information, please visit americas.kioxia.com.

Notes :
1: Compared to KIOXIA’s prior generation of 256/512GB UFS
2: In the case of 256GB density compared to KIOXIA’s prior generation 256GB UFS.
3: Source: Forward Insights 2Q21

Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a product category for a class of embedded memory products built to the JEDEC UFS standard specification.

Read and write speed may vary depending on the host device, read and write conditions, and file size.

In every mention of a KIOXIA product: Product density is identified based on the density of memory chip(s) within the Product, not the amount of memory capacity available for data storage by the end user. Consumer-usable capacity will be less due to overhead data areas, formatting, bad blocks, and other constraints, and may also vary based on the host device and application. For details, please refer to applicable product specifications. The definition of 1KB = 2^10 bytes = 1,024 bytes. The definition of 1Gb = 2^30 bits = 1,073,741,824 bits. The definition of 1GB = 2^30 bytes = 1,073,741,824 bytes. 1Tb = 2^40 bits = 1,099,511,627,776 bits.

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  • Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services, and contact information is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable KIOXIA product specifications.