The UFS memory is a non-volatile memory and, therefore, the so-called NAND Flash that is used in low-power devices, but with high performance in its category. Well, KIOXIA has just presented its first UFS memories with MIPI M-PHY 5.0, which will represent a generational leap in terms of the performance of this type of memory.
In terms of storage, the big problem regarding low-consumption products is precisely the power required to transfer data with high bandwidths. It is for this reason that we do not see pocket devices with NVMe memories through PCI Express interfaces and other alternatives are used, with UFS being the most used today, which provides a speed between SD cards and SSDs. NVMe.
What is KIOXIA UFS memory with M-PHY 5.0?
The Japanese multinational has presented its new UFS flash memories built under your BICS 3D process3D NAND, in three different capacities per chip: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Regarding its communication interface, these are compatible with version 3.1 of the standardbut these UFS bring M-PHY 5.0 that allow them to reachr in Gear 5 mode and in single channel 2.9 GB/s and in dual channel 5.8 GB/s. What puts this type of storage memory at speeds typical of a PCI Express 4.0 x2 interface.
If we talk about performance improvements, we find that compared to the previous generation of UFS memory, the sequential reading speed has increased by a 90% allowing to arrive up to 4.4GB/swhile that of sequential write by 70%. If we talk about random access, the improvement is 35% for reading and 60% for writing. At the moment, the KIOXIA UFS M-PHY 5.0 already is being manufactured in densities of 256 GB, while the rest will arrive later. As for the first products that will use this type of non-volatile RAM We will have to wait at least a year. because at the moment there is no processor on the market that uses such an interface and it will take a long time to see it being used in very low consumption mobiles, tablets and laptops.
A qualitative leap in pocket devices
Take for example the about to be released Steam Deck from Valve, where certain variations of it use NVMe memory as a storage method, the use of the UFS M-PHY 5-0 would mean a decrease in the manufacturing costs of a future revision and energy consumption of the device.
With regard to performance, we must bear in mind that ultra-thin, very low-power laptops in many cases use PCI Express interfaces, so the adoption of the new type of UFS can mean, if not an increase in performance, then savings in energy budget. Which can translate into more battery hours or better processors. In any case, let’s not forget that a system is only as fast as its slowest part leaves it. To finish, we must remember that this memory is soldered to the board, so it could be used to create systems without the capacity to expand storage via solid state in order to save on manufacturing costs, as is the case with the