UFS 5.0 is a new standard for embedded flash storage currently being developed by JEDEC to meet the performance requirements of next-generation mobile devices, such as high-end smartphones equipped with integrated AI features. It uses MIPI M-PHY version 6.0 for the physical layer and UniPro version 3.0 for the protocol. M-PHY version 6.0 introduces the new HS-GEAR6 mode, which theoretically supports an interface speed of up to 46.6 Gbps per lane; with two lanes, UFS 5.0 can achieve an effective read/write throughput of approximately 10.8 GB/s. The evaluation samples incorporate a newly developed in-house controller for UFS 5.0 and KIOXIA's eighth-generation BiCS FLASH™ and are available in 512 GB and 1 TB capacities.

The package has been recently redesigned with a reduced size of 7.5 x 13 mm, contributing to board space efficiency and design flexibility. Samples are being provided to customers developing UFS 5.0-compatible host systems, enabling them to evaluate performance and conduct interoperability tests. KIOXIA will continue to introduce new flash memory technologies in its UFS products to meet the growing demand for higher capacity and performance in the mobile market.

“As large language models (LLMs) move to mobile devices, storage needs to behave more like high-speed system memory to avoid processing bottlenecks,” said Axel Störmann, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of KIOXIA Europe. “The high data transfer throughput of KIOXIA enables faster task completion and quicker device return to a low-power idle state. This high efficiency and fast processing speed are an essential combination for customers developing generative AI applications on battery-powered devices.”