Next-Gen iOS Devices May Have Faster, Power Efficient LPDDR4 DRAM

Apple’s new crop of iOS devices is expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2014. This Summer, at WWDC 2014, its likely that Apple will only make software related announcements. As far as next generation iOS devices are concerned, they may be powered by Apple’s A8 processor. Micron’s LPDDR4 DRAM may be coupled with that chip, and the manufacturer claims its more fast and power efficient than rivals.

The existing A7 powered devices, which include iPad Air and iPhone 5s, come with Elpida’s LPDDR3 DRAMs. Though last July Elpida was purchased by Micron for $2 billion. Apple has been sourcing memory modules from Elpida for quite some time, even for last year’s refreshed MacBook Air lineup.

Matt Margolis, an independent analyst, noted that an unnamed customer paid Micron $250 million for components and has a deal that runs through September 2016. Margolis speculates that this deal may relate to memory modules for next generation products that are due to be released later this year, and beyond. The possibility also exists that Micron’s DDR4 RAM might find its way to upcoming refreshed lineups of the MacBook.

Micron boasts that its LPDDR4 DRAM technology offers better performance and efficiency, capable of providing 10 hours of active tablet time on a 1.5 Ah battery, and 8 hours on a smartphone with 1.4 Ah battery.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Tablets
Tags: iOS, WWDC 2014