China's largest memory semiconductor company, Changxin Memory Technology (CXMT), has announced plans to launch next-generation server DRAM. In response, Samsung Electronics has confirmed it is also developing related technology, intensifying competition between South Korean and Chinese memory semiconductor firms.
On October 14, during the 28th Semiconductor Exhibition (SEDEX 2026) held at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, Samsung Electronics Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Song Jae-hyuk responded affirmatively to a question from Yonhap News about whether the company is developing '4F²' technology.
The 4F² technology is a next-generation design that reduces the area of memory cells, the smallest unit for storing data in DRAM. This technology aims to decrease the cell area by about one-third compared to the currently prevalent 6F² structure, allowing for more data storage in the same area.
In this context, 'F' refers to a design standard used to describe the size of memory cells. The term 4F² indicates an area that is four times the square of F. A smaller value allows for more memory cells to be placed in the same area, thereby increasing density.
According to Yonhap News, CXMT plans to release server DDR5 memory modules utilizing 4F² technology by the end of this year. This has raised concerns that Chinese memory semiconductor technology is rapidly catching up to South Korean companies, leading to a significant drop in stock prices for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which fell by 7.39% and 10.09%, respectively, on October 13.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have been researching 4F² technology for some time. However, the development of technology and actual mass production are separate challenges. They must ensure stable production yields while applying complex cell structures and reducing manufacturing costs. Industry experts believe that domestic companies are not unable to implement the technology but are considering the commercialization timeline based on economic viability and production stability.
At this exhibition, Samsung Electronics set up six exhibition spaces focusing on 'AI system design,' showcasing next-generation technologies, cloud AI, edge AI, physical AI, semiconductor clusters, and cooperative initiatives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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