SK hynix Begins Mass Production of 321-Layer QLC NAND Flash

Rhea-AI Summary

SK hynix (HXSCL) has achieved a significant technological breakthrough with the mass production of its 321-layer 2Tb QLC NAND flash, marking the industry's first implementation of 300+ layers using QLC technology. The new product features doubled capacity and enhanced performance metrics, including 56% improved write performance, 18% better read performance, and 23% increased write power efficiency.

The company has increased the number of planes from 4 to 6 for better parallel processing and will initially target PC SSDs before expanding to enterprise SSDs for data centers and UFS for smartphones. Using its proprietary 32DP technology, SK hynix aims to strengthen its position in the ultra-high-capacity eSSD market for AI servers.

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• Commercial launch delayed until first half of 2026 pending customer validation

• Development of the industry's highest-density QLC product completed, commercial launch scheduled for the first half of next year following completion of customer validation
• Expansion of independent operation units ("planes") enables simultaneous large capacity and high performance, optimized for ultra-high-capacity eSSDs for AI servers
• Company to broaden cost-competitive, high-capacity product lineup in response to rapidly growing AI demand and high-performance requirements

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or 'the company', www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has completed development of its 321-layer 2Tb QLC^[1] NAND flash product and has begun mass production. This achievement marks the world's first implementation of more than 300 layers using QLC technology, setting a new benchmark in NAND density. The company plans to release the product in the first half of next year following completion of global customer validation.

To maximize the cost competitiveness of its new product, SK hynix developed a 2Tb device with double the capacity of existing solutions. To address potential performance degradation in large-capacity NAND, the company increased the number of planes^[2], independent operation units within a chip, from 4 to 6. This enables greater parallel processing and significantly enhances simultaneous read performance.

As a result, the 321-layer QLC NAND delivers both higher capacity and improved performance compared to previous QLC products. Data transfer speed has doubled, write performance has improved by up to 56%, and read performance has improved by 18%. In addition, write power efficiency has increased by more than 23%, strengthening competitiveness in AI data centers where low power consumption is critical.

The company plans to apply its 321-layer NAND first to PC SSDs, before expanding to enterprise SSDs (eSSD) for data centers and UFS for smartphones. Leveraging its proprietary 32DP^[3] technology, which enables the simultaneous stacking of 32 NAND dies in a single package, SK hynix aims to enter the ultra-high-capacity eSSD market for AI servers by achieving twice the integration density.

"With the start of mass production, we have significantly strengthened our high-capacity product portfolio and secured cost competitiveness," said Jeong Woopyo, Head of NAND Development. "We will make a major leap forward as a full-stack AI memory provider, in line with the explosive growth in AI demand and high-performance requirements in the data center market."

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM") and flash memory chips ("NAND flash") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

[1] NAND flash is categorized as single-level cell (SLC), multi-level cell (MLC), triple-level cell (TLC), QLC, and penta-level cell (PLC) depending on how many data bits can be stored in one cell. As the amount of information storage increases, more data can be stored in the same volume. [2] A plane refers to a cell and its peripheral circuitry that can operate independently within a single chip. By increasing the number of planes from 4 to 6, the simultaneous read performance of the chip—a key factor in data processing—is significantly improved. [3] 32DP (32 Die Package): A method of simultaneously packaging 32 dies in one package to increase chip capacity.

 

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SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of SK hynix's new 321-layer QLC NAND flash?

The new NAND flash features 321 layers, 2Tb capacity, 56% improved write performance, 18% better read performance, and 23% increased power efficiency.

When will SK hynix's 321-layer QLC NAND flash be commercially available?

The product will be commercially available in the first half of 2026 after completing global customer validation.

How does SK hynix's new NAND technology improve performance?

The technology increases planes from 4 to 6, enabling greater parallel processing and doubled data transfer speed, with 56% better write performance and 18% improved read performance.

What markets is SK hynix targeting with its 321-layer QLC NAND?

SK hynix will first target PC SSDs, then expand to enterprise SSDs for data centers and UFS for smartphones, with a focus on ultra-high-capacity eSSDs for AI servers.

How does the new NAND technology benefit AI data centers?

The technology offers 23% better write power efficiency, doubled capacity, and improved performance, making it ideal for AI data centers requiring high capacity and low power consumption.