SK hynix Begins Supplying Mobile NAND Solution ZUFS 4.1

Rhea-AI Summary

SK hynix (HXSCL) has commenced mass production and supply of ZUFS 4.1, the world's first high-performance mobile NAND solution optimized for on-device AI applications. The solution significantly enhances smartphone performance, achieving a 45% reduction in app launch times and 47% reduction in AI app launch times compared to conventional UFS.

ZUFS 4.1 implements Zoned Storage technology, storing data in different zones based on usage patterns. The solution demonstrates 4x better sustained read performance over extended use compared to traditional UFS. Following successful qualification in June 2025 and mass production initiation in July, SK hynix aims to strengthen its position in the AI memory sector through strategic partnerships.

• Company achieves world-first mass production of high-performance NAND solution products and starts supplying them to the mobile market
• The solution significantly improves sustained performance compared to conventional UFS, reducing app launch time by 45%; optimized for on-device AI and large-scale data processing
• Company aims to strengthen its competitive edge in the AI memory sector through tailored solutions and strategic partnerships

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has begun supplying its high-performance mobile NAND solution ZUFS 4.1 to customers, marking the world's first mass production of this solution.

The solution's adoption in the latest smartphones reinforces SK hynix's technological excellence in the global market. ZUFS 4.1 will enhance smartphones' powerful on-device AI capabilities, offering users an innovative experience.

SK hynix successfully completed the qualification process for the solution in June this year through close collaboration with customers. In July, the company began mass production and started supplying the product.

ZUFS, or Zoned UFS^[1], is an extended specification of UFS^[2] that applies Zoned Storage technology, which stores data in different zones based on its usage and characteristics.

[1] Zoned UFS (ZUFS): First introduced by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) in 2023 as an extended specification of UFS. Development of ZUFS 4.1, based on the JEDEC UFS 4.1 standard, was completed in 2025.

[2] Universal Flash Storage (UFS): A high-speed flash memory storage specification for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Since the launch of UFS 1.0 in 2011, the specification has evolved through versions 2.0 (2013), 2.1 (2016), 3.0 (2018), 3.1 (2020), 4.0 (2022), and 4.1 (2025), with each version significantly improving data transfer speed and power efficiency.

When installed in a smartphone, ZUFS 4.1 enhances the operation speed of the operating system (OS) and improves data management efficiency. As a result, it mitigates read performance degradation over extended use by more than four times compared to conventional UFS, enabling a 45% reduction in app launch times. Unlike conventional UFS which writes new data by overwriting existing data, ZUFS 4.1 writes data sequentially. This data storage method has resulted in a 47% reduction in AI app launch times.

These performance characteristics position ZUFS 4.1 as an optimal solution for today's mobile environment, where on-device AI and large-scale data processing are essential.

In addition, SK hynix has significantly enhanced the error-handling capabilities of ZUFS 4.1 compared to version 4.0 developed in May 2024. By detecting errors with greater precision and clearly communicating the necessary corrective actions to the central processing unit, the latest solution is expected to significantly improve system reliability and recovery performance.

"ZUFS 4.1, which we have successfully begun to supply, is the first solution developed and mass-produced through collaboration aimed at optimizing Android OS and storage devices. Looking ahead, its applications are expected to expand," said Justin Kim, President & Head of AI Infra at SK hynix.

"We will continue to supply NAND solutions that meet customer needs in a timely manner, while strengthening partnerships with global companies to strengthen our competitive edge in the AI memory sector."

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.

 

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SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

FAQ

What is ZUFS 4.1 and how does it improve smartphone performance?

ZUFS 4.1 is SK hynix's high-performance mobile NAND solution that uses Zoned Storage technology, reducing app launch times by 45% and AI app launch times by 47% compared to conventional UFS.

When did SK hynix begin mass production of ZUFS 4.1?

SK hynix began mass production of ZUFS 4.1 in July 2025, following successful qualification in June 2025.

How does ZUFS 4.1 handle data storage differently from conventional UFS?

ZUFS 4.1 writes data sequentially in different zones based on usage patterns, unlike conventional UFS which overwrites existing data, resulting in 4x better sustained read performance.

What improvements does ZUFS 4.1 offer for AI applications?

ZUFS 4.1 is optimized for on-device AI, offering 47% faster AI app launch times and improved data management efficiency for large-scale data processing.

How does ZUFS 4.1 enhance system reliability?

ZUFS 4.1 features enhanced error-handling capabilities that detect errors with greater precision and communicate necessary corrective actions to the CPU, improving system reliability and recovery performance.