Samsung Electronics has announced a significant milestone in its automotive semiconductor division, marking a new chapter in its collaboration with Qualcomm. On August 28, Samsung revealed that its automotive memory LPDDR4X has obtained certification to be integrated into Qualcomm's premium automotive platform, the "Snapdragon Digital Chassis" solution, and has commenced full-scale product supply.

This development is part of Samsung's broader strategy to expand its footprint in the automotive semiconductor market, a sector that has seen rapid growth due to the increasing demand for high-performance chips in electric and autonomous vehicles. Samsung's LPDDR4X memory is designed to guarantee stable performance in extreme environments, ranging from -40°C to 105°C, and meets the stringent AEC-Q100 automotive semiconductor quality standards. The company supplies up to 32 gigabytes (GB) of LPDDR4X for premium in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, ensuring robust and reliable performance.

Samsung Electronics began its journey in automotive memory production in 2017, becoming the first in the world to mass-produce automotive eUFS (embedded Universal Flash Storage) in September of that year. In July of last year, the company started mass production of ultra-low-power automotive memory semiconductor UFS 3.1, further solidifying its position in the market. Currently, Samsung holds a 32% share of the global automotive memory market, second only to Micron's 44%, according to market research firm IHS.

The partnership with Qualcomm is a strategic move for Samsung, aiming to leverage Qualcomm's expertise in automotive platforms to enhance its market presence. Qualcomm's "Snapdragon Digital Chassis" is a premium automotive platform that integrates various digital functionalities required for modern vehicles, including connectivity, infotainment, and autonomous driving capabilities. By integrating Samsung's LPDDR4X memory, the platform is expected to deliver superior performance and reliability.

"Safety is paramount in automotive applications, and our LPDDR4X memory ensures stable performance even in the most extreme conditions," a Samsung Electronics spokesperson stated. "The Snapdragon Digital Chassis is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality, reliable memory solutions for the automotive industry."

The automotive semiconductor market is poised for significant growth. According to market research firm Omdia, the global automotive semiconductor market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8% from 2023 to 2028, with the automotive DRAM market projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 16%. By 2027, the market is expected to exceed $100 billion.

This year, Samsung plans to mass-produce the next-generation LPDDR5, which will be supplied to Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon Digital Chassis. This move is expected to further enhance Samsung's competitive edge in the market, challenging Micron's dominance.

The increasing complexity and functionality of modern vehicles, particularly electric and autonomous vehicles, have driven the demand for advanced semiconductor solutions. Electric vehicles are said to contain around 1,000 semiconductor chips, while autonomous vehicles may require 1,000 to 2,000 or more. This trend underscores the importance of high-performance memory products like those developed by Samsung.

By: DocMemory
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