Samsung confirms 4F² DRAM development as CXMT targets year-end server memory launch
In short
Samsung said on October 14 that it is developing 4F² DRAM technology, after China's CXMT announced plans to launch server memory using the structure by the end of 2026. CXMT has not disclosed detailed specifications or a launch date, and industry observers say its mass-production capability remains uncertain.
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Samsung said on October 14 that it is developing 4F² DRAM technology, as China's CXMT prepares a server-memory product based on the same cell structure. Samsung's chief technology officer Song Jae-hyeok (송재혁) made the comments while touring SEDEX 2026 at COEX in Seoul. Asked whether Samsung was developing the technology, he said it was and that work was proceeding. [ 25 , 26 ]
CXMT said it plans to introduce DDR5 RDIMM server memory using 4F² by the end of 2026. Maeil Business and Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that company president Cao Kanyu (曹堪宇) announced the plan at an industry conference in Shanghai on October 10. AI Times dated the announcement to October 9. CXMT said its independently developed vertical surrounding-gate transistor had enabled progress on the structure and that it had redesigned key manufacturing steps. [ 2 , 3 , 22 ]
The 4F² design reduces the area occupied by a memory cell compared with the 6F² structure commonly used in commercial DRAM. Asia Economy reported that cell area could be reduced by about 33%, allowing more data to be stored in the same area, although the actual density improvement depends on product design and manufacturing processes. Yonhap reported that CXMT described its vertical transistor as a way to reduce leakage current and increase memory density. [ 1 , 4 ]
Server memory has been dominated by Samsung, SK hynix and Micron, while CXMT has concentrated on consumer electronics, Yonhap reported. However, CXMT has not disclosed detailed product specifications, a launch date or mass-production scale. Industry observers cited by Chosun Ilbo said compatibility with processors and motherboards, production yields and reliability remain challenges. Seoul Economic Daily also quoted industry observers cautioning that a newer technology generation does not necessarily mean better memory performance. [ 4 , 6 , 14 ]
Why it matters
The announcement brings CXMT into competition in server memory, a market led by Samsung, SK hynix and Micron. Korean industry observers caution that introducing a new structure does not establish reliable mass production or superior performance.
Key facts
- CXMT plans to launch DDR5 RDIMM server memory using a 4F² structure by the end of 2026. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Samsung's chief technology officer Song Jae-hyeok (송재혁) said on October 14 that Samsung is developing 4F² technology. [ 25 , 26 ]
- The 4F² structure reduces memory-cell area relative to the widely used 6F² design. [ 1 , 4 , 14 ]
- CXMT has not disclosed detailed specifications, a launch date or mass-production scale. [ 14 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether CXMT can achieve stable mass production and the promised performance. The company has not disclosed detailed specifications or production scale, and industry observers say yields and reliability still need to be assessed.
- The exact day CXMT announced its plan in Shanghai. Several reports give October 10, while AI Times gives October 9.