The 238-layer NAND, despite being the smallest in size, offers a 34% increase in manufacturing efficiency compared to the previous generation, resulting in enhanced cost competitiveness. Moreover, it boasts a data transfer speed of 2.4 Gb per second, a 50% improvement over the previous generation, and approximately 20% faster read and write speeds. 

SK hynix has announced the initiation of mass production for its 238-layer 4D NAND Flash memory, following its development in August 2022. The company is currently conducting product compatibility tests with a leading global smartphone manufacturer. Leveraging the 238-layer NAND technology, SK hynix has developed solution products for smartphones and client SSDs, which serve as storage devices for PCs. Mass production of these products began in May.

With its world-class competitiveness in terms of price, performance, and quality for both the 238-layer and previous-generation 176-layer NAND, SK hynix anticipates that these products will drive improved earnings in the second half of the year. Once the product compatibility test with the global smartphone manufacturer is concluded, SK hynix will commence the supply of the 238-layer NAND product for smartphones. Furthermore, the company plans to expand the utilization of this technology across its product portfolio, including PCIe 5.0 SSDs and high-capacity server SSDs.

Jumsoo Kim, Head of S238 NAND at SK hynix, expressed the company's commitment to overcoming NAND technology limitations and increasing competitiveness to achieve a greater turnaround than its competitors during the anticipated market rebound.