UFS 2.1 EFD with 96-Layer 3D NAND Applied
Stable Performance Support for Data-Intensive Devices
Western Digital has unveiled a new UFS 2.1 embedded flash drive (EFD) product, 'iNAND MC EU321', equipped with 96-layer 3D NAND technology. Through this new product, performance improvements are expected for demanding applications such as AI, AR, high-resolution photography, and 4K video capture on high-end mobile and computing devices.

The iNAND MC EU321, based on 96-layer 3D NAND technology together with enhanced UFS 2.1 interface technology and 'iNAND SmartSLC 5.1' architecture, guarantees the data performance required for smartphones, tablets, and notebooks, providing an outstanding mobile experience even when device storage capacity approaches its limit.

Market research firm Counterpoint Research predicts that the average storage capacity of NAND flash storage will show a high compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28% from 2017 to 2021. This increase in average storage capacity stems from the fact that applications related to mobile entertainment and work productivity have become a key use case for mobile devices.

All data-intensive applications require greater capacity and speed to provide the 'seamless experience on the go' that consumers expect from mobile devices. The total storage capacity of all smartphone embedded storage shipped to the market in the first half of 2018 increased by 40% compared to the same period in the previous year. This represents an increase of 51GB per smartphone, and consequently, demand for larger-capacity smart storage technologies is also rising.

Oded Sagee, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Western Digital, stated, "Mobile devices are now serving as hubs of our daily lives," and added, "As the capabilities of smartphones, tablets, and notebooks continue to be upgraded with cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, 4K video, AR, and VR, the expectations of users and technical requirements to meet rich user experiences are also increasing."

He further noted, "Through Western Digital's 3D NAND technology, users can now receive larger embedded storage capacity capable of supporting all data processing that occurs during the entire lifespan of a smartphone," and continued, "Moreover, unlike conventional mobile devices based on existing storage architectures which typically experience reduced speed when maximum capacity is reached, the iNAND MC EU321 is designed to maintain fast performance, enabling users to seamlessly create, preserve, and enjoy their digital experiences."