LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 | In-Depth Speed, Specs, Phones Comparison

Random Access Memory (RAM) has become a crucial factor for smartphone speed and simultaneously running applications at the same time. Recently we got introduced to LPDDR5 (Low-Power Double Data Rate 5). However, it’s different than the chip to be used inside the Xiaomi Mi 10 which is made by Micron (with the same process of course) and here we will be comparing the Samsung ones.

After two years of being in the market, LPDDR4x which first debuted in Redmi Note 5 Pro, is going to be replaced by LPDDR5 this 2020. Well, we do know that the next generation is always better than the previous one but the question is: How much is it better than the other two generations? Let’s find out in this LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 RAM comparison:

The comparison is between the generations developed by Samsung only.

Also, LPDDR5x is also available now on phones. Here’s a comparison between LPDDR5 vs LPDDR5x.

LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 – Everything We Need To Know

Specs Sheet Comparison

The First Phones of Each Generation of LPDDR

Release Date Comparison

Let’s start the LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 comparison with the launch date of each memory type. The LPDDR5 release date was 19 February 2019. On July 18, 2019, Samsung was the first manufacturer to start production, starting with 12GB capacity/bandwidth DRAM for phones. The prototype was announced much earlier in July 2018.

LPDDR4x was released on 6 September 2016 by Samsung. Later on, SK Hynix announced 8 and 6 GB LPDDR4X RAMs on 9 January 2017.

Last but not least, LPDDR4 debuted on 14 March 2012 by JEDEC. Later on, on 30 December 2013, Samsung declared the first 20 nm-class 1GB RAM production.

Performance (Clock Speed) Comparison

The new LPDDR5 is around 1.5x faster than the LPDDR4x in terms of data transfer. The transfer speed of the LPDDR5 is 51.2 Gbps and a pin clock speed of 6,400 Mbps.

The improved fourth generation ‘LPDDR4x’ is 15% faster in terms of performance (clock speed) than its ancestor ‘LPDDR4’, thanks to the latest 1x nm process technology. 

Finally, the original LPDDR4 is the lowest of them. Being 1.2x faster than the previous LPDDR3 generation, it’s almost 1.5x and 1.7x slower than the latest generation. As said, the older models have a speed of 3733 Mbps, however, the latest one has a speed (4,266 Mbps) equivalent to that of the LPDDR4x. K4F2E3S4HA-GFCL has the same clock speed as LPDDR4x, which is 4,266 Mbps.

So the fifth generation is much ahead and has significantly improved (1.5x instead of 1.2x) from the previous generation.

Winner: LPDDR5

How Does LPPDR5 RAM Achieve This Much Speed?

Previously, the fourth generation of LPDDR4 and LPDDR4x increased its speed from LPDDR3 by using the 32-bit dual-channel architecture (2 x 16 bit). In the case of LPDDR5, we have moved back to the single 16-bit channel, however, the number of banks in each channel has increased to 2x (from 8 to 16)

Since these are DRAMs we are talking about, they are a lot slower than the microprocessors which can create a performance bottleneck. To improve the speed and prevent this bottleneck, DRAM uses a technique called prefetch buffer. Increasing the buffer size further improves this performance.

Samsung’s and Micron’s LPDDR5 memory uses the same 16-bit prefetch buffer as LPDDR4. To improve the data rate, LPDDR5 uses bank grouping (same as LPDDR4).

Summary:

• Down to a single 16-bit channel but the number of banks doubled
• Prefetch buffering added
• Bank grouping (similar to LPDD4) added

Power Efficiency Comparison

LPDDR5 with the new power-saving advancements including DVFS, Deep Sleep Mode, DQ Copy, and WriteX has a power reduction of up to 45% when compared to the previous generation. With an operating voltage of between 0.5V and 1.05V, device batteries last all day.

LPDDR4x is 17% power efficient when compared to the original fourth generation. It operates between 0.6V, 1.1V, and 1.8V.

Last but not least, the LPDDR4 consumes 37% less power compared to the LPDDR3. Its operating voltage is 1.8/ 1.1 / 1.1 V.

Winner: LPDDR5

Why was LPDDR4x released even if we already had LPDDR4?

You might have noticed that from 2006 to 2012, we had the LPDDR generations in a sequence. However, this sequence was disturbed when the LPDDR4x arrived. So why was it introduced? The reasons for LPDDR4x manufacturing were:

• The rising popularity of phones
• The need for better power-efficient memory management aka low power memory (the mobile devices and gadgets had limited battery)
• The smaller size of memory saves space for other components (smartphones were getting more and more compact, advanced, and powerful)

So as a result, we saw one of the LPDDR4x RAM models operate on just 0.6V which was almost half of the previous lowest voltage (1.1V). One of Samsung’s LPDDR4x RAMs, the K3UH6H60BM-AGCL also runs on 0.6V with an incredible 48GB capacity.

Memory Capacity / Bandwidth Comparison

Continuing the LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 RAM comparison, when it comes to smartphones, LPDDR4 has a maximum memory of 8GB in Asus Phone AR in 2016. Then came the LPDDR4x which has 12GB of maximum memory first introduced in Lenovo Z5 Pro.

The LPDDR5 starts with a memory of 12GB. Though even 4 and 6GB of RAM is sufficient in smartphones, however, if the trend of using huge memory continues, we might see phones with 16GB RAM as well.

On the computer level, the LPDDR4 has a maximum memory capacity of 32GB, the LPDDR4x has up to 96GB, and currently, we have K3LK2K20BM-BGCN as the only model for the LPDDR5 which has 48GB of memory. It is expected that the fifth generation will surpass the 100GB memory mark.

Winner: LPDDR4x (at the moment)

Architecture Comparison

Both LPDDR5 and LPDDR4x are based on 64x architecture. LPDDR4x does have some models that run on 86x. However, LPDDR4 runs on 86x architecture because of the time it was released. Since the 86x architecture is almost out, we should assume that LPDDR4 has no use now.

Price Comparison

As its 2020, almost all smartphones have been replaced with LPDDR4x. However, soon, LPDDR5 will replace the LPDDR4x (in around 4 to 5 years). Currently, LPDDR4x is the cheapest one thanks to its availability and compatibility with 64x architecture. LPDDR5 is expensive at the moment and its availability is a problem. As for 2020, we will see the LPDDR5 in flagship phones only.

As of 2023, we are starting to see more LPDDR5 phones featured in the upper mid-end, high-end category. As LPDDR5x is released as well, flagship phones have moved to that generation, making LPDDR5 cheaper.

However, in budget phones and low-end phones, LPDDR4x is still the best option for manufacturers.

LPDDR4 is not used in phones anymore.

Winner: LPDDR4x

What are the Overall Changes in LPDDR5?

According to Wikipedia, LPDDR5 RAM has the following changes:

• The data transfer rate has increased to 6.4 Gbit/s/pin
• Differential clocks are being used
• Prefetch is not doubled again but stays at 16n
• The number of banks is increased to 16, divided into four DDR4-like bank groups
• Power-saving features are introduced including:
  • Data-Copy and Write-X (all one or all zero) commands
  • Dynamic frequency and voltage scaling
• A new clocking architecture known as WCK & Read Strobe (RDQS) has been used

Our Verdict

In concluding this LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 comparison, LPDDR5 is definitely the overall winner the credit goes to its features such as DVFS, Deep Sleep Mode, DQ Copy, and WriteX offering up to 45% improvement in power consumption and 1.5x speed of 6,400 Mbps. It’s expensive and is currently featured in flagship phones, however, at the end of 2020, we might see it in mid-end phones and in 2021 ultimately in low-end smartphones.

Overall Winner: LPDDR5

Bonus: Here Are Some of the LPDDR5 Phones (2023, September)

Almost every high-end and flagship phone which were released from 2020 to 2022 has LPDDR5 RAM featured inside. In 2023 only flagship phones now have the upgraded LPDDR5x RAM.

1. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
2. Xiaomi Mi 10
3. Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra
4. Samsung Galaxy S20+
5. Samsung Galaxy S20
6. Samsung Galaxy Flip
7. Samsung Galaxy Note 20
8. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
9. iQOO 3
10. Realme X50 Pro
11. Redmi K30 Pro
12. OnePlus 8 Pro
13. OnePlus 8
14. OnePlus 8T
15. Royale Flexpai 2
16. OPPO Find X2 Pro
17. Lenovo Legion Gaming Phone
18. Asus ROG Phone 3
19. Red Magic 5S
20. Xiaomi Mi 10T
21. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
22. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
23. Xiaomi Mi 10S
24. Redmi K30 Pro Zoom Edition
25. Xiaomi Mi 11
26. Asus Rog Phone 5
27. Redmi K40 Pro
28. iQOO i5
29. Samsung Galaxy S21+ Ultra
30. Samsung Galaxy S21+
31. Samsung Galaxy S21
32. Realme GT
33. Nubia Red Magic 5G
34. Smartisan Nut R2
35. Huawei Mate 40 / Mate 40 Pro
36. Motorolla Edge S
37. Vivo X50 Pro
38. Vivo X60 Pro/+
39. Meizu 18 Pro
40. OPPO Find X3 Pro
41. Asus Zenfone 7
42. Poco F2
43. Poco F3
44. Realme V5 Pro
45. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
46. Lenovo Legion Pro
47. BlackShark 3
48. BlackShark 3 Pro
49. BlackShark 3S
50. BlackShark 4

FAQs

In short, LPDDR5 technology has provided a waited improvement in the world of DRAMs for smartphones making them faster than the previous generation.

LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x vs LPDDR4 | In-Depth Speed, Specs, Phones Comparison

Summary

LPDDR5 is the winner because of being 1.5x faster than LPDDR4x and 1.7x faster than LPDDR4. It is also 45% power efficient than LPDDR4x.

Reader Rating44 Votes

8

LPDDR5 over LPDDR4 and LPDDR4x

1.5x performance increase

45% power efficient

6,400 Mbps speed

DVFS, Deep Sleep Mode, DQ Copy, and WriteX

Previous Generation over LPDDR5

Cheaper

86x architecture (who cares in 2020)

9

Total Rating