Kioxia Unveils 332-Layer BiCS10 Flash, Claims World's Highest QLC Density of 37Gb/mm2
Kioxia has unveiled its BiCS10-generation QLC flash memory, claiming the world's highest storage density at 37Gb/mm2 for QLC and 29Gb/mm2 for TLC across 332 layers. The company said its layer count is 23% below rivals, with cost per GB falling less than 10%, energy efficiency up more than 10%, and reliability up more than 35%. By comparison, Samsung's V10 TLC reaches 28Gb/mm2 over 400-plus layers, while SK Hynix's Gen9 products achieve 20Gb/mm2 to 21Gb/mm2. Kioxia's product is not yet fully released, with mass production trailing competitors.
Kioxia has announced its next-generation QLC flash memory, claiming the highest storage density in the world. Based on BiCS10 technology, the flash features 332 layers, with QLC density reaching 37Gb/mm2 and TLC density at 29Gb/mm2. Kioxia, formerly the flash memory division of Japan's Toshiba, develops and manufactures flash memory in partnership with SanDisk, and its BiCS technology roadmap holds specific advantages in the flash memory sector.
By comparison, Samsung's V10-generation TLC flash achieves a density of 28Gb/mm2 across more than 400 layers, while SK Hynix's Gen9 TLC and QLC products reach 20Gb/mm2 and 21Gb/mm2 respectively, at 276 and 321 layers. Kioxia said its 332-layer flash has approximately 23% fewer layers than rivals, yet delivers a reduction in cost per GB of less than 10%, an improvement in energy efficiency of more than 10%, and a gain in reliability of more than 35%.
Kioxia disclosed these density figures at the recent FMS conference. Samsung's and SK Hynix's 300-to-400-layer flash products are already at the shipment or sampling stage, whereas Kioxia's new product has yet to be fully released, with mass production scheduled for a later date. The technology gap between Kioxia and its competitors will therefore require further observation.
Why this event matters
The event has a measured impact on 1 industry. The strongest current signal is positive for Semiconductor Value Chain, with intensity 60/100 and 70% confidence over a medium term horizon.
Impact figures are analytical estimates that combine direction, intensity, confidence and event importance. They are not investment advice.