Apple's iPad launch has created an upsurge in demand for mobile RAM, pushing some Taiwan-based memory chipmakers to either ramp up the output or venture into the segment, according to industry sources.
Elpida Memory, which has reportedly landed most of mobile RAM orders for iPads and iPhones from Apple, has recently made a new alignment to its production lines with its fab in Hiroshima to focus on the production of mobile RAM chips, while requiring its partners in Taiwan - Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) and Rexchip Electronics - to supply more DRAM parts, the sources indicated.
Together with demand from the smartphone segment, the global market for mobile RAM chips is expected to top 1.5 billion 1Gb equivalent units in 2010, up 50% from one billion units in 2009, estimated the sources.
Taiwan-based Winbond Electronics is set to receive more windfall orders for mobile RAM chips in 2010 as the company has shifted its focus from commodity DRAM to niche memory products, including specialty DRAM, mobile RAM, NOR flash and graphics DDR (GDDR) chips, said the sources, noting that mobile RAM chips currently account for 16% Winbond's total sales.
Nanya Technology has stated that it will step into the mobile RAM segment in 2010 with plans to begin the production of low power mobile RAM parts in the second half.
ProMOS Technologies is also expected to venture into the mobile RAM sector soon, with production to focus on 128Mb chips initially, using technology licensed from Elpida, the sources revealed.