- UFS 5.0 could make smartphones faster than most current mid-range laptops
- JEDEC storage speeds approach 11 GB/s, rivaling PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
- Artificial intelligence tools are now determining how data storage will evolve in the next generation of smartphones.
The next generation of smartphone storage could soon rival desktop-class SSDs. Jhatk is preparing to complete the development of the UFS 5.0 standard.
The specification promises speeds of around 11 GB/s, which beats even some PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
While these numbers sound impressive, questions remain about the actual benefits users will see in the real world, especially with increasing integration Artificial Intelligence Tools in mobile devices.
UFS 5.0 marks a significant shift in performance
The Solid State Technology Association JEDEC, the group responsible for setting memory standards, said UFS 5.0 will deliver sequential read and write speeds of up to 10.8 GB/s.
This is almost double what current UFS 4.1 chips can achieve, thanks to the new MIPI M-PHY version 6.0 and UniPro 3.0 specifications.
The new setup introduces a “High-Speed Gear 6” mode, boosting the speed of each lane to 46.6 Gbps, or approximately 10.8 GB/s when two lanes are combined.
These speeds suggest that best smartphones In the coming years, storage systems may be faster than those currently used in many modern laptops.
JEDEC openly attributes this performance leap to AI's growing data needs: As mobile processors increasingly rely on AI tools for real-time translation, camera enhancements, and voice recognition, storage systems must enable faster data retrieval and recording.
UFS 5.0 is described as “flash memory optimized for AI, mobile and edge devices,” hinting that this shift is less about user experience and more about addressing hardware needs.
However, the desire for solid state drive– Cool performance on phones raises practical issues.
While the tests may look impressive, the bottlenecks in mobile operating systemsthermal restrictions and application-level optimizations can prevent users from noticing a significant difference in everyday use.
It's unclear whether doubling storage speed will result in faster app launches or file transfers, or whether it will mainly benefit background AI tasks.
JEDEC also notes several engineering enhancements, including built-in channel equalization to ensure signal reliability, as well as offering a separate power rail to reduce interference and built-in hashing for better data integrity.
These technical additions are designed to make UFS 5.0 not only faster, but also more secure and energy efficient.
However, the challenge is maintaining these benefits without increasing manufacturing costs or power consumption, which will directly impact smartphone prices and battery life.
Follow TechRadar on Google News. And add us as your preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the “Subscribe” button!
And of course you can also Follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxing videos and get regular updates from us on whatsapp too much.
