DDR4 RAM, launched in 2014, has been a reliable industry standard for over a decade. However, its lifecycle is nearing its end. Samsung has announced it will stop accepting new orders for 8GB and 16GB DDR4 modules starting in June, and it plans to halt production entirely by the end of 2025. The South Korean company will shift its focus to producing DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory for consumer devices, as well as HBM for graphics cards.
Despite being 11 years old, DDR4 remains a solid choice for users seeking mid-range systems at affordable prices. While its performance falls short of DDR5, it still meets the needs of many consumers.
However, the decision by Samsung — echoed by industry giants Hynix and Micron — is driven less by performance concerns and more by economic and strategic reasons. According to DigiTimes Asia, the main goal is to free up manufacturing capacity for newer technologies like DDR5, which yield higher profit margins.
Adding to the pressure, Chinese manufacturers such as CXMT and Fujian Jinhua have disrupted the market. Over the past year, they have slashed DDR4 prices by up to 50%, aiming to seize a dominant market position. CXMT plans to ramp up DDR4 production in 2025, capitalizing on the retreat of major competitors.
This shift could ensure continued availability of DDR4 modules in the short term, although with some caveats. As these Chinese firms are largely unknown outside of China, the quality and performance of their memory products remain largely unverified by international media, raising questions about their reliability.
With the launch of DDR6 expected between late 2025 and early 2026, DDR4 still has a couple of years left in the market. However, its phase-out now seems inevitable.
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