Samsung Electronics announced that it sold its 10 millionth (256Mb equivalent) DDR2 DRAM chip in July, leading the latest transition in the mainstream memory market.

R&D began in 1998, and by May 2002 the company had completed the world's first 512Mb DDR2 SDRAM. In October 2003, Samsung also became the first to ship mass-produced DDR2s.

Following the launch of chipsets supporting DDR2 technology in June, Samsung's aggregate DDR2 sales broke 10 million units last July.

The lower voltage rate of 1.8V and faster performance of beyond DDR533 requires a finer geometry of 0.11um and beyond for DDR2 SDRAM production. Samsung's successful breakthrough in advanced process technology enabled the company to command a competitive edge in addressing the DDR2 market as the industry struggled to overcome barriers of the nanometer scale production technology earlier this year.

Market research firm Dataquest estimates that DDR2 represents 11 percent of the overall DRAM market, but predicts it will emerge as the market leader, with a share of around 50 percent next year. Samsung's DDR2 SDRAM sales milestone confirms its role in leading the introduction and further expansion of the DDR2 SDRAM market. Samsung expects DDR2 SDRAMs to reach 34 percent of its total DDR sales this year.

Samsung Electronics remained in the black, while other DRAM makers languished in the red in 2002. This feat was accomplished by leading the DDR SDRAM market and by developing products that stand apart from the competition. Now, Samsung is again setting the market trend by being the first to complete development of the high-speed, next-generation DDR2 SDRAM and to bring it to market ahead of other chipmakers. Samsung officials are confident that their approach will maximize profitability while widening their lead over the competition.

From NE Asia Online