How much more data can the new chips store?

The 10th-generation chips can store 59% more data compared with Kioxia's previous flagship 8th-generation chip.

Which companies currently dominate the data-center flash memory market?

South Korea's Samsung Electronics held 40% and SK Hynix held 30% of the data-center flash market last year, according to Omdia analyst Akira Minamikawa. Kioxia had an estimated 10%.

Where will the new chips be manufactured?

Production will take place at Kioxia's second manufacturing facility at its Kitakami plant in Iwate Prefecture, which began operating in September last year.

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Kioxia ships next-gen flash memory chips for AI data centers

Japan Times Tech2d ago4 min read

Key takeaway

Kioxia Holdings began shipping samples of its 10th-generation flash memory chips to AI data center operators, marking a push to gain ground in a market dominated by South Korean competitors. The new chips store 59% more data than Kioxia's previous generation and are designed to meet the higher speed and efficiency demands of large cloud providers. The move signals Kioxia's effort to capitalize on AI data center growth and reduce its dependence on smartphone makers, though stock volatility reflects investor concerns about memory price sustainability as supply increases.

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3 Key Points

What happened
Kioxia Holdings began shipping samples of its 10th-generation 3D flash memory chips to AI data center operators. The new chips can store 59% more data compared with its previous flagship 8th-generation chip and will be produced at the company's Kitakami plant in Iwate Prefecture. Kioxia's stock rose 8.9% on Friday.
Why it matters
Kioxia held only 10% of the data-center NAND flash memory market last year, trailing Samsung Electronics (40%) and SK Hynix (30%), who bundle memory with high-bandwidth memory chips. According to analyst Akira Minamikawa, Kioxia's NAND chips have superior data processing speed for U.S. hyperscalers (large cloud providers), and the new generation is positioned to be competitive. This move helps Kioxia reduce reliance on smartphone manufacturers like Apple.
What to watch
Production will take place at Kioxia's second Kitakami facility, which began operating in September last year. The chips are intended for solid-state drives and will be used as AI agents and robots drive demand for data center storage. Stock volatility remains a concern as questions persist over the sustainability of memory price rises as supply increases.

FAQ

How much more data can the new chips store?: The 10th-generation chips can store 59% more data compared with Kioxia's previous flagship 8th-generation chip.
Which companies currently dominate the data-center flash memory market?: South Korea's Samsung Electronics held 40% and SK Hynix held 30% of the data-center flash market last year, according to Omdia analyst Akira Minamikawa. Kioxia had an estimated 10%.
Where will the new chips be manufactured?: Production will take place at Kioxia's second manufacturing facility at its Kitakami plant in Iwate Prefecture, which began operating in September last year.

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