SK hynix unveils 2029-2031 roadmap featuring HBM5, GDDR7-Next, and 400+ layer NAND

At the SK AI Summit 2025, SK hynix revealed a bold roadmap outlining its memory plans beyond 2029. According to Wccftech, the roadmap spans two phases: one for 2026 to 2028, and another for 2029 to 2031. Across both periods, the company plans to roll out a full lineup of HBM, DRAM, and NAND products.

2026-2028: Custom HBM4E and AI-focused memory innovation
As noted in the report, between 2026 and 2028, SK hynix plans to introduce HBM4 16-Hi and HBM4E 8/12/16-Hi products, along with a custom HBM4E solution. For its custom HBM, the report notes that SK hynix has shifted the HBM controller onto the base die.

Compared with standard HBM, this design allows GPU and ASIC makers to allocate more area to compute silicon while also reducing interface power consumption. The report further mentions that SK hynix will collaborate with TSMC on the development of its custom HBM and base dies.

SK hynix’s roadmap underscores its drive to develop memory products optimized for AI workloads. According to the report, the company plans to roll out LPDDR6 between 2026 and 2028, alongside a lineup of AI-oriented “AI-D” DRAM solutions, including LPDDR5X SoCAMM2, MRDIMM Gen2, LPDDR5R, and second-generation CXL LPDDR6-PIM.

In addition, the report notes that for 2026–2028, SK hynix plans NAND solutions such as PCIe Gen5 eSSDs with 245 TB-plus QLC capacities, PCIe Gen6 eSSD/cSSD, UFS 5.0, and AI-oriented “AI-N” NAND products.

2029-2031: Advancing toward HBM5, GDDR7-next, and 400+ layer NAND
Looking ahead to the 2029-2031 period, the report indicates that SK hynix is expected to begin developing its next-generation HBM5 and HBM5E products, along with custom HBM5 solutions. On the DRAM side, the company is preparing to roll out GDDR7-next and DDR6.

The report highlights that it is notable SK hynix places GDDR7-next and DDR6 within this timeframe, suggesting it may still be some time before anything beyond GDDR7 appears in mainstream discrete graphics cards. Conventional desktop and laptop PCs could likewise remain on DDR5 for some years.

GDDR7-next will build upon today’s GDDR7, which currently delivers speeds of 30–32 Gbps and supports a maximum standard of 48 Gbps, as noted by VideoCardz. As for DDR6, according to Chinese media outlet Mydrivers, the three major manufacturers have reportedly completed prototype designs and are now conducting validation tests. The new standard is expected to start at around 8,800 MT/s, with peak speeds potentially reaching up to 17,600 MT/s.

Meanwhile, the report adds that SK hynix plans to develop next-generation NAND products, including 400-plus-layer 4D NAND and High-Bandwidth Flash (HBF) solutions for 2029-2031.

Source: TrendForce, Taiwan.