SK hynix said on Apr. 8 that it completed development of PQC21, a solid-state drive (SSD) product based on 321-layer quad-level cell (QLC) NAND flash, and began full-scale supply to customers.
NAND is categorized by how many bits can be stored in each cell, the unit of data storage: SLC (1 bit), MLC (2 bits), TLC (3 bits), QLC (4 bits), and PLC (5 bits). The more bits, the more capacity can be stored in the same space. PQC21 is a next-generation storage solution with high capacity, high performance, and low power, developed in particular to meet efficient storage needs in AI PC environments.
The core of this product is the combination of high stacking (321 layers) and QLC technology. While TLC-based products are the mainstream in the market, the adoption of QLC, which is advantageous for implementing high capacity, is expanding as data throughput surges with the recent growth of the AI market. According to global market research firm IDC, the share of QLC NAND in the global cSSD (for PCs and laptops) market is expected to expand from 22% last year to 61% in 2027.
SK hynix maximized storage capacity per unit area by leveraging QLC's strengths and built a product lineup in two capacities (1TB and 2TB). It also enhanced performance by applying SLC caching technology so that needed data can be read and written faster. SLC caching is a technology that adjusts the number of bits stored per NAND cell to use part of the area like SLC.
SK hynix will begin supplying products starting in April, beginning with Dell Technologies, a global IT company. A SK hynix official said, "The supply of 321-layer QLC-based cSSDs will be an important milestone that proves the company's leadership in the AI PC market," adding, "We will continue to lead the high-performance NAND solutions market based on overwhelming technological prowess."