Phison introduces low-cost UFS 2.2 controller for mobile devices

Phison has announced four UFS controllers that will be deployed in mobile devices over the course of this year. With the PS8325, PS8327, PS8329 and PS8361, the Taiwanese company wants to focus on smartphones from different price ranges.

In its press release the manufacturer mainly focuses on the PS8327. This is a compact Universal Flash Storage 2.2 controller, for built-in storage memory, that should offer a strong price-performance ratio. It is built on a 22nm process and has a claimed speed of 1000 MB/s with a capacity of 64 GB or more. In addition to the existing requirements of NAND manufacturers, PS8327’s integrated error correction is also expected to be suitable for the next generation of the NAND specification.

For midrange smartphones there is the PS8329. This UFS 3.1 controller is built on a 22nm process and should be able to reach 2000 MB/s in a single-channel setup. Just like its little brother, the ECC engine must be suitable for the next generation of NAND products. The first samples will be delivered in June this year.

The PS8325 is also intended for UFS 3.1 memory, but unlike the PS8329, it is aimed at high-end phones. This controller uses a 12nm node from TSMC and a dual-channel design with support for 1TB of storage. Mass production will start in the first quarter of 2024.

Finally, there is the PS8361, which is also produced on TSMC’s 12nm process. With four channels and speeds of 4000 MB/s, this UFS 4.0 controller is aimed at high-end smartphones. Phison expects the first deliveries to take place in the second half of this year.