Kioxia Unveils Breakthrough SSD Prototype Targeting 10 Million IOPS by 2026

Kioxia, a prominent Japanese memory manufacturer, has unveiled its ambitious mid- to long-term strategy, focusing on advanced SSD production. The company’s upcoming flagship project aims to deliver a groundbreaking SSD with a performance benchmark of 10 million IOPS. This innovation is projected to reach the market by the second half of 2026.

Ingenious Technology and Collaboration

By leveraging their high-speed XL-Flash memory chips and a brand-new controller, Kioxia is poised to offer unparalleled data operation efficiencies. A company representative stated, “Our combination aims to provide unprecedented performance for small-scale data operations with over 10 million IOPS, and we plan to present samples by late 2026.”

Current Innovations in Storage Solutions

Currently, Kioxia produces SSDs utilizing its proprietary 218-layer BiCS FLASH 8th generation memory. This technology employs CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) for optimal speed and energy efficiency. These chips are crucial in high-performance SSDs and AI-powered smartphones, with production steadily increasing.

Expanding Product Lines for Diverse Needs

Kioxia’s CM9 series SSDs target AI systems demanding peak performance and reliability. In contrast, the LC9 series offers storage solutions reaching up to 122TB per device, ideal for large-scale databases. The company collaborates closely with major GPU manufacturers to fine-tune their storage solutions for graphic and video applications.

Dual Approach for Next-Gen Flash Memory

Kioxia is pursuing two main strategies for developing next-generation flash memory. The 10th generation BiCS FLASH focuses on increasing layer count to boost capacity, while the 9th generation emphasizes maximizing CBA technology advantages, balancing high performance and development costs.