NAND，也要迎来HBM时刻？

Core Viewpoint - NAND manufacturers are often overlooked in the AI boom, as their growth potential in AI applications is limited compared to DRAM, which is essential for AI computing needs [1][2][3] NAND Market Dynamics - AI computing primarily relies on DRAM due to its high bandwidth (up to 1TB/s) and low latency, while NAND's bandwidth (7-14GB/s) and higher latency make it less suitable for core AI tasks [1][2] - In AI training, NAND is mainly used for data storage rather than computation, leading to reduced demand once data is loaded into GPU DRAM [2] - The overall NAND market faces challenges such as easier capacity expansion and a larger number of competitors compared to DRAM, resulting in a more volatile market [3] Recent Market Trends - The NAND market experienced significant fluctuations in 2023, with a recovery in early 2024 driven by increased smartphone shipments and enterprise SSD demand due to AI server construction [5][6] - Global smartphone shipments rose by 8.2% year-on-year, and enterprise SSD procurement increased by 32% quarter-on-quarter, with North American cloud service providers accounting for 58% of global orders [5] - Strategic production cuts by major manufacturers like Samsung and Micron have led to a 17% increase in NAND Flash contract prices in Q1 2024 [5][6] Future Outlook - AI server SSD demand is expected to grow significantly, with predictions of over 45EB in procurement capacity in 2024 and an average annual growth rate exceeding 60% in the coming years [6][7] - The introduction of high-bandwidth flash (HBF) technology by SanDisk aims to provide a solution for AI inference applications, potentially positioning NAND to compete with HBM in the future [12][14] - The NAND industry is exploring various strategies, including enhancing storage density with QLC technology and dynamic capacity adjustments to address inventory issues [21][22] Competitive Landscape - The NAND market is characterized by a duality where enterprise demand is rising while consumer electronics face a downturn, leading to a stark contrast in performance across segments [8][9] - Companies are increasingly focusing on collaborative ecosystems and technology advancements to maintain competitiveness, with SK Hynix and Samsung leading in enterprise SSD markets [22][23]