再造一个HBM！

Core Viewpoint - The storage market is experiencing a rare supply-demand imbalance, driven by increased capital expenditure from cloud giants and heightened demand for artificial intelligence, leading to a significant memory shortage and price surges in both DRAM and NAND flash memory [1][2]. Group 1: NAND Flash Market Dynamics - Since September, the price of 512Gb TLC wafers has steadily increased, reaching $5 by late October, while 1Tb TLC/QLC wafers have hit a price range of $6.5 to $7.2 [1]. - NAND flash, traditionally seen as a low-cost storage option, is now gaining prominence due to its critical role in the current price surge [1]. - The core reason for NAND price increases includes depleted inventories and the emergence of High-Bandwidth Flash (HBF) technology, which may elevate NAND to a similar status as HBM in the AI era [1][3]. Group 2: High-Bandwidth Flash (HBF) Technology - HBF is a NAND version of high-bandwidth memory technology, connecting 16-layer NAND stacks to logic chips and then to GPUs or other processors via multi-channel high bandwidth [3]. - HBF aims to balance performance and cost, matching HBM memory bandwidth while providing 8 to 16 times the storage capacity at a similar cost, making it competitive in large model storage scenarios [3][4]. - The technology is being developed by various companies, with a growing ecosystem around HBF emerging [4]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - SK Hynix has introduced the "AIN Family" product lineup, which includes HBF technology, focusing on high capacity, low-cost NAND combined with HBM structures to meet the growing demand for AI data processing [6][7]. - Flash memory company SanDisk plans to provide HBF samples by mid-2024 and aims for a formal product launch in early 2027, indicating strong confidence in the technology's future [9]. - Kioxia is exploring multiple technical paths for HBF, including a high-speed flash drive prototype aimed at edge servers, showcasing a practical and diversified approach to technology development [13][14]. Group 4: Samsung's Strategy - Samsung is cautiously developing its own HBF products, leveraging its extensive experience in NAND and DRAM technologies, although specific product details and timelines remain undisclosed [17][18]. - The company aims to avoid past mistakes in the HBM market by observing competitors and refining its approach before launching products [19]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The NAND market is undergoing a transformation from a low-cost storage solution to a high-value core component, driven by AI demand and the rise of HBF technology [21]. - The competition among SK Hynix, SanDisk, Kioxia, and Samsung will shape the emerging HBF market, with the potential for NAND to replicate the success of HBM in the AI infrastructure landscape [21].