As we already mentioned it, MCL memory chips is currently found in most memory cards and SSD and is based on 2-bits cell. The technology is evolving, and one can start storing 3 to 4 bits per cell. SanDisk announced the availability of products based on MLC X4 cell. This memory engraved at 43 nm will initially be used in SDHC and Memory Sticks (8 and 16 GB). The main goal is not to improve capacity but rather to offer cheaper products with a bigger margin.
However, it remains unclear what would be the performance levels in reading and writing modes of such memory. According to recent reports, such chips would not be fast enough to end up in SSDs. The reliability of the MLC X4 is still questioned, as higher density is usually synonym of shorter lifetime. As a reminder, a 1-bit per cell MLC can be written 100,000 times, 10 fold more than the SLC 2-bits. According to SanDisk PR, the company has been working 5 years to design and develop the right algorithm to manage errors and problems on each steps of those new memory cells.
