Storage in smartphones is an important factor for any consumer while purchasing a new device. While there have been various improvements in various parts of the handset, like cameras and processors, the average amount of storage offered to consumers has also risen in recent years and apparently crossing the 100GB mark in 2020.

According to a Counterpoint Research report, the average smartphone NAND flash storage capacity in smartphones has surpassed the 100GB mark for the first time last year. Although, this figure differs based on iOS and Android platforms, with the former having an average of 140.9GB in Q4 2020 while the latter had an average of 95.7GB around the same period. However, the gap between the two platforms is closing as well, as Android devices are also offering higher storage options in past few years.

To put it into perspective, the average capacity in 2020 grew by 5.6 percent for iOS and 20.5 percent for Android handsets. These figures are indicative of the fact that Apple did not push the boundaries of its storage sizes that maxed out at 512GB. This has been the highest storage variant that the company has offered since 2018. Meanwhile, Android vendors like Samsung broke past this storage capacity and managed to offer 1TB of internal storage for the first time back in 2019, with the Galaxy S10 Plus.

Furthermore, higher capacities in Android smartphones are becoming more common as well. Devices with storage options can range from 256GB, 512GB, and even 1,024GB at times in flagship models. The final quarter of last year also showcased that 128GB was the minimum required standard for most mid range and every high end smartphones, especially premium grade flagships.

RELATED:

• Realme x TÜV Rheinland event, showcases growing smartphone quality standards
• Oppo and Vivo foldable smartphones’ display near mass production: Tipster
• Oppo overtakes Huawei in 5G adoption rates for smartphones

The post Smartphone average storage crossed 100GB in 2020: Counterpoint appeared first on Gizmochina.

Micron Technology is ready to expand its workforce in India. The company’s Managing Director for India has told the Hindu Business Line that it will hire more employees in the next three years. Further, the company is also planning to establish a Center of Excellence and expand industry-academia collaboration in the country.

As per the report(via Digitimes), Anand Ramamoorthy, Managing Director of Micron Technology (India), says the company will increase headcount. Precisely, it will recruit about 3,600 more employees. This would bring the final tally to 5,000 employees by 2023. He says that the company has rapidly expanded by tripling the headcount in the last 12 months.

For the unware, Micron Technology is a US-based memory chip maker. Its portfolio of products includes computer memory, computer data storage, dynamic RAM(DRAM), flash memory(NAND flash), and USB flash drives. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the company has expertise in SSD, graphics memory, and LPDDR5 DRAM for 4G and 5G smartphones.

EDITOR’S PICK: Micron has yet to receive a license to sell to Huawei, may lead to fall in sales

As for India, the company, in 2018, allocated $3 billion for investment in Hyderabad. Moreover, it’s expanded a lot in the Asian region as well. In fact, it has back-end fabs in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. In case you don’t know, back end of line (BEOL) is where individual parts mingle with the wiring on the wafer.

Micron is very positive about growing electronics manufacturing industry in India and is considering increasing its presence in India. Micron has agreed to set up a Center of Excellence in memory and storage systems in India with Govt. of India.

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) December 14, 2020

However, the company reportedly is far away from setting up a production line in India. Although things are looking good for the country in the distant future, it isn’t going to make haste decisions regarding this right now. Still, the company is ready for academic tie-ups in the country.

Ramamoorthy says that Micron has authorized its University Research Alliance of Micron (URAM) to facilitate industry-academia collaboration for research and innovation in memory design. According to the Indian Minister of Electronics & IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Micron has also agreed set up a center of Excellence in memory and storage systems with Govt. of India.

UP NEXT: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 CPU, Memory variants listed online; could launch in early 2021

The post Micron Technology to expand workforce, setup Center of Excellence in India appeared first on Gizmochina.