What is UFS 3.1? List of Phones with UFS 3.1 Storage System

Storage capacity on a smartphone is not limited to the ability to store more data anymore. That is indeed one of the requirements. But that should not necessarily be the ultimate option, but the storage options should also be faster enough. With a host of apps and services requiring access to your storage in a more rapid environment, a speedier room is one of the major requirements.

The latest UFS 3.1 storage system is one of the latest options, and this has been helpful enough to achieve the best results. But, which phones do support the newer UFS 3.1 storage system? We will check out a few devices that support the faster storage technology.

Also Read: eUFS vs UFS 3.0 Specifications and Differences

But before checking out the best options available for smartphones with UFS 3.1 storage, we will try to understand how the UFS 3.1 standard has revolutionized the concept of faster storage.

What has UFS 3.1 storage changed from the earlier versions?

The JEDEC, a global committee for the standardization of the microelectronics industry, has specified a few necessary enhancements for the best improvements brought ahead for the best experience on the new UFS 3.1 standard.

The UFS 3.0, albeit fast in sequential speeds (read & write), had its deficiencies once it involves random reads. To address 8K video capture and 5G speed requirements, JEDEC has a successor – the UFS 3.1 specification. It claims to bring augmentations in performance, power-efficiency, and low costs when produced at scale.

Furthermore, the committee has conjointly published a high-level spec name Host Performance Booster (HPB) Extension, an associate facultative add-on to the existing UFS 3.1 standard. Together, UFS 3.1 + HPB is expected to propel quicker and steady performance.

There are three significant enhancements introduced with the UFS 3.1 standard. These would include Writer Booster, Deep Sleep, and Performance Throttling Notification.

What changes will these bring up? Here are the possible enhancements –

• Write Booster: The write speeds are consistently improved. The UFS 3.1 standard achieves this through the means of a pseudo-SLC cache. This acts as a frequently accessible reserve memory.
  
• Deep Sleep – It involves the use of voltage regulators, which further help you consume less power. This includes power consumption for both storage and other functions.
  
• Performance Throttling – This will help notify any of the performance bottlenecks

Here is a quick speed comparison based on Samsung’s own estimations:

Samsung has been at the forefront of this new standard. The launch of Samsung’s UFS 3.1 lineup factors a true invention for mobile memory technologies. As the leading UFS 3.1 product to see mass production, Samsung’s solutions are poised to make smartphone storage not just more durable and more efficient but more stable as well.

Source: https://in.micron.com/products/managed-nand/universal-flash-storage

Samsung’s list is constituted of three storage sizes: 128, 256, and 512GB. What makes the lineup’s release not just grand for Samsung but a great leap ahead for mobile memory as a whole is the point that it raises the bar considerably for smartphone storage I/O speeds. With assistance for data downloads of up to 1200 megabytes per second (MB/s), the UFS 3.1’s 256GB and 512GB variants will help make gigabyte sequential write speeds (Gbps) the new normal.

Such blazing high-speed performance makes the 512GB UFS 3.1 approximately three times faster than its forerunner, last year’s 512GB UFS 3.0, which sustained transfers of up to 410MB/s. It also makes the solution about 10 times faster than a microSD card and more than double as fast as some desktop-class PCs. Admittedly, a PC equipped with a SATA III SSD supporting transfers of up to 540Mb/s would be incapable of keeping up with Samsung’s most rapid portable flash storage solution yet.

The 512GB UFS 3.1 also supports persistent read speeds of up to 2,100MB/s and random read and write speeds of up to 100,000 and 70,000 IOPS (Input & Output Operations Per Second). Both of the latter two figures are marked improvements over UFS 3.0, which supported random read and write speeds of up to 63,000 and 68,000 IOPS, respectively.

Phones with UFS 3.1 – A Formidable List

Well, having checked out the best options offered for the best experience in terms of the UFS 3.1 storage, here are a few select smartphones that come equipped with the UFS 3.1 storage systems.

Samsung Galaxy S20

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Samsung has a wide range of devices that support UFS 3.1 memory capacity. The smartphone does offer you access to IP68 water and dust protection. One of the most affordable mid-range devices has been something you would be interested in for the sheer number of features it offers you.

A futuristic design with a combination of glass and metal is one of the features that should ideally make it a perfect companion for all-season functionality. From the aesthetic point of view, you would find that it provides you access to a good option. The camera module that houses three lenses is quite slimmer. The Infinity O display is yet another exciting option. You get access to a powerful ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. There is no 3.5 mm audio jack on the phone, but the availability of a pair of USB-C AKG buds should be what would make it a formidable option.

The 6.2-inch Quad HD+ (3,200 x 1,400) screen is equipped with an AMOLED display and a Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection. The 120 Hz refresh rate is yet another thoughtful addition. The phone is powered by Octa-core Samsung Exynos 990 or Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, depending on your region. The 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM would make it a beast in terms of performance. The availability of a microSD card slot is yet another added advantage.

You will find the same degree of performance when it comes to the Galaxy S20 siblings, including Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus.

Galaxy S20 Plus

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

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Other Samsung Phones with UFS 3.1 are as follows:

Samsung	Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G	Check on Amazon
Samsung	Galaxy S21 Plus 5G	Check on Amazon
Samsung	Galaxy S21	Check on Amazon
Samsung	Galaxy Z Fold 2	Check on Amazon
Samsung	Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G	Check on Amazon
Samsung	Galaxy Note 10 Plus	Check on Amazon

Realme X50 Pro 5G

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This is another excellent option that can prove an excellent option in the long run for a faster storage option. Running on Android 10, the flagship device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Chipset. The smartphone comes with 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM.

The 6.44-inch screen with 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution is what would make it one of the perfect options ever. The display offers you access to a 90 Hz refresh rate. The use of a high-speed storage option should ideally make it one of the excellent opportunities for a huge benefit. Like the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, the phone provides you access to a premium design with glass and metal.

The smartphone is indeed a flagship killer when you look at the phone’s features and other functionalities. However, you would find the cameras a little poor in quality. The phone comes with USB-C port connectivity and a charging port.

The phone should be a good buy, especially since you get a 5G connectivity, premium design, and the latest technology for the best possible pricing. The Realme X50 Pro 5G should be one of the first devices that the brand Realme has offered in recent times.

Redmi K30 Pro

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The smartphone comes with UFS 3.1 storage and also offers access to a more capable VC Liquid cooling. The phone is equipped with quad-camera support along with a 64 MP primary sensor. The new storage capacity is expected to reach speed up to 750 Mbps.

The new smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and boasts of 6 GB RAM capacity. The smartphone runs on MIUI 11 based on Android 10. The 12 GB storage capacity is yet another huge plus point that you would find rather impressive. The device comes with different color options: Moonlight White, Sky Blue, Star Ring Purple, and Space Gray colors.

Any other Devices with UFS 3.1 storage?

Asus	ROG Phone 5	Check on Flipkart
IQOO	3	Check on Flipkart
ZTE	Nubia Red Magic 5S	Check on Geekbuying

Well, Samsung has just released the new standard in the form of UFS 3.1. We would expect more flagships equipped with the new standard in 2020. We have listed a few select phones that come with the UFS 3.1 storage capacity. We will update the post as and when we come across any news of the devices with the functionality.

The UFS 3.1 storage capacity has indeed brought a better performance in handling the read and write operations. The new phone range will introduce a better degree of options, and we will find it an exciting experience.