The trend for leading NAND flash manufacturers to enter into down-stream memory card production has been heat in recent years. After Samsung Electronics and Toshiba, Hynix and Micron has determined to dive into the production of memory cards too. Hynix has started its memory cards shipment this month; Micron predicted that the beginning time will be around the second half of 2008, cooperating with international mobile phone manufacturers in the early stage. Then, the situation will come into being that four leading NAND Flash makers all enter into the memory cards field, which will bring a brand new situation and challenges for the overall industry.

Samsung and Toshiba are the first two companies to enter into memory card production field. Their plans to manufacture memory card were disputed by the market when firstly brought forth. Down-stream module makers all show a protest attitude at that time. But currently, this trend has been proved to be a surviving mode for major NAND Flash manufacturers. Storage industry makers indicated that as Micron and Hynix determined to dive into memory cards manufacturing range, four leading NAND Flash camps will be formed in memory card production field, posing an influence that is not allowed to be disdained over the memory card industry.

Hynix has make plan for the entering into card field for a long time, but only recently has the company announced it in due form. Its card products have begun shipping in May. And the company plans not to enter into self-owned brand market and retail market in the early stage, only to cooperate with international mobile phone makers. Not singly, Micron at the same time has make determination to enter into card production field and is now searching for related cooperation manufacturers. It is predicted that the company will introduce its card products in 2H 2008. The details haven’t been released.

Makers in the storage industry indicated that the influence for Micron and Hynix to enter into card producing field is substantial. However, previously Intel had enter card business too, but quit in a short time; Samsung’s strategy in card field is also changing all the time, seeming only to adjust its NAND Flash capacity. So, the scale of influence posed to the card industry by Hynix and Micron still need further observation to define.