Internal flash memory in smartphones
The internal memory is a digital flash memory with low energy requirements, on which a non-volatile backup of data is possible. Non-volatile means that the data is retained when there is no power, i.e. the mobile phone is switched off. The modules contain a memory block and a microcontroller. They are mobile, which means they have no moving parts and therefore cannot be damaged by vibrations. Although flash memory is slower than other types of memory, it has proven its worth for mass storage and mobile devices such as MP3 players, cell phones, and smartphones. This is mainly due to its economy and compact design. The lifespan of flash memory is limited and specified in erase cycles. Depending on the memory architecture, up to two million write and delete cycles are possible before the memory module has to be replaced and a new smartphone has to be purchased. Flash memory has come a long way since it was first introduced in 1984 - from the humble USB stick so many of us still use to SD and micro SD cards, which have become an integral part of our digital imaging and mobile experiences, right up to the smart and slim SSDs that quickly replace HDDs, to eMMCs that virtually define how much we can store in our pockets. Nowadays, two storage technologies are usually built into mobile devices. These are eMMC and UFS.
