So, if you look closely at the recent Chinese smartphone releases, you will notice one trend. The brands are amping up the RAM capacity of their latest releases. Previously, 12GB of RAM was often deemed excessive. But with Realme and Nubia announcing their latest devices, it seems we are heading towards 24GB RAM phone models.
Moreover, the upcoming device from OnePlus, the OnePlus ACE 2 Pro, is expected to feature up to 24GB of RAM. This might raise the question, do you really need that amount of RAM on your phone? I mean, 16GB of RAM is typically considered excellent for computers., even for gaming. So, do 24GB RAM phone models make sense? Let’s delve deeper into the subject for a comprehensive understanding.
Why Does Your Phone Need RAM?
Before anything else, you need to have a proper understanding of what RAM actually is. At the core, it is one of the fastest memory in your phone. It is faster than the onboard storage but slower than the cache that remains embedded with the phone’s processor. But why do phones need RAM for?
Thanks to being exceptionally faster than onboard storage, operating systems use it to load up and run apps. If you were to make the operating system or apps run on regular storage, it would take you hours just to send a text message. Yes, RAM in phones is that crucial.
How Much RAM Do You Actually Need?
To understand how much RAM your phone needs, consider your requirements and the demand for the device. Let’s break things down to make it easier for you:
You Need At Least 2GB of RAM to Run Android
If you are to use the phone for basic tasks such as making a call, receiving a call, listening to local music, and texting, 2GB of RAM is more than enough. Before Android 13, the minimum RAM requirement was 1GB. But with the release of the new Android version, Google has increased the minimum requirement.
Of course, there’s Android Go Edition. As Google describes, Android Go Edition is a “lightning-speed OS for smartphones with less than 2GB of RAM.” As a matter of fact, you need about 512MB of RAM to run Android Go. Even though this version of Android has limited compatibility, you can easily get basic tasks done with ease.
Essential Android Apps Needs At Least 4GB of RAM to Run Smoothly
Do you not want to just use the device just for making calls? Want to run some apps, such as the Threads app that Meta just launched? In that case, you must pick a phone with at least 4GB of RAM. This amount of RAM will even let you play some lightweight games without facing that many hiccups.
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Get At Least 8GB RAM Phone If You Want to Play Games
If you want a reasonably smoother experience with games and apps, getting a phone with at least 8GB of RAM is a good idea. This amount of RAM will let you run demanding games and resource-intensive apps, such as video editors, pretty smoothly. That’s why the flagship Samsung devices start at 8GB.
However, if you are someone who tends to keep a lot of tabs open in Google Chrome, it would be a good idea to get a 12GB RAM phone model. After all, Google Chrome itself requires a good amount of RAM to operate optimally. Most Chinese manufacturers offer a minimum of 12GB in their flagships for this specific reason.
Another Important Consideration: More RAM Does Not Always Mean Better Experience
As we are talking about phone RAMs, it is better to look into the topic fully. So, a higher amount of RAM will not always mean a high-end experience. The processor must be able to utilize the amount of RAM the phone comes with.
For example, pairing a Snapdragon 600 series CPU with 16GB of RAM is a waste. 8GB or 12GB is more than enough for that SoC. Wondering why? Well, low to mid-range processors can not utilize higher amounts of resources.
Therefore, even if you pair them up with 24GB RAM, you will not get smoother performance in demanding tasks.
So, Should You Not Purchase a 24GB RAM Phone?
You should purchase a 24GB RAM phone if you want to stay highly productive and if the phone comes with high-end specs. The just-announced Red Magic 8S Pro+ is a prime example of such a phone. It is currently the best Android phone you can get in terms of hardware.
Most importantly, the phone comes with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2, which is ideal for 24GB of RAM. It is a flagship processor that can utilize all the resources that it gets.
When it comes to productivity, a properly kitted phone with 24GB of RAM will let you keep multiple apps open. That enables you to multitask with ease. And the upcoming Android 14 has multiple multitasking features. So, with a 24GB RAM phone now, you will stay a bit futureproofed too.
Moreover, the current 24GB RAM phones are primarily targeting gamers. And they come with gaming-centric features to let the users get the best possible gaming experience. If you are a gamer, a 24GB RAM phone with good overall specs can surely be worth it for you.
