The tech world buzzes with talk of new phones flaunting a hefty 24GB RAM. Chinese tech titan, OPlus, leads the pack, hinting the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will be the first to offer this memory capacity. However, the Red Magic 8S Pro plans to outpace them as the globe’s premier 24GB RAM smartphone, set to announce any moment now.
Today, a 16GB RAM sits as the upper echelon in most smartphones, with a few reaching 18GB, predominantly within the Chinese market. So, the question surfaces – is 24GB RAM in your smartphone overkill? Generally, I’d say yes, but with a few exceptions.
The RAM Basics
Before we dive in, let’s understand what RAM does. As your device’s fastest memory chip, RAM is pivotal to its functionality, loading system software every time you boot up and launching apps. A minimum 4GB RAM is essential to run basic applications as of 2023.
Android 13 requires at least 2GB RAM, doubling the 1GB needed previously. Entry-level smartphones with Android Go Edition offer just this bare minimum. However, budget smartphones typically start with 4GB RAM, enabling them to run all modern apps, albeit with limited multitasking abilities.
How Much RAM Do You Really Need?
Given that most apps use between 100-200MB of RAM and some games need up to 1.5GB, an 8GB RAM smartphone seems advisable for 2023. Top-tier smartphones, like the latest Samsung Galaxy S series, begin at this capacity. Chinese brands, in their ongoing competitiveness, offer a minimum of 12GB on premium models.
For those heavy web users juggling multiple tabs, consider opting for the highest RAM model you can afford. Browsers like Google Chrome are notorious for their RAM demands, with the 64-bit version requiring a minimum of 8GB RAM.
More RAM Doesn’t Always Equal Better Performance
In theory, a high-capacity RAM allows for efficient multitasking, keeping several apps active simultaneously. However, the reality is different, especially with Chinese brands prioritizing battery life, leading to apps being forced out of memory despite having RAM to spare.
So, while a 24GB RAM smartphone may sound impressive, it’s the software optimization that truly counts. Consumers should have the control to decide which apps are suspended to conserve power.
The Case for 24GB RAM
There are situations where a 24GB RAM phone may be beneficial, like for horizontal foldables that convert into tablets. These devices juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, making the larger RAM handy. Gaming smartphones could also benefit, allowing users to switch between games effortlessly, much like on the Xbox Series X/S.
However, for a regular smartphone, 24GB RAM seems excessive. The primary advantage is keeping multiple apps running, which isn’t as efficient as on foldable phones. So, it appears, at least for now, that 24GB RAM in a regular smartphone is a tad superfluous without any significant benefits.
