4, 6 or 8 GB - how much RAM you need a modern smartphone actually
Devices / / December 19, 2019
Many buyers believe that the more memory on your smartphone, the better. Layfhaker understands whether this is so.
The amount of memory in mobile devices is growing ever more rapidly. More recently, we were surprised at the wonders of multitasking smartphone with 2 GB of RAM, and today already eyeing the devices having on-board 6 or even 8 GB.
However, whether you really want in a smartphone such large amounts of RAM? I'll tell you: no, not needed.
Android-smartphone
We all know that the more RAM, the more applications can run simultaneously. However, it's not all of what is spent precious gigabytes.
- Android runs on the Linux kernel. The core is stored in a compressed file, and a special type is extracted directly to the RAM during power device. In this reserved area of memory is stored the kernel, drivers, kernel modules that control the components of the device.
- RAM-disk virtual files. Some of the folders and files in the system directory are actually virtual. They are created at each loading and contain information such as battery level and frequency of the processor. For storage is allocated a little more memory.
- Data on the IMEI and the modem settings are stored in NVRAM (non-volatile memory that is not erased when the phone is switched off). At the same time at each loading they are transmitted to the RAM for operation of the modem.
- also required memory for the graphics adapter. It is called VRAM. Our smartphones are using integrated graphics processors, which do not have their own memory. Therefore, for the graphics card is reserved a certain amount of RAM.
All RAM left over from the above consumers placed at the disposal GUI operating system and installed applications. In this case, one of the remaining volume of the RAM stores data of running applications, and the other always remains free in case if the user runs another program. If the amount of free memory decreases, the previously unloaded from RAM running applications.
To date, the amount of RAM that operating system reserves for your needs, is about 1 GB. Although manufacturers can apply your settings and add-on modules, to some extent, affect this figure, the average temperature in the hospital such.
To ensure proper multitasking enough to RAM was 5-7 application that takes about 700-900 MB on average. Add to this the 300-400 MB of free space required to run new applications.
It turns out that today to perform virtually any task 3GB smartphone with enough margin.
You will not feel any significant acceleration and wow-effect of what will take the hands of a device with 4 or 6 GB. Maybe even you do not notice any difference.
Nevertheless, progress is not standing still. The gradual build-up of the amount of RAM, sooner or later will lead to the fact that the operating system will still more increase reserved for a section, and developers will be releasing more and more demanding applications. And then 6 GB of RAM can really come in handy. But now to pay for the extra gigabytes it makes no sense.
iPhone
With the iPhone, the situation is somewhat different. Using a proprietary operating system and parts of own production allow Apple to achieve high optimization. Thanks to this company does not have every year to increase the amount of RAM your device.
Current flagship iPhone 7 Plus is equipped with a fairly modest by today's standards, 3 GB of RAM, while the younger version of the iPhone 7 and it does 2GB. Previous generation also has 2GB of memory, and older devices such as iPhone 6 5s and general content of 1 GB of RAM. In this case, the same iPhone 5s, which is quite normal now works on iOS 10, will be supported by the new iOS 11, although it was made back in 2013.
We can say with certainty that the iPhone 2 GB of RAM is now quite a head. Three gigabytes - that's for the future.