Counterclockwise: RAM capacity through the years

29 April 2018
We look at both the average (which is growing quickly) and the maximum (which may have hit a wall).

Sort by:

Wondering if an iPhone X have an upgraded 8 GB of RAM.

There will be two possibility.
A. It has more free RAM, also more free-to-total RAM ratio, considering it OS has a great memory management.
B. It has more free RAM, but rationally, it's still the same.

    AnonD-754505, 29 Apr 2018Are you going to pull all three from your phone? Shouldn't ... moreAll the basic ones needed. And they are set in the com.android.root branch. ^^; as the OEM of ST I don't need root permission.
    I

      First, which data that the graph based on? The phone series or the used phone one?

      Second, i agree with the "maximum" graph.

      Third, the average graph seems not to be. There's a lot of low end series that have a

        • D
        • AnonD-754505
        • T4t
        • 29 Apr 2018

        Kiyasuriin, 29 Apr 2018Sure. These I can grab.Are you going to pull all three from your phone? Shouldn't take long from what I recall.

        I wasn't trying to be offensive in previous post, just curious about the device you've built. What tests did you include in your xml? Also a bit curious about that.

          • D
          • AnonD-754505
          • T4t
          • 29 Apr 2018

          Lunarwolf, 29 Apr 2018Huge ram doesn't matter if not utilized properly. For examp... moreYou're right and the explanation is twofold but really simple in principle. iOS compresses memory so that it uses less RAM than on Android in addition to not having to run everything in virtual machine like Android and waste resources on garbage collector. Also on Android there is a background task limit so that the battery doesn't die too fast. On default it's something like 32 IIRC but don't quote me on the exact number. So the extra RAM is only used if you launch many memory intensive apps unless manufacturer increases the limit or you so it yourself via some easy tweaks. Apple tries to strike a good balance between battery and amount of RAM so that none goes unused while some other OEMs on Android give you 8GB of RAM without increasing the background app limit which is pointless as it only wastes battery.

          What Apple does is 10x more sensible but not without it faults. The 2GB iPhone 8 struggles to keep up and even the 3GB 8Plus/X fails to keep up with a phone like OnePlus 5/5T (6GB or 8GB model, barely a difference due to aforementioned reasons) in multitasking because of sheer memory difference so maybe the balance in current iPhone lineup tiped too far into battery.

          If you're interested here's a very in depth explanation about this topic: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFpgknkqRE

            • D
            • AnonD-450057
            • Im4
            • 29 Apr 2018

            My laptop has 32gb of ram and a regular i7700
            I don't see how that limit of 16gb is right

              AnonD-754505, 29 Apr 2018This is just a spec sheet of non-existent device. Everyone ... moreThat's because I rewrote it from real files I have.

                AnonD-754505, 29 Apr 2018Forget about pics. Upload makefile, ADB keys and VTS log. Y... moreSure. These I can grab.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • ut@
                  • 29 Apr 2018

                  Akinaro, 29 Apr 2018Jesus.... I expected more from this article, especially lap... moreThe RAM hogging tendency of Android has nothing to do with Linux kernel. Linux is highly scalable, and can run on systems that don't have enough RAM to run Windows XP. The problem with Android is that, with rapid rise in available RAM in recent years, application developers don't put too much stress on optimization for low RAM usage. Same goes for average application size. Being a Google product, analytic processes are continuously running in the background. The fact that the foundation of Android is laid upon a modified Java Virtual Machine doesn't help.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-731363
                    • SH3
                    • 29 Apr 2018

                    And my post wasnt even added found some interesting phones with 10 and even 12 GB of ram. What a shame.

                      Huge ram doesn't matter if not utilized properly. For example you can compare android vs ios, you don't need extra ram for fluid and smooth transition from one app to another or keep apps run longer. Same goes for PC, you only need the extra space if you'll be running a lot of apps. Unless if Vram is shared with DRAM itself.

                      Manufacturers should optimized software before hardware as tangible objects can be added later in form of to enhance the "experience" to the fullest. Imagine an ios device with more than 3gb or like 6gb from the note8, its gonna make all android flagship trailing behind atleast 2 years with that A11 Bionic chip.

                      I ain't no techie but I understand what will make a phone better than the rest.
                      Optimized software + Excellent hardware = Better overall experience
                      (I'm looking at you Nokia, need better ram management)

                        • D
                        • AnonD-731363
                        • SH3
                        • 29 Apr 2018

                        Kiyasuriin, 29 Apr 2018Hm... So far we are indeed capped at 8 GB of RAM. But we do... moreSo far phones with 10GB ram exist or are on the bench desks.
                        http://www.pricepony.com.ph/blog/best-10-gb-ram-smartphone-42mp/
                        here is the proof.
                        Whats more funny here is the phone with 12GB ram and insane 60 Mpix back shooter and dual 20+20 front.
                        http://www.fonearena.com/blog/196060/turing-phone-cadenza-with-dual-snapdragon-830s-12gb-ram-60mp-rear-camera-announced.html
                        Never seen anything powerfull than this even the army gadgets could turn to green :-)
                        http://kwikgadget.com/12gb-ram-mobile/

                          • D
                          • AnonD-754505
                          • 3sZ
                          • 29 Apr 2018

                          Kiyasuriin, 29 Apr 2018I'd gladly tell you the specs of my PDA. (Renamed it. as K-... moreForget about pics. Upload makefile, ADB keys and VTS log. You cannot easily Google that but it would take less than a minute to pull it if you have made the device from scratch. There - you can show us a proof that does not require photos, is very fast to do and you can post it on that notepad site in text format. Don't bother faking them because only one is possible to fake, I'll let you guess which are not.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-754505
                            • 3sZ
                            • 29 Apr 2018

                            Kiyasuriin, 29 Apr 2018I'd gladly tell you the specs of my PDA. (Renamed it. as K-... moreThis is just a spec sheet of non-existent device. Everyone can make one like this. Lack of specific information only confirms that you have not built a device like that. I doubt you have ever seen the insides of any electronic device. Show me a CAD project of the device, PCB pic or or at least serial number of one component not an imaginary text file. I know you won't because such thing does not exist. Oh and the date of when you made that note is public - which was today.

                            You're the most delusional person I've seen in a while if you think a single soul would believe what you're writing.

                            Please do report me if you wish to. I have not broken the site's ToS and would love to see the moderator join in on the laugh.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-558092
                              • r7b
                              • 29 Apr 2018

                              Shanti Dope, 29 Apr 20184GB RAM on smartphones People 2015: Are you serious? Dam... moreMore RAM=Worse memory managment=Needs more RAM=More RAM=... 
                              But eventually things will stabilize themselves like on PC with 2-4GB standard on low-mid range, 4-8GB high-end.

                              And mobile Xeons are for P5x Thinkpad class of devices, these are not for people, but businesses. You guys probably meant the HQ/MQ/HK series.

                                • D
                                • AnonD-731363
                                • SH3
                                • 29 Apr 2018

                                Anonymous, 29 Apr 2018At HQ of many Chinese brands ... - Hey boss! Tell us wh... moreIf its true.
                                Xiaomi developing Surge 2 new chipset and having own UI.
                                And some other brands also have new trick up in their sleeve.
                                Like underdisplay finger print reader and many more.
                                Dont forget that most of the phones and brands are made under foxconn which is chinese nafufacturer.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • ut@
                                  • 29 Apr 2018

                                  Anonymous, 29 Apr 2018I sorry but you are a joke unless give us some pictures wit... moreThe obvious answer is Dreamland. Either that or Santa.

                                    Akinaro, 29 Apr 2018Jesus.... I expected more from this article, especially lap... moreI enjoyed your read and colourful descriptions. ..

                                      Anonymous, 29 Apr 2018I sorry but you are a joke unless give us some pictures wit... moreSecondly. The device looks like a mini Meizu Pro 7 so just shrink the device if you got the imagination. I have the right to not upload an image. Don't believe? You decide. But I know what effort I've been through.

                                        Anonymous, 29 Apr 2018I sorry but you are a joke unless give us some pictures wit... moreBought from Qualcomm. O.o easy

                                          3 of 6