Google increases RAM and storage requirements for Android smartphones: What has changed and what it means for users

Android

Google has made some changes to the system requirements that are required to run the Android operating system on a device. The change applies to both smartphones and tablets. According to Android Authority's report, Google has raised the minimum RAM and internal storage requirements for Android smartphones starting with Android 15. The change, effective for both new and upgrading devices, aims to improve user experience on budget Android hardware, which often suffers from performance and storage limitations.

From Android 15 onwards, smartphones must have at least 32GB of internal storage to qualify for Google Mobile Services (GMS) certification. Additionally, Google mandates that 75% of this storage must be allocated to the data partition, which houses user apps, data, and preinstalled system apps. This marks a significant increase from the previous 16GB requirement introduced with Android 13. Devices with lower storage will still be allowed to use the open-source Android codebase (AOSP) but will not have access to proprietary apps like the Google Play Store unless they meet GMS requirements.

Google has also updated its memory policy. While Android 14 required 2GB RAM devices to use Android’s low memory optimizations (Go Edition), Android 15 extends this rule to devices with 3GB of RAM as well. Devices with 4GB RAM may optionally use these optimizations, but phones with less than 2GB RAM remain ineligible for GMS certification.

These changes affect the entry-level segment, which accounts for a large share of Android sales globally. By enforcing higher hardware baselines, Google hopes to offer smoother performance, better app compatibility, and an overall improved user experience on budget devices. However, cost-sensitive manufacturers may need to adjust pricing or specifications accordingly.

Android 15 introduces additional GMS certification requirements, such as emergency contact sharing during distress calls, mandatory Vulkan 1.3 graphics API support, and support for ANGLE libraries to translate OpenGL ES calls to Vulkan. These features aim to enhance user safety and improve Android's gaming and graphics capabilities.

This changes essentially means two things for users. First, Android phones will become more capable with updated system requirements, including the entry-level models. Second one is a bad news for users as phones or tablets that do not meet these requirements won't get the update.