Smartphone RAM capacities also vary, ranging from 1, 4, 8, 12, and even up to 18 GB.
So, what exactly is RAM and its function in smartphones (mobile phones, cellphones)? Will the RAM capacity affect the overall performance of the phone? See the explanation in this article.
What is RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. In theory, RAM has the same working principle as internal memory (storage) which is commonly used to store various photos, videos, applications, and so on on a cellphone.
However, the ability to read (read) and write (write) RAM is much faster and more capable than storage.
It's easy like this, RAM can be likened to a pants pocket, while internal memory is a backpack. If we want to store something quickly and easily accessible, of course we will choose a trouser pocket over a bag.
RAM function
The main function of RAM itself is to store various system files or applications that are being used by the phone system "for a while".
Because it is stored there, the phone will automatically read, run, or launch an application quickly.
Before being stored in RAM, various system files and applications on the phone itself, including operating system (OS) files, are stored on the device's internal memory.
When they are needed, these files or applications will then be loaded into RAM so that the phone can run it smoothly.
When a file or an application is not used, RAM will automatically delete it, so that the portion of RAM that was used can be reused by other applications.
All information stored in RAM will also usually be lost or deleted automatically, when the phone is restarted.
In addition to these main functions, RAM is also useful for running more than one application at the same time, without slowing down the overall performance of the phone. This process is known as multi-tasking.
When doing this, users can save more than one frequently used application in the RAM (background) of the phone, when they want to open another application.
Now, when the application is about to run, the user can then immediately use it without having to wait for a long time, or see the waiting screen (loading screen) which is usually displayed when an application is run.
This can be said to make the use of smartphones more efficient.
Because, if an application is not stored in RAM, the phone will read the application data from the internal memory and then move it to RAM repeatedly.
The speed of the phone depends on the amount of RAM?
So, will the RAM capacity affect the phone's performance? It may have an effect, it may not.
On paper, the larger the RAM, the greater the space that can be used to store various applications for multitasking processes.
So, users don't need to close their favorite applications or clean RAM regularly.
However, this does not seem to apply to Apple-branded smartphones. Because, the RAM capacity on the iPhone is usually not as big as an Android phone, even though both are from the same generation or launched in the same year.
However, that does not mean the iPhone is slower than Android phones. The reason is, the various applications that run on the iPhone are usually optimized in such a way, so as not to eat up excess RAM, but still run smoothly.
This is possible because the iPhone runs Apple's own operating system (OS), namely iOS.
On the other hand, mobile phones with Android OS are used by many mobile phone vendors, so the optimization process for various applications may be inconvenient for the application developers themselves.
In addition, the RAM management and notification system on the iPhone are also arranged in such a way by Apple to save more RAM.
Big RAM, should?
Another question then arises, do we need a phone with a large RAM? The answer to this question, of course, depends on the use of the phone owner.
Because, the more applications that are installed or run, the more RAM is needed.
This also applies when playing games. If users like to play various heavy games, such as PUBG Mobile or Asphalt 9, then they actually need more RAM so that the game can be loaded into RAM.
Because, the two games will take up about 1 GB of RAM while running, as compiled by SafeZhe.eu.org from Android Authority.
The middle class smartphones sold in the market today are equipped with RAM with a capacity that can be said to be quite large compared to previous years.