Is 4GB RAM enough on Android nowadays?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I still have the Samsung S5 with 2GB RAM and even with a stock Android Nougat rom it is severely limited in performance due to its low RAM. Modern apps like Facebook, Messenger, Chrome, etc are complete and total memory hogs.

Even with Facebook uninstalled, Messenger replaced with Messenger Lite, and Chrome replaced with Opera, the phone is still slow unless I routinely clear the app drawer. It's also very very annoying that apps I use once a month or less still run in the background anyway (Instagram, etc) unless I completely uninstall them.

So I'm definitely looking into upgrading to a new (used) phone. Would I be ok with 4GB, or should I only focus on phones with 6GB RAM?

I can get an HTC U11 with 128GB / 6GB for $400. I'm also looking at the Moto Z2 Force 128GB / 6GB, but it's only available in Europe.

None of the 8GB RAM phones seem to have a high enough screen PPI for VR at the moment.

 

[gorcorps]

IMO 4gb is still enough, but people claim to see gains with more. The galaxy s8 has 4GB and I think it's plenty. I'm sure more would help but I wouldn't call it a must have

 

[happy medium]

If I were to buy a phone today ,I would be lookong for 6gb phones.

My 4gb phone usually has 1gb to spare if I'm lucky.

 

[Anubis]

current phone has 4 apparently and it seems fine to me. i haven't cared about ram and CPU specs on a phone in years, its become a nonissue to me

 

[tsupersonic]

If I were to buy a phone today ,I would be lookong for 6gb phones.

My 4gb phone usually has 1gb to spare if I'm lucky.

I have 4 GB, and also have 1-1.5 GB available. It's not a bad thing for memory to be used so that the phone can be optimized. 4 GB is still plenty for mainstream users. Tech enthusiasts or spec chasers will always want more, even if it's not warranted for their use.

 

[jamesdave]

Mine has a 4 GB RAM and 32 GB ROM along with as 32 GB memory card and it still works quite fine. So I think 4 GB is enough RAM for a smart phone.

 

[homebrew2ny]

2 is enough. 3 is good. 4 or more is better...

 

[killster1]

what you should worry about is THE CAMERA! get the one that suits you best. If low light or what ever. I wouldnt get anything less than a Galaxy S8. Also worry about onboard storage if it doesnt have a memory card slot.

Lastly i say min ram is 4gb but why would you buy less than a galaxy s7 anyway they are so cheap nowdays. (can find them for 150 on ebay at most)

 

[Raduque]

If you want 8gb ram and a VR-capable display, you need to get a Note 9 512gb, period. GearVR is the only way to do VR on mobile; Daydream and Cardboard are junk compared to it.

4gb is perfectly fine. If you can keep your multitasking to a minimum, even 3gb is fine.

 

[smitbret]

I still have the Samsung S5 with 2GB RAM and even with a stock Android Nougat rom it is severely limited in performance due to its low RAM. Modern apps like Facebook, Messenger, Chrome, etc are complete and total memory hogs.

Even with Facebook uninstalled, Messenger replaced with Messenger Lite, and Chrome replaced with Opera, the phone is still slow unless I routinely clear the app drawer. It's also very very annoying that apps I use once a month or less still run in the background anyway (Instagram, etc) unless I completely uninstall them.

So I'm definitely looking into upgrading to a new (used) phone. Would I be ok with 4GB, or should I only focus on phones with 6GB RAM?

I can get an HTC U11 with 128GB / 6GB for $400. I'm also looking at the Moto Z2 Force 128GB / 6GB, but it's only available in Europe.

None of the 8GB RAM phones seem to have a high enough screen PPI for VR at the moment.

Enough for what? To make phone calls, send texts, browse the web and play simple games? Yep, 2GB is plenty.

 

[dark zero]

I have a Leeco Le Max 2 and Le Pro 3 with 4 GB RAM and is no longer enough... Android is so unoptimized that are memory hogs... Chrome is one of the biggest offenders. And even that I am using Lineage OS without any Google services to keep as memory free as possible.

I am looking now for the PocoPhone F1...

 

[GoodEnough]

Moto X Pure 2015 has 3GB and I've never had an issue with it.
Currently running Android v7. Lightning fast. Always.