What is RAM: In today’s era, smartphone is no longer just a medium for making calls or sending messages. Features like social media, online gaming, video editing, digital payments and artificial intelligence have made the phone a powerful mini computer. But the thing that plays the most important role behind all these works is RAM. Often people pay attention to the camera and battery while buying a phone but do not fully understand the importance of RAM.
The full name of RAM is Random Access Memory. This is the temporary memory of the phone in which data is stored while apps and processes are running. The more RAM there is, the more apps will be able to run smoothly simultaneously and the performance of the phone will be better.
How does RAM work?
When you open an app in the phone, its important data goes from storage to RAM. The speed of RAM is much higher than that of storage, so the app opens fast and works without any lag. RAM is cleared as soon as you close the app or restart the phone.
If the RAM is less then the phone has to close apps frequently, background processes stop and the user has to face problems like lag or hang. This is the reason why today phones with 8GB or 12GB RAM are being preferred.
Why the increasing need of RAM in smartphones?
Till a few years ago, even phones with 2GB or 3GB RAM used to work fine. But now apps have become heavy, games have high-graphics and the operating system also demands more resources. Due to 5G, AI features, camera processing and multitasking, the demand for RAM is continuously increasing. Today, 8GB RAM has become common even in mid-range smartphones, whereas in the premium segment, 12GB to 16GB RAM is seen.
Why is lack of RAM becoming a big problem?
In recent times, there has been increased concern regarding the supply of RAM in the global market. The availability of RAM chips is being affected due to fluctuations in the semiconductor industry, increasing demand and limited production capacity. Apart from this, the demand for RAM has also increased rapidly in AI server, data center and laptop markets, which is putting pressure on the smartphone industry. When demand for something is high and supply is less, its price is bound to increase. The same situation is being seen with RAM chips.
How will RAM becoming expensive affect the price of smartphones?
Increase in the price of RAM has a direct impact on the total cost of the smartphone. The phone’s processor, camera and display are already becoming expensive. Now if RAM also becomes expensive then it will become difficult for companies to launch phones at low prices.
There is a possibility that in the coming times, phones with 6GB or 8GB RAM will also become more expensive than before. In the budget segment, companies will either reduce the RAM or will adopt the path of increasing the price.
What will change for budget smartphone users?
The shortage of RAM and increase in price may have the biggest impact on those buying budget smartphones. Earlier, where 6GB RAM was available for Rs 10-12 thousand, now options limited to 4GB RAM can be available at the same price.
Some companies are trying to fill this gap through software features like virtual RAM, but it is not a complete substitute for real RAM. Virtual RAM uses storage whose speed is not as fast as RAM.
What will happen in the premium smartphone segment?
Premium phones are already expensive, so the impact of RAM being expensive may be less felt there. But still a slight increase in the prices of flagship phones may be seen. High-end variants like 16GB RAM can be even more expensive. Along with this, companies can sell models with higher RAM at a higher premium price by providing less RAM in the base variant.
Changes happening in RAM technology
Smartphone RAM is changing not only in quantity but also in terms of technology. The journey from LPDDR4 to LPDDR5 and now LPDDR5X has been covered. New RAM technology is faster, power efficient and expensive. As companies adopt new technology, the cost will increase and its effect will be visible on the price of the phone.
What should users do?
If you are thinking of buying a new smartphone, do not ignore RAM. Keeping the future in mind, it may be wise to choose a phone with at least 8GB RAM. Apart from this, it is not necessary to buy an unnecessarily expensive phone just for the sake of more RAM. It is important to strike a balance according to your needs and usage.
RAM is the backbone of smartphone performance. Due to increasing technology and demand for apps, its need is continuously increasing. At the same time, lack of RAM and rising prices can make smartphones more expensive in the future. In such a situation, users will have to take a wise decision and companies will also have to strike a balance between price and features.
Also read:
Year-Ender 2025: From Ghibli to Nano Banana, these viral trends which created a stir all over social media
