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How Much RAM Does a Gaming Phone Need?

Purchasing a new gaming phone gives you endless opportunities to play the games you love. Instead of being chained to a console, desk, laptop, or PC, you’ve got all the gaming you need right there in your pocket. After all, most places – malls, coffee shops, hotels, and Air Bnbs – have stable wifi connections, so you can jump online any time and get a few minutes of a side quest or a new puzzle wherever you are. Something you need to consider, though, before you decide on the gaming phone that's right for you is how much RAM you need to be able to play the games you love and have no lag or other issues. We’ll share expert opinions and discuss some gaming phones on the market that offer the best experiences. Let’s take a look.

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What’s The Deal With RAM?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the hardware in any computing device that your OS (be it Apple, Android, or one of the other options) stores apps and data in current use. It's faster for your device to get to things in the RAM than in its “permanent” storage, so RAM is essential if you’re playing highly quality games and moving quickly. You need enough RAM space on your phone for today's high-quality AAA games to keep up and process your in-game actions without slowing down. Spinning on our favourite online slots UK may take up less RAM than playing Call of Duty. Still, you need a reasonable amount available to switch between games without encountering any issues.

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How Much RAM Do You Need?

If you’re purchasing a phone created with gaming in mind, you’re probably someone who’s pretty serious about gaming. The minimum amount of RAM a modern smartphone needs to function at the lowest possible level is around 2GB. Most of us have several apps that we can't do without: add a minimum of another 2GB to access and use these without any hiccups. Whether you’re a professional or just someone who loves to game, you need a phone with a minimum of 6GB, but 8GB would be a better choice if the option is available. You need to consider the fact that you need enough RAM to play the game you’re playing but also for the other applications on your phone, anything that operates in the background or messaging apps like Whatsapp, to perform simultaneously. RAM is a finite resource, so you need to manage it constantly. Having only the apps you need open and avoiding too many browser tabs at once will keep things flowing and let your phone spread that RAM out to everywhere that needs it, minimising the chances that anything will start to lag.

Many different kinds of gamers play thousands of other games on hundreds of different devices. The sort of games you play will influence what your minimum is for RAM. If you play simple games that don't require a lot of things to happen at one time, that minimum will be lower. If you’re a AAA person who loves fast action and intense, realistic graphics, then you’ll need to up that minimum if you want a smooth, frustration-free experience. RAM is one area where the phrase “more is more” is correct. You can operate well if you have more than you currently need to use, but never with less. Something to bear in mind is the concept of “future-proofing”: getting a phone with enough RAM that it will serve you well if your tastes change to include more demanding games in the future.

Which Gaming Phones Will Serve You Best?

Nubia Redmagic 7S Pro
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
Screen size: 6.8" AMOLED, 120Hz

This device is undoubtedly the best “value” option on the market. It includes some of the best gaming phone components available, but you’ll be paying a fraction of the price you’ll see tagged onto other devices. There's no finessing software, but the device's raw power is awe-inspiring.

Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Screen size: 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED

The long battery life on this Apple device makes it an excellent choice for gaming on-the-go. It doesn't hurt that there's a lot of extra screen space, either: it's the cinematic option for handheld gaming.

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Storage: 512GB
Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 165Hz

This is a pricey device, but it's well worth what suppliers ask. If you’re looking for a premium option, you’ve found it! All the internals are top of the range, and the vivid display brings you into the game world.

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Your gaming phone will be your pocket-sized best friend if you spend a lot of time playing games. The amount of RAM you need to get by is up to you and your needs, but it's one area of your phone that you should never skimp on. Take our advice, and you’ll be in a happy relationship with your new gaming phone for many years.