Hello dear readers, it's time to take stock of our latest enthusiast competition. Let me remind you that this time we are giving away a Jabra Classic headset, and the theme of the competition is the optimal amount of RAM and internal memory. The winner's answer and the most interesting comments under the cut.
Traditionally, I'll start with the most interesting answers. For example, a reader with the nickname Lecron is guided by the principle of sufficiency:
Provocative question. Ideally, as much as is needed now, for each specific buyer, with the ability to increase, if necessary. I am not talking about reducing, since it is completely unrealistic. Memory rental, with money back, is hardly viable.
Therefore, the ability to use memory cards is a priority. Its volume is easier to change than the built-in one. Although there is a minus here, in the form of an increased price for the complication of a technical solution. But I don’t think the markup is significant, even in the conditions of budget devices. Since it is they who support the cards and at the same time do not upset with high prices.
At the same time, the amount of internal memory is limited not by the use of smartphones and tablets, but by the problems of operating systems. If we talk about the ideal, then it can only be enough to store the configs of the operating system and the address book. So that the device can be used for its main purpose – a telephone. And for user data – programs, their settings, various media – any storage location specified by the user should not cause any difficulties for the system.
But. In the absence of a stamp, we write in the usual one. The amount of RAM should be set as a percentage of its cost, to the cost of the device, but not less than 1GB. Thus, we will get a balanced device, in any price range, at any time (memory becomes cheaper) and the necessary minimum working for budget. I don't know how much it will be in percentage, but now we just have a similar situation. The flagships come for 3GB RAM, and even if it is not really needed there, then the extra gig is not noticeable in the price.
Flash volume should also be determined by this criterion, but not lower than 4GB. Moreover, if versions with a volume greater than the minimum are offered, do not tear for an additional 8-16GB more than a 64GB flash drive costs.
That is, at the moment, we get the minimum volumes of 1 and 4GB, and the optimal ones depend on the class of the device. 2 and 8-16GB for medium. 3 and 16-32GB for tops. Such values will suit the maximum number of users. At the same time, there will always be people whose recommended volumes differ from the optimal mass ones.
It's a pity that I myself sometimes get into such a group. In this case, it remains only to remember that the ideal is not attainable. And be glad that manufacturers, in pursuit of the best market coverage, often release models with a bias.
A reader with the nickname Omnis decided to share his opinion on the sufficient amount of memory for all three platforms (it is true that I did not specify the OS in my question):
I read it several times and realized that Eugene did not indicate the platform for the smartphone.
For iOS 1 gigabyte of RAM + ROM is enough for the user's needs. You often communicate with a PC or Mac, then you can take 16 gigabytes. Further gigabytes for lovers of photos and content.
WP also lacks 1 gigabyte of RAM with an average screen resolution + at least 8 gigabytes of ROM, because there is almost everywhere a slot for microSD. If the screen resolution is high, then 2 gigabytes is better.
Android has a more severe case. If the system is without whistles and fakes, then 1 gigabyte is enough for HD. If the shell weighs a lot and Full HD and higher screen resolution, then 2 gigabytes may not be enough. They always put 3-4 gigabytes with a margin on flagships. To consume content, you need 64 gigabytes + microSD, and 32 gigabytes will be enough as a built-in one without a memory card slot. If there is a slot, then you can take 16 gigabytes and expand the memory using microSD.
But the commentator with the nickname Stanislas laconically and objectively described what memory volumes are suitable for which segments:
Considering that the memory in a smartphone, unlike a PC, does not change and the buyer actually has no choice, then talking about a sufficient and optimal amount of RAM and built-in flash simply loses all meaning. In addition, not only the amount of memory depends on the quality of the device, but also its performance – that is why top-end devices with the same numbers in the specifications work smoother and lag less than cheaper ones.
As for RAM, the number of gigabytes for adequate operation largely depends on the screen resolution: the lion's share of the data that the program stores in the RAM is graphics represented by bitmaps – arrays of points – the size of which is set by the number of screen pixels. Therefore, manufacturers usually put 1 GB on smartphones with a QVGA screen, on HD – 2 GB, on FullHD – 3 GB. If the latter will have 2 GB, then this memory will be enough end-to-end – and the likelihood of delays when switching between applications will be high. On flagships with a QuadHD screen, for which 3 GB is enough in the same butt, the problem is solved due to the speed of memory.
As for the built-in flash memory, you should worry about its quantity for those who like to take pictures of everything and everything around them (16GB or more recommended, microSD slot is desirable), fans of watching movies and TV shows in HD quality (32 GB or more recommended on devices without a MicroSD slot , and if it is, then 16 GB + a good memory card is possible), as well as for fans of 'full-length' games that take up more than a gigabyte (installing programs on a memory card has a number of features and is not always possible, so you should pay attention to the volume of the internal flash) .
Dmitry Kvasnikov says that different manufacturers have different needs for RAM, as exemplified by Samsung and Sony:
I now have the feeling that everyone has different gigabytes?
Recently, I have been using a tablet as my main device and recently I changed the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 LTE to the Z3 Tablet Compact LTE. And if in Samsung with the same set of programs of internal memory there was free 900 megabytes, then in Z3 – 3.4 GB. Apparently, due to the fact that the Z3 does not have TouchWiz in the firmware and a large number of unnecessary programs. So you need to look not at the nominal amount of internal memory, but at the space available to the user. The Z3 has enough for me now.
My memory card now costs 64 GB, there is a lot of free space, I think it would be possible to place everything on 32 GB, especially after I deleted all the music from the card and now listen to it through Google Play Music, I download it for offline listening only favorite albums, and the rest is played directly from the internet when needed. 64 GB cards are now the best option in terms of price / quality ratio, for 128 Gb I don't see any reason to overpay, there the price of a gigabyte goes one and a half times more. But I don't advise you to take Sandisk cards, they sometimes suddenly die, and it is in Samsung devices. I had such a card replaced under warranty, and I put the new card in the camera, and the tablet contains a card of another company.
If we talk about RAM, then not its absolute volume is also important here, but the amount available for user programs. Now on the Z3 Tablet Compact I have about 600 megabytes of free space due to the large number of constantly running programs. Unfortunately, they are all needed and there is nothing to remove from memory, so even three gigabytes of RAM is not enough so that, for example, the browser and 2GIS can switch without reloading pages and the map, respectively. In this case, the system Android 5.0 occupies 842 MB of memory. In general, if you want to use your phone or tablet to the maximum, 3 GB of memory is really necessary, and I really want to see a device with 4 GB.
On the other hand, if you do not constantly use all messengers and social networks, as well as Pebble smart watches, full-fledged work with which also requires several constantly running programs, then two or even one GB of memory may be enough for an ordinary user. But I would not recommend budget phones with less than a gigabyte of memory, everything works too slowly on them, especially when switching between programs.
We liked Dmitry's commentary most of all, especially the part about tablets with personal impressions, so it was he who became the winner of our competition and received the Jabra Classic headset. Congratulations!
I ask the rest of the readers not to get upset, new contests will be coming very soon.