Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Does 3 GB of RAM matter?
- Thread starter MacSafe
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The 8+ and the X both have 3GB. The standard 8 only has 2.
You wouldn't notice it much, Apple wouldn't release a phone that can't handle itself but it's always a good thing to have. Especially if you use a lot of apps or specifically power hungry ones.
[doublepost=1505646672][/doublepost]
iOS is extremely efficient. This is why iPhones always have so much less than leading Android phones. Some people see it as a downside but really it's a bonus that you can get away with so little and often still run smoother.
You wouldn't notice it much, Apple wouldn't release a phone that can't handle itself but it's always a good thing to have. Especially if you use a lot of apps or specifically power hungry ones.
[doublepost=1505646672][/doublepost]
iOS is extremely efficient. This is why iPhones always have so much less than leading Android phones. Some people see it as a downside but really it's a bonus that you can get away with so little and often still run smoother.
3 GB helps to reduce app reloads over 2 GB for heavy users.
http://www.redmondpie.com/2gb-ram-in-iphone-7-vs-3gb-ram-in-iphone-7-plus-comparison-video/
The improvement is nowhere near as dramatic as 2 GB over 1 GB, but it’s still an improvement for some users, even back in iOS 10 in 2016.
So, I’d say:
1 GB: Really annoying. Definitely insufficient.
2 GB: OK
3 GB: Better for some users, but not much different than 2 GB for others.
My guess is 2018 will bring the iPhone XI with 3 GB and a new iPhone XI Plus with 4 GB. We are at the tail end of this 2/3 GB memory tier generation in 2017.
http://www.redmondpie.com/2gb-ram-in-iphone-7-vs-3gb-ram-in-iphone-7-plus-comparison-video/
The improvement is nowhere near as dramatic as 2 GB over 1 GB, but it’s still an improvement for some users, even back in iOS 10 in 2016.
So, I’d say:
1 GB: Really annoying. Definitely insufficient.
2 GB: OK
3 GB: Better for some users, but not much different than 2 GB for others.
My guess is 2018 will bring the iPhone XI with 3 GB and a new iPhone XI Plus with 4 GB. We are at the tail end of this 2/3 GB memory tier generation in 2017.
Ever heard of the iPhone 6? That was outdated the day it came out. Don't u remember?
2gb will make ur phone obsolete within 1-2 years
They definitely wouldn't do that, but they would release later iOS updates which could render your device almost unusable due to low RAM, so the more the merrier.
Quite true. Most people will upgrade before that time comes, even if you're in the still quite large number that won't, you can never have too much of a good thing.
^
This. iOS is efficient, but if there's one thing though where more RAM helps with, it's with graphics. The higher the resolution the screen, the more RAM you want.
isn't more ram using more battery life ? and iOS is really incredible at memory management, even the guys at Androidauthority admitted that its way, way better, and they have no clue how apple did this but apple nailed that one for sure.
I feel what you are saying with my iPhone 6+.
1GB of RAM runs out quickly, apps I want active stop working to make room for other apps I want active. It's a mess, specially if you happen to use a buggy app that eats more RAM than it should.
But you are now assuming everyone will use a phone and apps you have in the same way you do....
Maybe, that's not so? It's all about the workflow.
A 1GB device is more than fine to run email, the odd google and a few apps... what you should really be saying is 'apple sort out your crap' 1GB servers ran enterprises on less and this is a phone - fix the bloat.
1 GB has been a problem even for light usage for many years now.
To be honest while 1GB is not enough for me, most people I know with 1GB iPhones don't share my frustrations. They will listen to music, maybe take a call, maybe send a snap or a message. A gig is enough for the average consumer.
They will mostly ask for more space since most of them have 16GB iPhones or a better camera.
Blame apple for pointless features like the talking turd thats sucking the ram from the device..
Remove the bloat, it's a phone we shouldn't need 3 or 4GB of RAM... allow users to turn them off.
iOS 6 with 1GB was smooth and didn't require a data center full of resources...
2 is fine, but I would lean towards 3 as the new sweet spot. You'll see 4 on the X Plus or whatever it's called next year, introduced with some new multitasking on the larger model.
True, but if they do a fair bit of multi-tab browsing, the memory issue becomes really frustrating really quickly.
With my iPhone 5S, I used to always be in fear of the page reloads. If I was entering a form or a forum message in Safari for example, and I go to another page or application to check my info, I'd come back to the Safari page only to have it reload. Really, really irritating. That rarely happens on my 3 GB iPhone 7 Plus now. It makes for a much nicer surfing experience.
In 2017 on iOS, IMO the functional minimum is 2 GB, but I'm waiting for RAM upgrades before updating my wife's 6s. I hope to see a 3 GB XI in 2018 and a 4 GB XI Plus then too.