RAM shortage continues

The ongoing shortage of RAM memory is showing no signs of improvement, leading to component shortages that are forcing some companies to bring back older products and causing general price increases that are raising concerns about the future of the industry.

DDR4 becomes more expensive than DDR5

Even DDR4 memory, which is an older generation of RAM, is now more expensive than DDR5, highlighting how severe the current memory crisis has become. This price inversion is an unusual and worrying development for manufacturers and consumers alike.

Smartphone manufacturers may reduce RAM in new models

According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital, several smartphone manufacturers may be considering a step back in technology by producing mid-range smartphones with a maximum of 8 GB of RAM and entry-level models with as little as 4 GB of RAM. This would be a cost-cutting measure, but it could also lead to reduced performance in the devices.

Users express concerns about Android 17 on low-end devices

Comments on Fixed Focus Digital's post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo show concerns that Android 17 might not run smoothly on devices with only 4 GB of RAM. While it is technically possible to run the operating system on such devices, performance could be significantly impacted.

Android 17 recommends at least 6 GB of RAM

In 2026, a minimum of 6 GB of RAM is recommended for the standard version of Android 17. Smartphones with 2 to 4 GB of RAM are advised to use Android Go, a lightweight version of the operating system designed for lower-end devices.

AI features require more powerful hardware

Certain AI-related features, such as Gemini Intelligence, require at least 12 GB of RAM to function properly. This means that devices with lower RAM specifications may not be able to support these advanced features, even if they technically run the latest version of Android.