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How much RAM really?

I have a 7" Galaxy Tab 2 and my understanding was that it has a Gig of RAM, but all my task management apps report a max of just under 700 megs of RAM. I know some is probably locked and reserved for the system but that seems like a lot... Anyone know where the rest has gone?

titanshadow said:
I have a 7" Galaxy Tab 2 and my understanding was that it has a Gig of RAM, but all my task management apps report a max of just under 700 megs of RAM. I know some is probably locked and reserved for the system but that seems like a lot... Anyone know where the rest has gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you said, it's reserved for system, but if you find too much RAM used, you can click the clear memory button in task manager.

I was wondering the same thing for awhile I thought it was an issue with my tab because on stock my performance was vile compared to how I thought it should perform. Rooted it and flashed today and there is definately an improvement in my benchmarks.

titanshadow said:
I have a 7" Galaxy Tab 2 and my understanding was that it has a Gig of RAM, but all my task management apps report a max of just under 700 megs of RAM. I know some is probably locked and reserved for the system but that seems like a lot... Anyone know where the rest has gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds about right to me. The default system on a lot of devices uses more RAM than you would think. Flashing to a custom rom will definitely help with that. I flashed mine to CM9 last night and I noticed a big difference in performance. I like it even more now.

I think this is a common thing for all things stock android... my JB (4.1.1) Galaxy Nexus phone (takju build) does the same thing... quite annoying really.

1gbyte but as i know the kernel reserves some memory for system use
Sent from Galaxy S2 or Galaxy Tab2

batkinson001 said:
I think this is a common thing for all things stock android... my JB (4.1.1) Galaxy Nexus phone (takju build) does the same thing... quite annoying really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the difference if it doesn't show you system reserved RAM, or it shows it to you, but it's always fully used?

imnuts said:
What's the difference if it doesn't show you system reserved RAM, or it shows it to you, but it's always fully used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would be nice if they would put a notification or something to indicate this in the menu area as most will not know where their ram went & probably complain about false advertising or something.

RAM left after loading phone with apps

Hello,
Can anyone here help me to report about ram left when you first get the phone and after you have loaded your phone with apps (viber whatsapp fb etc) these apps always taking up ram so much even when idling in background... I am asking this because i am still surveying which phone i should get. Its either nexus 5 or moto g. If the ram left is still plenty, i guess i might be able to survive with the motog for at least another two years and save some bucks along the way for other purposes. If not, i would opt for the nexus 5, although it would burn my wallet a bit. Thanks!
Edit: And.. I would be happy if there is anyone who would like to report ram usage before and after kitkat since Google has been vocal about kitkat being able to run on phone with 512mb ram, and being ram effiicient.

urra901109 said:
Hello,
Can anyone here help me to report about ram left when you first get the phone and after you have loaded your phone with apps (viber whatsapp fb etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure i'll try answer your question or give you some kind of idea about the amount of RAM left, i have a UK Moto G with Kitkat UK
Ok so I powered on the Moto G, waited 5 minutes while looking at the Running screen inside the Apps settings,
and i see 479MB Used & 403MB free (give or take a a couple of MB)
The user apps that are idling, are :
Vault = 14MB
Kik = 11MB
Applock = 6.2MB
Comodo Security = 4.8MB
If i then open up the 3 main apps that i frequently open (twitter, Kik, Gmail) and go back to the Running Apps Screen,
i see 494MB used & 388MB free
Hope this helps

urra901109 said:
Hello,
Can anyone here help me to report about ram left when you first get the phone and after you have loaded your phone with apps (viber whatsapp fb etc) these apps always taking up ram so much even when idling in background... I am asking this because i am still surveying which phone i should get. Its either nexus 5 or moto g. If the ram left is still plenty, i guess i might be able to survive with the motog for at least another two years and save some bucks along the way for other purposes. If not, i would opt for the nexus 5, although it would burn my wallet a bit. Thanks!
Edit: And.. I would be happy if there is anyone who would like to report ram usage before and after kitkat since Google has been vocal about kitkat being able to run on phone with 512mb ram, and being ram effiicient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can live without 4g get the moto g,I use this the same as my HTC one and its super smooth, I run a lot of apps and ram isn't an issue, ram being used is a good thing too,as it means app launch faster as they are stored in memory,saying that I usually have over 200 MB free.

@OP your understanding of RAM is wrong.
Do not worry about the RAM usage.
RAM IS THERE TO BE USED.
There is no point in the system keeping lots of RAM free, this makes the system perform worse. The idea is that as apps are used (either started by the user or automatically started when an app is woken etc) they are of course using RAM, the system keeps them in RAM so they can quickly be accessed next time they are required.
If the system closed all apps etc to free RAM you basically end up with more free RAM, but for what purpose. No use it sitting there empty - may as well go and buy a phone with 128MB rather than 1024MB if you dont want to use much RAM.
If you start an app that needs a lot of RAM (more than is currently free) the system just removes older apps from RAM to free up the RAM required.
It is not worth comparing your phone's normal RAM usage to another phone, each person has different apps and uses the phone in different ways. It makes no sense at all to compare two phones where RAM is concerned.
If your phone is running fine and you have some free RAM, even if just a smallish amount, then most likely things are running just as they should.

@scott_doyland @kierancc88 @cra1g321 thank you for your detailed reply..
@scott_doyland @kieran88: i have same idea about the ram being used is a good thing. But what bothers me is the survivability of the moto g in the next future update for it. Today, according to @cra1g321 and @kierancc88 both reporting that the OS itself is already eating around ~ 700Mb of available RAM w/o any other apps running. What could this number be in the future, will the OS takes more RAM? Thus making reduced RAM available for other apps. Currently i am using SE phone from 2011 with 512mb ram, while it is very responsive on Gingerbread, it does suffer on ICS, my Tasker profile always closes itself due to low ram(most probable culprit). I am afraid it would happen all over like that in the future, but at the same time google seems to move towards more efficient ram usage. Lets hope the ram usage wont increase so much in the next android update.
Butttt.. Maybe i am complicating stuff.. anyways, thanks guys!

urra901109 said:
@scott_doyland @kierancc88 @cra1g321 thank you for your detailed reply..
@scott_doyland @kieran88: i have same idea about the ram being used is a good thing. But what bothers me is the survivability of the moto g in the next future update for it. Today, according to @cra1g321 and @kierancc88 both reporting that the OS itself is already eating around ~ 700Mb of available RAM w/o any other apps running. What could this number be in the future, will the OS takes more RAM? Thus making reduced RAM available for other apps. Currently i am using SE phone from 2011 with 512mb ram, while it is very responsive on Gingerbread, it does suffer on ICS, my Tasker profile always closes itself due to low ram(most probable culprit). I am afraid it would happen all over like that in the future, but at the same time google seems to move towards more efficient ram usage. Lets hope the ram usage wont increase so much in the next android update.
Butttt.. Maybe i am complicating stuff.. anyways, thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally, your point is correct; however, KitKat is actually designed to better utilize a smaller amount of RAM than Jelly Bean. Theoretically, according to Google at least, a phone with 512mb of RAM will run KitKat better than it will Jelly Bean. Theoretically.

When android boots it loads apps into memory, its isn't just the OS that's using ram after a reboot.
Try it - reboot phone and look at running AND cached apps.

bought the dual sim variant of moto g.. Hehehe. So far i am very happy.

scott_doyland said:
@OP your understanding of RAM is wrong.
Do not worry about the RAM usage.
RAM IS THERE TO BE USED.
There is no point in the system keeping lots of RAM free, this makes the system perform worse. The idea is that as apps are used (either started by the user or automatically started when an app is woken etc) they are of course using RAM, the system keeps them in RAM so they can quickly be accessed next time they are required.
If the system closed all apps etc to free RAM you basically end up with more free RAM, but for what purpose. No use it sitting there empty - may as well go and buy a phone with 128MB rather than 1024MB if you dont want to use much RAM.
If you start an app that needs a lot of RAM (more than is currently free) the system just removes older apps from RAM to free up the RAM required.
It is not worth comparing your phone's normal RAM usage to another phone, each person has different apps and uses the phone in different ways. It makes no sense at all to compare two phones where RAM is concerned.
If your phone is running fine and you have some free RAM, even if just a smallish amount, then most likely things are running just as they should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally, someone that understands what RAM is really all about.
Too often, I see people trying to limit how much RAM is being used for no good reason. Like what was said, RAM is there to be used, not saved for a rainy day.

I do understand that ram is there to be use. Honestly, the moto g performs really well to my liking. But when i asked the ram usage i was referring to "future proofness" of the device. Good by today's standard but may not be the same after 1-2 android update. Since every update seems to be more resource hungry.
Conclusion: the moto g is very well built product for what we are doing "right now" but with very little wiggle room(RAM) for any future update.
Sent from my XT1033 using xda app-developers app

It seems with Android their focus is to reduce needed resources, that was one of the main features in 4.4
We cant predict the future but Linux/Windows 8 runs fine with 1GB of RAM so if Android begins to exceed this then we need a new mobile OS.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app

urra901109 said:
I do understand that ram is there to be use. Honestly, the moto g performs really well to my liking. But when i asked the ram usage i was referring to "future proofness" of the device. Good by today's standard but may not be the same after 1-2 android update. Since every update seems to be more resource hungry.
Conclusion: the moto g is very well built product for what we are doing "right now" but with very little wiggle room(RAM) for any future update.
Sent from my XT1033 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also depends if you will always want to update to the latest and greatest OS. Personally Im still running 4.3 on my moto g. The reason is that its performing very well and there is nothing in 4.4.2 that I want. Of course its tempting to upgrade to 4.4.2 to have those few hours of excitement but after those initial few hours I will be using my phone to do exactly the same things as Im doing now.
The only reason I would upgrade to a later Android version is if an app I used a lot became incompatible with 4.3 or if a new Android version increased battery life by some amazing amount.
So the chances are that for me, 4.3 on moto g, is very future proof.
Also consider that in just a couple of years its likely the moto g wont get any more official updates anyway so whether it can run Android version 6 (or whatever) with only 1GB RAM may not even be a point of discussion unless you want to run a custom ROM. If you do this the chances are you will probably have a trimmed down Android anyway, ie GAPPS initially removed etc so RAM usage will be less. Although I appreciate GAPPS isnt part of the OS as such and any GAPPS can be removed from RAM by the OS when required - so my point is sort of skewed there anyway
But I agree with the post above, if 1GB is not enough for the OS and a decent amount of apps to run well then Android is not an OS you really want to be using on a phone regardless of the amount of RAM you actually have.

[Q] 2gb RAM vs 3gb and future development

Hi all,
looking for a nice smartphone that sports a big battery life, I've always had 3GB of RAM as a second must. Now I've got my eye on a phone that comes in 2GB and 3GB version. I've read on this forum in a couple of older posts that 2GB should be more than enough (normal use) and that 3GB is future proofing or for heavy multi taskers.
Is this still true? Or is 3GB RAM the best buy these days? What is more RAM good for? Is 2GB of RAM enough with the new Lollipop version? Will 2GB be enough in one years time?
Hope someone can shed some recent light on this subject!

Sewrizer said:
Could you be more specific? RAM usage depends on ROM: vanilla android takes a small amount, therefore 2GB should be enough. Touchwiz, on the other hand takes a lot more ( Note 3 SM-N9005 uses 2,1GB out of 2,75). This is just a guideline, of course, but I am sure Samsung, LG and HTC will make their heavy theming and bloating even heavier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try! atm I am looking at the HUAWEI Mate 7 as a possible new phone. Massive battery, slim bezels! In my country the 2GB version is standard, the 3GB version will be a lot more difficult to purchase ( and of course, it is more expensive).
That is why I wonder if 2GB is enough on a phone that I will most likely use in 2014 and 2015. Can they run the latest android versions that will be coming up, and most apps without problems? Or if 3GB already is the standard and I shouldn't settle for a phone that has less?
I know it is a very general question, but I hope I've given enough information for a good answer. :good:
P.s.: I think this question should have been posted in Q&A section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it does, my appologies, and I would not mind anyone moving it.

Thanks for your opinion! It keeps the Mate 7 at the top of my list atm

Yeah you should def go for the mate 7, its a good phone and i have my eyes on it also

Possible to import Galaxy S7 built prompt to Galaxy S6 for RAM Management?

Hey Guys, as you might have already noticed , Galaxy S6 been having RAM management issue for quite a while, the latest 5.1.1 had fixed partial of the problem. Now my S6 can hold 4 apps at the background without reloading. I have tested this through 1 month, as long as i have 4 apps at the background, i can open those app without ever refreshing itself, the moment, I open a new app, one of the 4 background app will refresh itself. I hope in Marshmallow update, it would allow us to hold 6 at lest app+ on the background.
I have noticed the Galaxy S7 has significantly better RAM Management after watching a few YouTube videos of it. Here are some links to Galaxy S7 RAM Management tests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbOtzNWNLXo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FShodTbtSGE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssTg8cwYE4
I'm very impressed with the S7 RAM Management, it can handle more than 10 apps at the background without refreshment.
is it possible to import Galaxy S7 built.prop to Galaxy S6 , to help us with RAM Management. We have tried before to use other phone's built.prop to fix the Galaxy S6 RAM Management when it was on android 5.0
I really hope we can use Galaxy S7's built.prop in our Galaxy S6 for better RAM Management.

MM has brought huge positive impact on the ram management on s6. Lollipop was a joke on ram management.
Also take into consideration, S7 has 4GB of ram, while our precious S6 has 3gb
Sent fra min SM-G925F via Tapatalk

ole12 said:
MM has brought huge positive impact on the ram management on s6. Lollipop was a joke on ram management.
Also take into consideration, S7 has 4GB of ram, while our precious S6 has 3gb
Sent fra min SM-G925F via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you say that the "memory leak" is fixed on MM?
Where I live, Galaxy s6 is still on Lollipop

Vlad, I probably wouldn't say Memory Leak is fixed on MM, I have watched serval youtube video on S6 MM , there is improvement but it's still not good enough. I have not received MM on my S6 yet also.
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

[email protected] said:
Vlad, I probably wouldn't say Memory Leak is fixed on MM, I have watched serval youtube video on S6 MM , there is improvement but it's still not good enough. I have not received MM on my S6 yet also.
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would consider flashing new MM via Odin as a more safe option rather than editing system files. Unless you have a locked variant, ofc.
And yes, things have been improved much since lollipop.

ole12 said:
MM has brought huge positive impact on the ram management on s6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL :laugh: I'm dying....
I can assure you it's not "huge", it's absolutely minimal! Going from 3-4 apps to ~10 (NOT HEAVY ON THE RAM!) apps is way far from "huge"
If the best smartphone for 2015 cannot manage to keep ten apps without redrawing it, while phones with 2GB of RAM and stock android from 2014 can do that and even more, than yeah, but no! RAM management is still ****!

Wow[emoji3]

12GB RAM ???

For my usage even 6GB ram in my S9+ is enough, so the 8GB version of OP7 Pro should be more than enough. The question is: is 12GB RAM going to be FASTER than the 8GB in any way when only using ONE app\benchmark\game at a time?? Cus I want the FASTEST.
As far as I know about how PCs work, more Ram only helps if you are using it... but then why did OP ''leak'' the cpu benchmark from the 12GB variant? https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/05/...isting-confirms-12-gb-ram-and-snapdragon-855/

sensationvsgalaxy said:
For my usage even 6GB ram in my S9+ is enough, so the 8GB version of OP7 Pro should be more than enough. The question is: is 12GB RAM going to be FASTER than the 8GB in any way when only using ONE app\benchmark\game at a time?? Cus I want the FASTEST.
As far as I know about how PCs work, more Ram only helps if you are using it... but then why did OP ''leak'' the cpu benchmark from the 12GB variant? https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/05/...isting-confirms-12-gb-ram-and-snapdragon-855/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More RAM = More App memory

sensationvsgalaxy said:
For my usage even 6GB ram in my S9+ is enough, so the 8GB version of OP7 Pro should be more than enough. The question is: is 12GB RAM going to be FASTER than the 8GB in any way when only using ONE app\benchmark\game at a time?? Cus I want the FASTEST.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You already know the answer.
By the time you need 12 gigs- you will probably become some 3 years older from now -- when a different SoC, GPU and the OS would actually want to make use of it on extremely intensive tasks.
sensationvsgalaxy said:
but then why did OP ''leak'' the cpu benchmark from the 12GB variant? https://www.gizmochina.com/2019/05/...isting-confirms-12-gb-ram-and-snapdragon-855/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know why "leaked" but all I can think of a phone having 12 gigs of RAM for now & also competitors following suit is all about BRAGGING RIGHTS.

Virgo_Guy said:
You already know the answer.
By the time you need 12 gigs- you will probably become some 3 years older from now -- when a different SoC, GPU and the OS would actually want to make use of it on extremely intensive tasks.
Don't know why "leaked" but all I can think of a phone having 12 gigs of RAM for now & also competitors following suit is all about BRAGGING RIGHTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS ..thats what I thought too..only that this video made me wonder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs_sCYQ8C3s& (starting 2:42..until then it's not interesting)

Virgo_Guy said:
You already know the answer.
By the time you need 12 gigs- you will probably become some 3 years older from now -- when a different SoC, GPU and the OS would actually want to make use of it on extremely intensive tasks.
Don't know why "leaked" but all I can think of a phone having 12 gigs of RAM for now & also competitors following suit is all about BRAGGING RIGHTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps - but if you get 2-3 Andiiod upgrades and you pass your phone on to kids, grandma or someone who's less of a power user, having a phone that works can be better than buying them a new one.
Or if things keep going the way they're going, you keep the phone yourself because there's no significant upgrade that merits buying a whole new phone as long as the current one still works fine.

Superguy said:
Perhaps - but if you get 2-3 Andiiod upgrades and you pass your phone on to kids, grandma or someone who's less of a power user, having a phone that works can be better than buying them a new one.
Or if things keep going the way they're going, you keep the phone yourself because there's no significant upgrade that merits buying a whole new phone as long as the current one still works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In both cases I doubt how much of a role the 12 gigs would play(highly doubtful) at all in comparison to 8 gigs, as that "additional" 4 gigs will have little to do with the system but a newer redesigned SoC definitely WILL - which will be absent.
I mean just adding some "Access gigs Of RAM " will not make the phone futureproof.

How many nand chips make up the 8Gb and the 12 GB?
If there are more chips in the 12gb version then it will eat more battery.

Just ordered the blue 12 G version ?

Unfortunate that 12GB is only available in blue.

Im about to order the 12GB version just for bragging rights. Does the 12GB actually make a difference to the performance? Unlikely if say. I have a 6T Mclaren and the 10GB makes zero difference over the ordinary 6T but with the Snapdragon maybe the extra ram is utilised who knows. Anyway Im hesitant as I don't want what Happened to the 6 to happen again a special edition Red color soon after. That really makes me angry. I was lucky to get the McLaren when I did. Don't want to spend over €800 and see that happening all over again.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app