How much phone memory and storage do I need?
Find out the ideal phone memory your smartphone
needs to suit your usage.
Is RAM important on a smartphone?
The more RAM your smartphone has the quicker you can access and switch between apps without experiencing any lag. Without RAM, apps would close when you switch to another app, causing delays and slowing your phone down.
What is the difference between phone storage and memory?
Phone memory refers to RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM is the part of the phone that is used to store the operating system (OS) and where apps and data currently in use are kept. Whereas, phone storage is used to store data such as apps, photos, videos, and files that are necessary for the phone to run. RAM is a lot faster than phone storage but you don’t have as much of it.
How much memory do videos use?
Recording in 4K will use around 300MB of storage for every 1 minute of filming. Whilst recording in Full HD only uses approximately 100MB of storage per minute. Operating at 4x the resolution of 4K UHD, 8K requires around 600MB of storage per minute of recording. Whilst this is a significant amount, you have the option to choose up to a whopping 1TB of expandable storage with the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra, and 256GB or 512GB with the Galaxy S24+, so you’ll have plenty of space for all your recordings.
What are GB?
When you're choosing your new Samsung smartphone you will need to decide between different Gigabytes options. But, if you are not familiar with this technology jargon you may be wondering what does Gigabytes actually mean? GB is an abbreviation for gigabyte, you may also hear it referred to as ‘gigs’. It’s simply the measurement used to calculate storage on smartphones, computers, tablets and gaming consoles.
How much phone storage do photos use?
Although photo file sizes differ between smartphones depending on their camera specs, on average each photo requires 5MB of storage. For the occasional photographer, 1GB should be enough phone storage for 200 photos. If you’re a selfie addict, 30GB will allow you to store approximately 6,000 photos. Working out what you need will help in deciding which phone to buy that suits your photo-taking habits.
Are you a gamer or a photographer? You might need more storage
Taking lots of photos and videos or playing graphic-intensive games will all place huge storage demands on your smartphone.
How much RAM for gaming?
For gaming beginners, 8GB of memory is a good starting point. However, we recommend at least 16GB of memory to ensure an uninterrupted, speedy and high quality gaming experience.
For more advanced players who prefer large adventure games with lots of exploration and high quality graphics then 32GB+ is more suitable. Large RAM is also advised for those who like to record and share their gameplay.
Checkout Samsung’s Memory & Storage options, including 2TB portable SSD & PRO Endurance microSD card 256GB. Take your gaming experience to the next level.
Browse our full range of SSD hard drives and our industry-leading memory cards and storage devices here.
Is 128GB enough for a phone?
Overall, for most casual smartphone users 64GB phone memory is enough, although many people prefer to choose between 128GB and 256GB. Those who use their mobile phone to the absolute maximum should consider phones with storage of 512GB and 1TB to avoid running out of storage space and suffering with a slow phone speed.
A 128GB smartphone on average can store:
• 900 photos
• 60 minutes of UHD video
• 1,000 songs
• 100+ apps and games
• 20 movies
Calculating how much phone storage you need
When you calculate your potential usage remember that you will need to leave enough space for additional files and software updates (approx. 10GB). You should then add 20% to allow for a buffer. You can also increase your phone’s memory capacity with a Micro SD card1. Explore our range of Micro SDs here.
It’s important to remember that the numbers discussed are estimates and the exact photo, video and app size will always vary.
How do I get more storage space for my phone?
You can increase the storage on your phone by increasing your phones memory with SSD hard drives and Memory cards. The Samsung Pro Plus microSD Card also has 256GB of storage & gives you up to 140K hours of 4K recording.
What about storing games & apps?
Typically, individual apps can use between 40MB – 1GB of phone storage. If you anticipate downloading just a few key apps and the odd game, then 5GB of storage space should be plenty. If you are a pro gamer and plan to download 200+ apps and large games, then you will require 50GB of phone storage.
Explore our smartphones with the highest phone storage
1Micro SD card sold separately. External memory can be used to store media (photos, video and music files), but not applications.
Most common questions
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