With the rise of AI applications and tools on our smartphones, we can certainly expect more upgrades, such as memory capacity. According to the well-known leakster DigitalChat, he suggested that the next-generation Android flagships could launch with as much as 24GB of RAM.
Why So Much Memory?
The push for higher RAM appears to be driven by on-device AI demands. Large language models (LLMs) and other generative AI tools need to load quickly into a smartphone’s memory to work smoothly and responsively.
Industry insiders have leaked plans for 24GB LPDDR5X memory under the “Oga” grouping (OPPO, OnePlus, realme). Plus, analysts project that AI workloads could soon make 16 to 24GB the new norm in flagship devices. They believe RAM latency (versus slow storage) is critical to delivering quick, always-ready AI experiences.
Beyond Just Background Apps
While additional RAM also aids multitasking, its key value lies in providing enough headroom for AI models to run locally. Even compact AI models like Vicuna-7B can require around 6GB of RAM alone.
This is exactly what happened with the iPhone 15 series, in which the Pro variants only got Apple Intelligence because the standard and the Plus models' memory configuration could not match the required AI workload.
Is It Overkill?
Opinions vary. Some see 24GB as excessive for today’s use cases, but most users don’t max out even 16GB. But if phones are expected to act like portable AI assistants that continuously run local LLMs, the extra memory could be justified.
With generative AI features set to play a major role in future smartphones, 24GB RAM may soon be more than a spec-sheet brag - it could become a practical necessity for smooth, on-device AI performance. However, its true impact depends on how quickly AI capabilities are integrated into everyday mobile use.
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