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Smartphone manufacturers are managing the limited supply and rising costs of memory and storage components in different ways. Some are reducing the memory or storage included in their smartphones, while others are passing the additional costs directly on to consumers. Before the global memory shortage, it was not uncommon to find entry-level smartphones equipped with 6GB to 8GB of memory. However, many manufacturers have dialed memory down to 4GB, which will ultimately significantly impact device performance.
Google’s new memory limits are meant to help guarantee a smooth experience on smartphones with limited memory. If an application exceeds the predefined memory thresholds, the Android operating system will intervene by slowing down the application or forcibly closing it to prevent slowdowns or crashes. Google has called on developers to optimize three crucial areas: dynamic memory usage (anonymous RSS + swap), bitmap memory usage, and DEX code.
Dynamic memory usage refers to the temporary memory that an application consumes while it is running. Developers need to implement smarter memory management so memory is freed when it is no longer needed. This can be when the user is no longer interacting with the application or when it moves to the background.
Bitmap memory usage is another key area that developers must focus on. Bitmaps are common resources for displaying vibrant images, but they consume far more memory than displaying text. When overdone, excessive bitmap memory usage can easily eat up a device's memory. Google recommends that developers use bitmaps responsibly and use better image handling protocols.
Budget smartphone market collapses under the weight of memory shortages
Key considerations
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/phones/android/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/phones/android/google-clamps-down-on-android-app-ram-usage-amid-ai-memory-crisis-developers-have-until-february-2027-to-adapt-to-new-memory-optimizing-rules#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
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