You probably use your smartphone more than any other computer every day and when it comes to operating any kind of computer, having more RAM is always a welcome thought. This way, you can multitask more and in the case for smartphones, you can leave more apps running. Hence, smartphones with the best RAM can be a good quality of life improvement.
Sadly, not all smartphone brands and manufacturers are open to the idea of cramming as much RAM into these pocket computers. That’s why we’ve cherry-picked certain brands and smartphones with the best RAM in case that’s what you value the most.
Consequently, smartphones with the best RAM also come bundled in with the latest chipsets so it’s a package deal most of the time, and the following phone models are proof enough.
OnePlus 11 (PBH110)
PROS
- Decent camera
- Impressive gaming performance
- Top-of-the-line gaming chipset
- 16GB is generous
- Reasonable price
- Good battery life
CONS
- Might not work with some American networks
- OnePlus bloatware
Specs:
- RAM / Memory: 16GB
- Size: 6.7 inches
- Storage: 256GB
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
OnePlus keeps it real with their consumers and they have no qualms about being generous with RAM. Their flagship device, the OnePlus 11 which was released just January 2023, comes with 16GB, which is the standard for a lot of gaming PCs these days.
And sure enough, this elegant device is also great for gaming since it comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is the latest and most powerful mobile gaming chipset. You’d expect this one to be too expensive given the specs, but it actually just sits below $800 (at the time of writing).
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
PROS
- Excellent camera that matches or even surpasses the iPhone
- Good battery life
- Included stylus pen
- Top-of-the-line gaming chipset
- Impressive gaming performance
- Beautiful screen
CONS
- Samsung really needs to be more generous with RAM
- Expensive
- Samsung bloatware
Specs:
- RAM / Memory: 12GB
- Size: 6.8 inches
- Storage: 256GB
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
We mentioned that certain smartphone manufacturers are not exactly keen on being generous with RAM Samsung is sadly one of those and even its flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra is 4GB short of OnePlus 11’s memory greatness.
However, that’s not a bad tradeoff for an included and excellent stylus pen and the best camera for 2023 mobile phones (even beating the latest iPhone). Of course, it’s also an elegant device that works well with all carriers thanks to Samsung’s support.
Asus ROG Phone 7
PROS
- Reasonable price
- Generous RAM (for the 16GB version)
- Great for gaming
- Good cooling system
- Top-of-the-line gaming chipset
- Good battery life
- High refresh rate
CONS
- Gamer aesthetic isn't for everyone
- So-so camera
Specs:
- RAM / Memory: 12GB
- Size: 6.7 inches
- Storage: 256GB
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Look at that, even the Asus ROG Phone 7 has RAM that matches the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. There are also versions of this phone with 16GB of RAM though they’re more expensive and are often out-of-stock. Regardless, Asus is certainly more generous with their RAM; they have to be.
This phone was made with gaming in mind and it even comes with several features that cater to gamers. The important would be the cooling system to ensure that the phone doesn’t get too hot or annoying to the touch during prolonged gaming sessions.
Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
PROS
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is only one generation behind the latest
- Good refresh rate
- Has physical gaming triggers on the sides
- Decent camera
- Reasonable price
CONS
- Battery capacity could be better
Specs:
- RAM / Memory: 12GB
- Size: 6.67 inches
- Storage: 256GB
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Since we’re featuring high-RAM phones, then even our ‘budget’ option falls in the mid-range price category though it’s not that expensive compared to the phones above. It’s nearly half the price but only slightly less capable in gaming and in RAM performance.
It has the same RAM amount as Samsung’s flagship phone and it also comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 which is only marginally weaker compared to the Gen 2. More importantly for gamers, it comes with physical shoulder or trigger buttons to help with input and controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How important is RAM for smartphones?
Sluggishness and hangups are some of the most frustrating disruptions that can happen when using your smartphone. More RAM can alleviate or even eliminate this issue. That's how important it is. -
Is smartphone RAM the same as PC RAM?
Not really. Smartphone RAM uses lower power and has a lower profile, meaning it's not as fast or as capable as regular computer RAM.