Skip to main content

Less is more, says Huawei exec who doesn’t think 6GB of RAM is necessary

OnePlus 3T
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
When does more become too much? According to a Huawei executive, that boundary gets drawn at precisely 4GB of RAM. Smartphone makers have pushed in recent months to come out with phones with larger and larger memories, with Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and yes, even Huawei releasing 6GB monsters after the debut of the Vivo Xplay 5 Elite as the first 6GB smartphone in the world. One high-ranking Huawei official, however, just doesn’t think it’s worthwhile.

To express his discontent, the executive, named Lao Shi, went to his Weibo page to comment that 4GB of RAM is sufficient for smooth smartphone operation. According to Shi, tests have proven that Huawei phones featuring only 4GB of RAM actually withstand the test of time more successfully than phones with 6GB of RAM. The main point of focus, Shi says, is optimizing the operating system — after all, he noted, Apple’s iOS doesn’t need a big RAM in order to function properly.

Recommended Videos

He also pointed out that much of the focus on getting to 6GB and even 8GB is more about competition between brands than actual technology. Shi went so far as to say that the struggle is similar to the arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Really, Shi said, adding 2GB or even 4GB of RAM to a perfectly fine phone simply drives up the cost without adding much by way of value.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

So sure, if you really want to claim the bragging rights that come along with ownership of a big phone (when it comes to memory), have at it. Shi, after all, isn’t suggesting that they’re bad. But are they absolutely necessary? It seems that in the opinion of this executive, the answer is a resounding “no.”

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
MKBHD just revealed his smartphone of the year
Smartphones released in 2024.

Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD, has just announced his selection for best smartphone of 2024 and, no, it’s not an iPhone.

In a new video that dropped for his 19.7 million followers on Thursday, Brownlee began by giving a shout-out to some of his top selections in the smartphone space, saving his top choice until the very end.

Read more
I wore an Oura Ring for all of 2024. Here’s why I love it and why I’m concerned
The side of the Oura Ring 4.

I’ve worn one wearable more than any other this year, and it speaks to not only its convenience but also its brilliance. It’s the Oura Ring, and I started off 2024 with the third-generation version on my finger, but I will close it with the Oura Ring 4.

While I’m going to generally sing its praises, I’m also going to share why I’m a little concerned about it, too.
How much have I worn the Oura Ring?

Read more
Tips to keep your smartphone just as safe as a government official’s
Safety check on iPhone

It’s the holiday season, and that means an onslaught of bad actors trying to ensnare digital shoppers into their scams. Even Google had to publish a self-pat-on-the-back alert covering celebrity scams, fake invoice traps, and digital extortion. Of course, Big G took the opportunity to regale the virtues of Gmail’s anti-spam tricks.

The government, however, is dead serious about the threats, which extend well into the domain of intricate cyberattacks and telecom breaches targeting high-ranking officials and senior politicians. To that end, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a set of guidelines to protect smartphones.

Read more