With the upcoming release of Android 15, Google has introduced stricter storage and RAM requirements for smartphones that wish to use Google Mobile Services (GMS). The new rules, which will affect the devices that receive official updates and support for Google’s suite of apps, signal a shift toward higher specifications in smartphones.
Starting with Android 15, devices must have at least 32 GB of storage to qualify for Google Mobile Services, which includes popular apps like Google Play, Gmail, YouTube, and more. This is a notable increase from the previous storage requirement of 16GB, which was enforced with Android 13. Before that, phones could get GMS with as little as 8GB of storage.
Moreover, the system dedicates 75% of the 32GB storage to the data partition, which includes system apps, system app data, essential system files, and all user apps and files. This allocation ensures that devices have enough space to accommodate the Android operating system and apps while maintaining a smooth user experience.
Phones with less than 32GB of storage will not only be unable to receive the Android 15 update, but they also won’t be able to access some new features meant for more modern devices. While it’s true that most smartphones now offer significantly more than 32GB, it’s important to note that using a phone with just 32GB of storage with Android 15 will be a poor experience.
Alongside the storage changes, Google has also updated the RAM requirements for Android devices. For devices with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for low-end phones, will be required. Phones with less than 2GB of RAM will not be eligible for GMS at all.
For smartphones with 4GB of RAM, the device can still run full Android 15 and have GMS, but this will change in the next version, Android 16. Starting with Android 16, devices with 4GB of RAM must use Android Go Edition, meaning that devices will soon require a minimum of 6GB of RAM to run full Android.
Another new feature in Android 15 is the Emergency Location Service (ELS), which allows users to opt in to share their emergency contacts along with their location data when making emergency calls. This feature can help emergency services locate users more efficiently and contact their emergency contacts if necessary.
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