You may be familiar with it. You have a phone that still works. It doesn't claim to be luxurious, but it can make calls, take pictures, send messages, WhatsApp or play your favorite video from YouTubeBut since April this year, Google has been introducing new hardware requirements. And if your phone has less than 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, you will no longer be able to run modern Android with all its benefits.
What exactly did Google change?
The new rules primarily apply to devices that use Google Mobile Services (GMS) (i.e. Play Store, Gmail, YouTube and others). In order for the manufacturer to officially pre-install these services on the phone, the device must now meet minilittle:
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2 GB RAM
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16 GB of storage
And this applies not only to classic Android, but also to its lightweight version, Android Go, which was designed specifically for weaker devices. No more 1GB mobile phones on the market, even the cheapest models now have to handle more.
Google is responding to the needs of today. Apps are bigger, more complex, often use AI, and require more power to run. When you have a phone that can't even handle the basic system requirements, it's frustrating for you and the developers.
A good example is Google Gemini – a small, smart AI model that is already being tested on Android. But without enough memory, you can't talk to it. Google is setting the bar higher to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Today's Special: Gemini Live with video launches on Google Pixel. #BestPhonesForever pic.twitter.com/JrxxpzR4Zm
- Made by Google (@madebygoogle) April 9, 2025
If you own a device with less than 2GB of RAM and were planning to update to Android 13 or later, you're likely to be disappointed. Not only will you not get the update, but you may also lose access to some new apps that require newer versions of the system.
Additionally, security updates may be missing, which is not something to be taken lightly. It's not just about comfort, but also about data security.
Does this only apply to cheap phones?
Yes and no. This will mainly affect the very cheapest models from developing markets or phones intended for children and seniors. But even here you can come across older devices that do not meet these limits. At first glance, it may be a "working phone", but under the surface it will no longer be able to keep up with the modern world.
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Prices have dropped, so even for an affordable amount, you can buy a phone today that will not only last, but will actually be usable.
