The RAM debate in smartphones has moved to a different level as of 2026. A few years ago, 4 GB was considered sufficient, 6 GB was considered comfortable, and 8 GB was considered the level that could be used for a long time. With Google’s Gemini Intelligence system, the new limit for artificial intelligence features on Android has become 12 GB RAM. The 12 GB RAM era has begun in phones. RAM serves as the short-term working area of the phone.
Applications, browser tabs, background processes and open services are kept in this area. As the amount of RAM increases, the phone can keep more applications open without reloading. For this reason, switching between applications, returning to browser tabs and multitasking performance are directly affected by RAM capacity. On the daily use side, 8 GB RAM is still sufficient for most users in 2026. Phones with 8 GB RAM can offer trouble-free use in social media, messaging, camera, browser, video watching, banking applications and reasonable multitasking scenarios.
6 GB of RAM is at the lower level for basic use on the Android side. As applications become heavier, this capacity leaves a narrower working area. The real change started in the artificial intelligence features running on the device. Google’s Gemini Intelligence system comes as a separate artificial intelligence layer from the Gemini app on the phone. The system includes innovations such as a voice dictation editing tool called Rambler, the Create My Widget feature that creates custom home screen components with voice commands, and multi-step automation between applications.
Because these processes run on the device without being sent to the cloud, RAM, chipset, and local AI model requirements have increased. Google’s requirements for Gemini Intelligence include 12 GB or more of RAM, a flagship-level chipset, Gemini Nano v3 support, Android AICore compatibility, and the manufacturer offering five or more major Android version updates. On the chipset side, Snapdragon 8 Elite, Tensor G5 or similar flagship processors of the 2025-2026 period are required.
Only RAM capacity is not enough in this table. Gemini Nano v3 support leaves many powerful models off the list. Although Pixel 9 Pro has 16 GB RAM and Tensor G4 processor, it is not among the devices suitable for Gemini Intelligence. This is because Gemini Nano v2 is used on the device. Pixel 9 family, Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 and OnePlus 13 are not currently on the support list. It is not yet clear whether Google will bring Gemini Nano v3 support to some devices in the future with a software update.
In the current table, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold are among the Gemini Intelligence supported devices. Pixel 10a is excluded from this list because it comes with 8 GB RAM. On the Samsung side, Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra are on the support list. It is reported that Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 will be among the first models to offer Gemini Intelligence publicly.
The July 2026 period is indicated for these two foldable models. Other manufacturers include OnePlus 15 and 15R, Motorola Signature, Honor Magic 8 Pro, iQOO 15, Realme GT 7T, OPPO Find X9, Find X9 Pro, Find X8, Find X8 Pro and some Reno 14 and Reno 15 series models are on the list. On the Vivo side, it includes the X200 and X300 series, and on the Xiaomi side, the Xiaomi 14T Pro, Xiaomi 15 series, Xiaomi 15T series and Xiaomi 15 Ultra supported models.
Apple Intelligence can be used on iPhone 15 Pro models and iPhone 16 and later iPhone models. The 8 GB RAM level on these devices is considered sufficient for Apple’s artificial intelligence features. On the Android side, the limit set by Google for Gemini Intelligence is 12 GB of RAM. When buying a phone in 2026, the picture for RAM has become clearer. 6 GB is a working lower level for basic use, 8 GB is a balanced level for daily use, 12 GB is the new threshold for Google’s new local artificial intelligence features, and 16 GB and above are among the options that offer larger working space for longer-term use.
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