a question about RAM

biawhiska · 14-09-2014, 14:39

Hi,

I dropped and smashed the screen on my galaxy S3 recently. I am therefore looking to get a new device.

I don't want a big 5" + screen but I do like my samsung phones. I therefore was thinking of getting the s5 mini. Everything about it seems the same as my s3 apart from the RAM. It says the RAM is 1.5 GB on the mini and 2GB on my s3.

All I am wondering is, what is it and does it matter?

I only use my phone for calls, texts, emails, chrome to usually look something up, twitter and instagram. I do not use games or apps apart from those mentions and I also close down each app before opening another.... just something I have to do!

Thanks if you can help or just reassure me the s5 mini would be OK.

Lidtop2013 · 14-09-2014, 14:52

The only time you'd possibly notice it is when gaming, but you said you don't do gaming so you'll be fine, you won't even notice it's got less ram

biawhiska · 14-09-2014, 15:11

Thank you Lidtop. I didn't think it would be an issue for me. I just wanted to make sure. I don't really 'get' this technical things

Ben_Fisher · 14-09-2014, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lidtop2013

The only time you'd possibly notice it is when gaming, but you said you don't do gaming so you'll be fine, you won't even notice it's got less ram

WRONG...

The amount of ram on an android phone will affect how long an app stays in memory before it gets killed, i.e what's in the app switcher.

Saying that, the s5 mini runs a newer version of android which is better at managing memory anyway.

The phone will feels faster than your S3.

sola · 14-09-2014, 15:47

I guess the screen could be fixed but now that you want a new phone...
Numbers are not everything with mobiles. More often than not, newer stuff have more advanced RAM, better processor and more efficient operating system that translates into a faster phone. I am 100% sure s5 Mini is going to feel better than the old S3 and then again, you say you don't use too many apps so you should never have had any speed issues with S3 anyway.

biawhiska · 14-09-2014, 16:59

Yeah, my S3 has never caused me any problems speed wise. I have looked into getting the screen fixed but feel like I'd like a newer phone and one with 4G.

Thanks, I am sure it will be fine for my needs/usage then.

Ultraman1966 · 14-09-2014, 17:44

How much are you budgeting for? The galaxy s5 mini is overpriced as it isn't a true mini like the Xperia Compact.

swordman · 14-09-2014, 18:16

There is no 2gb ram on an s3?

ASIFZED · 14-09-2014, 19:49

The S3 has 1gb RAM. The S5 Mini will be more than sufficient for your needs. My S4 Mini has 1.5gb RAM also, and is extremely fast for the everyday tasks I need it for. Multi tasking is without issue, particularly with Nova Launcher installed instead of TouchWiz. Even on basic gaming (Candy crush etc), it's great.

Ben_Fisher · 14-09-2014, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASIFZED

The S3 has 1gb RAM. The S5 Mini will be more than sufficient for your needs. My S4 Mini has 1.5gb RAM also, and is extremely fast for the everyday tasks I need it for. Multi tasking is without issue, particularly with Nova Launcher installed instead of TouchWiz. Even on basic gaming (Candy crush etc), it's great.

The 4G S3 has 2GB of ram.

swordman · 14-09-2014, 19:56

Yes forgot that

TheSloth · 14-09-2014, 20:09

I can't help thinking a 16GB Nexus 5 at £225 or so is far better value in terms of what spec you get for the money - and it's only marginally bigger. Worth a fondle at a phone shop if nothing else. Just a thought...

biawhiska · 14-09-2014, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by swordman

There is no 2gb ram on an s3?

I know

I realised this after i wrote the post...

biawhiska · 14-09-2014, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASIFZED

The S3 has 1gb RAM. The S5 Mini will be more than sufficient for your needs. My S4 Mini has 1.5gb RAM also, and is extremely fast for the everyday tasks I need it for. Multi tasking is without issue, particularly with Nova Launcher installed instead of TouchWiz. Even on basic gaming (Candy crush etc), it's great.

That's good to know, thank you

biawhiska · 14-09-2014, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSloth

I can't help thinking a 16GB Nexus 5 at £225 or so is far better value in terms of what spec you get for the money - and it's only marginally bigger. Worth a fondle at a phone shop if nothing else. Just a thought...

Yes, you;re probably right. I am indeed going to go for a fondle and see. I love my S3 but just sometimes felt a bit big so worried a 5" maybe worse, but can't tell until I go and look. Thank You

Lidtop2013 · 14-09-2014, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Fisher

WRONG...

The amount of ram on an android phone will affect how long an app stays in memory before it gets killed, i.e what's in the app switcher.

Saying that, the s5 mini runs a newer version of android which is better at managing memory anyway.

The phone will feels faster than your S3.

Ok I stand corrected. But I wasn't wrong about the phone being ok for their usage was I?

finbaar · 15-09-2014, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by biawhiska

I know

I realised this after i wrote the post...

Readiyo post I assumed you had the 4G version of the S3 which does have 2gb of RAM. However it became clear later that you had the 3G version. If you like the look of the S5 mini then go for it as it is a nice phone.

14-09-2014, 14:39	#1
biawhiska Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 312	a question about RAM Hi, I dropped and smashed the screen on my galaxy S3 recently. I am therefore looking to get a new device. I don't want a big 5" + screen but I do like my samsung phones. I therefore was thinking of getting the s5 mini. Everything about it seems the same as my s3 apart from the RAM. It says the RAM is 1.5 GB on the mini and 2GB on my s3. All I am wondering is, what is it and does it matter? I only use my phone for calls, texts, emails, chrome to usually look something up, twitter and instagram. I do not use games or apps apart from those mentions and I also close down each app before opening another.... just something I have to do! Thanks if you can help or just reassure me the s5 mini would be OK.

14-09-2014, 14:52	#2
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	The only time you'd possibly notice it is when gaming, but you said you don't do gaming so you'll be fine, you won't even notice it's got less ram

14-09-2014, 15:11	#3
biawhiska Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 312	Thank you Lidtop. I didn't think it would be an issue for me. I just wanted to make sure. I don't really 'get' this technical things

14-09-2014, 15:26	#4
Ben_Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lincoln Posts: 577	Quote: Originally Posted by Lidtop2013 The only time you'd possibly notice it is when gaming, but you said you don't do gaming so you'll be fine, you won't even notice it's got less ram WRONG... The amount of ram on an android phone will affect how long an app stays in memory before it gets killed, i.e what's in the app switcher. Saying that, the s5 mini runs a newer version of android which is better at managing memory anyway. The phone will feels faster than your S3.

14-09-2014, 15:47	#5
sola Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 60	I guess the screen could be fixed but now that you want a new phone... Numbers are not everything with mobiles. More often than not, newer stuff have more advanced RAM, better processor and more efficient operating system that translates into a faster phone. I am 100% sure s5 Mini is going to feel better than the old S3 and then again, you say you don't use too many apps so you should never have had any speed issues with S3 anyway.

14-09-2014, 16:59	#6
biawhiska Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 312	Yeah, my S3 has never caused me any problems speed wise. I have looked into getting the screen fixed but feel like I'd like a newer phone and one with 4G. Thanks, I am sure it will be fine for my needs/usage then.

14-09-2014, 17:44	#7
Ultraman1966 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 263	How much are you budgeting for? The galaxy s5 mini is overpriced as it isn't a true mini like the Xperia Compact.

14-09-2014, 18:16	#8
swordman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,342	There is no 2gb ram on an s3?

14-09-2014, 19:49	#9
ASIFZED Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,020	The S3 has 1gb RAM. The S5 Mini will be more than sufficient for your needs. My S4 Mini has 1.5gb RAM also, and is extremely fast for the everyday tasks I need it for. Multi tasking is without issue, particularly with Nova Launcher installed instead of TouchWiz. Even on basic gaming (Candy crush etc), it's great.

14-09-2014, 19:50	#10
Ben_Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lincoln Posts: 577	Quote: Originally Posted by ASIFZED The S3 has 1gb RAM. The S5 Mini will be more than sufficient for your needs. My S4 Mini has 1.5gb RAM also, and is extremely fast for the everyday tasks I need it for. Multi tasking is without issue, particularly with Nova Launcher installed instead of TouchWiz. Even on basic gaming (Candy crush etc), it's great. The 4G S3 has 2GB of ram.

14-09-2014, 19:56	#11
swordman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,342	Yes forgot that

14-09-2014, 20:09	#12
TheSloth Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Under Your Bed Posts: 5,508	I can't help thinking a 16GB Nexus 5 at £225 or so is far better value in terms of what spec you get for the money - and it's only marginally bigger. Worth a fondle at a phone shop if nothing else. Just a thought...

14-09-2014, 20:46	#13
biawhiska Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 312	Quote: Originally Posted by swordman There is no 2gb ram on an s3? I know I realised this after i wrote the post...

14-09-2014, 20:47	#14
biawhiska Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 312	Quote: Originally Posted by ASIFZED The S3 has 1gb RAM. The S5 Mini will be more than sufficient for your needs. My S4 Mini has 1.5gb RAM also, and is extremely fast for the everyday tasks I need it for. Multi tasking is without issue, particularly with Nova Launcher installed instead of TouchWiz. Even on basic gaming (Candy crush etc), it's great. That's good to know, thank you

14-09-2014, 20:49	#15
biawhiska Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 312	Quote: Originally Posted by TheSloth I can't help thinking a 16GB Nexus 5 at £225 or so is far better value in terms of what spec you get for the money - and it's only marginally bigger. Worth a fondle at a phone shop if nothing else. Just a thought... Yes, you;re probably right. I am indeed going to go for a fondle and see. I love my S3 but just sometimes felt a bit big so worried a 5" maybe worse, but can't tell until I go and look. Thank You

14-09-2014, 23:26	#16
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	Quote: Originally Posted by Ben_Fisher WRONG... The amount of ram on an android phone will affect how long an app stays in memory before it gets killed, i.e what's in the app switcher. Saying that, the s5 mini runs a newer version of android which is better at managing memory anyway. The phone will feels faster than your S3. Ok I stand corrected. But I wasn't wrong about the phone being ok for their usage was I?

15-09-2014, 12:50	#17
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	Quote: Originally Posted by biawhiska I know I realised this after i wrote the post... Readiyo post I assumed you had the 4G version of the S3 which does have 2gb of RAM. However it became clear later that you had the 3G version. If you like the look of the S5 mini then go for it as it is a nice phone.

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a question about RAM