Why Do Android Phones Llag Even If They Have 6GB RAM

Despite having ample RAM, many Android phones lag and run slowly. This article delves into the reasons behind this issue and provides practical solutions to enhance your phone's performance.

Mobile Performance Beyond RAM

While many users assume that a phone with 6GB or more RAM will run smoothly, it's not as simple as that. For instance, consider the Pixel 6a and the Honor X6b. The Pixel 6a has 6GB RAM, beautiful hardware, and performs like a flagship, despite being more powerful than the iPhone 14 Pro. On the other hand, the Honor X6b, despite its 8GB or 12GB RAM, offers a far less impressive performance. This showcases that RAM alone is rarely the determining factor in the overall performance of an Android phone. Quality and software optimization play a crucial role.

Instead of relying purely on specifications, buyers should consider the underlying quality of the phone and its software optimization. Premium brands like Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and Moto Edge consistently deliver fast, smooth, and reliable performance. They maintain their premium nature long-term, ensuring that the phone remains performant over time.

Common Reasons for Llagging Phones

Too Many Apps Running in the Background

A significant contributor to phone lagging is the number of applications running in the background. Modern Android OSes are designed to manage resources efficiently, but an overcrowded system can slow down performance, especially for demanding tasks like gaming. Apps in the background consume resources such as RAM, CPU, and battery, which can lead to a sluggish system.

Starting with Android P, background app limitations have been implemented. Apps that are not active in the foreground are restricted in their ability to access resources, which helps in reducing background activity. Regardless, users can also take proactive steps to manage background apps:

Delete unused apps to reduce background processes. Enable Developer Options and check the Running Services tab to identify and remove unnecessary services. Use third-party apps like Greenify or Servicely to track and manage background services.

Full and Fragmented Internal Storage

Internal storage becomes a bottleneck as it fills up. Flash memory experiences write speed degradation, and the disk fragmentation issue exacerbates the problem. When storage is full, the phone struggles to allocate space for new files and applications, leading to a slowdown in performance.

To combat this, users should:

Regularly clear unused media and app files. Perform a factory reset to wipe out old data, though this is a last resort. Utilize cloud storage for large files like music and videos.

External storage, such as a microSD card, is a better option for regularly updated files because they can be easily swapped out and replaced.

Older Batteries and Internal Resistance

Battery aging is another significant factor that affects performance. As batteries age, their capacity diminishes, and they develop high internal resistance. This not only reduces the charge duration but also increases the heat generated, which can lower the performance of the CPU and memory. High internal resistance can lead to voltage drops and heat dissipation, causing the phone to slow down or reduce its operating speed.

To mitigate these effects, users can:

Follow battery charging tips to prolong the battery's lifespan. Replace the battery if it is severely aged or if the device frequently overheats.

In conclusion, while RAM is important, it is not the sole determinant of a phone's performance. By addressing the common issues of background apps, full storage, and battery aging, users can significantly enhance their Android phone's performance.