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Google has updated its hardware requirements for Android devices, introducing new minimum standards for storage and RAM with the release of Android 15. These changes are set to impact device manufacturers and users, particularly those utilizing budget-friendly smartphones.
Increased Storage Requirements
Starting with Android 15, devices must have a minimum of 32GB of internal storage to qualify for Google Mobile Services (GMS) certification. This is a significant increase from the previous requirement of 16GB for Android 13 and 14. Furthermore, at least 75% of this storage must be allocated to the data partition, which houses system apps, user apps, and personal files. Devices failing to meet this criterion will be ineligible for Android 15 updates and cannot ship with essential Google apps like the Play Store.
Updated RAM Standards
In addition to storage, RAM requirements have also been revised. Devices with 2GB or 3GB of RAM are now mandated to run Android Go Edition, a streamlined version of the operating system designed for low-end hardware. Looking ahead, Android 16 will require devices with 4GB of RAM to adopt Android Go, effectively setting a new baseline of 6GB RAM for the full-featured Android experience.
While manufacturers can still produce devices with lower specifications using the open-source Android Open Source Project (AOSP), these devices will lack GMS, limiting access to Google’s ecosystem.
Android 15 also introduces a new requirement for devices to support the sharing of emergency contact information with emergency services during calls. This feature aims to improve user safety by allowing emergency responders to access vital information promptly.
