On-device AI phones will require a massive amount of RAM

The recent Google Pixel devices come with amazing on-device AI features. Similar to Google, several other companies, including Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung, are aiming to introduce on-device AI features on their devices. From this perspective, a recent report suggests that the devices that come with them must have enough RAM to operate. Well, this is kind of concerning.

When it comes to a mid-range smartphone, 8GB of RAM is standard. On the other hand, the flagship devices come with 12GB and the Pro versions feature 16GB of RAM. However, you must be informed that your smartphone must have 20GB of RAM in order to support the on-device AI features. Recently, we had the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro, which features 24GB RAM. Furthermore, the companies are experimenting with the 32GB RAM option as well.

Well, this is not surprising since a device that supports modern features must have enough RAM to operate properly. The performance requirements of a device increase with on-device AI features. Revegnus posted on X that, with the addition of more AI features to chips, the requirement for RAM will increase. For reference, the smartphones that will be able to produce AI images must come with 12GB of RAM.

According to Macquarie’s report, devices with full AI assistants built in must be accompanied by 20GB RAM. AI assistants are currently available on phones; examples include Siri, Bixby, Google Assistant, and Alexa. To effectively utilize those, though, an internet connection is necessary.

Even with a significantly reduced version, having a complete AI assistant available on the phone might necessitate a 20GB RAM phone. That just covers essential functionality. Thus, your phone would hardly have enough RAM left over to operate the operating system and apps if it had 24GB of RAM—which even now seems excessive. From this perspective, 32GB RAM might be sufficient enough to support added AI features. it is more than the one offered by most computers.