Evaluating Android Security! Are You At Risk?

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Android Security.

Have you ever wondered about how secure your Android device is, who has access to what and when? Well you are not alone in your thoughts, millions around the world have also asked the same question.

It has become very common for most people to write off Android security quickly. This has made a lot of people to view Android as a less secure option to iOS. But how true is that? Is it a proven fact or just based on personal opinion?

To answer this question we need to closely consider how Android security has performed over the years.

The Journey Of Android Security.

Over a decade ago Android was this “rather difficult” operating system that a lot of devices ran on. It was up against a few major competitors the number of which later on narrowed down to one being iOS. So whenever users where to pick a device they had two major choices Android or iOS, this is where a big line was drawn.

Unlike iOS which was the operating system for only one line of devices being the iPhone, Android powered a lot of devices from various manifacturers. Second issue Android faced was that it was an open source code, what this means is that the lines of code present in the Android software could be modified by anyone and everyone.

Here security was of the essence and manifacturers like Apple where very quick to update its firmware to protect its users from malicious attacks since they had complete control of their OS. With Android, security took an entirely different route, firmware updated had to be first rolled out by Android then pushed to manifacturers who will in turn update their various devices at different times.

So Android security was a bit lazy and at this stage people could quickly draw the conclusion that Android security performed poorly, can we still say the same today?

The Current State Of Android Security.

Android has come a long way when it comes to properly addressing security issues and this growth is evident in the way it sets out to handle it’s security updates and patches.

These patches ensure that any vulnerabilities to the Android ecosystem is addressed as soon as possible even before the users are affected by these vulnerabilities.

That is where Google Play Services comes to the spotlight! What is Google Play services? How can it boost Android users security?

Now Google Play Services is a system app that comes pre-installed with every Android device and it gets updated remotely by Google without users having to worry. It is responsible for the smooth running of your Android device, this app does not have a user interface but it is integrated into or is made up of almost every core Android application as it grants permission for the access of other Google services.

Play Protect.

So how does Play Protect boost Android security? Remember how we said that Play Services is “a collection of core Android applications”, Play Protect is also part of the services under Google Play Service and it is responsible for the scanning of your Android applications for malware and whether or not they where downloaded for the proper sources. Since Google Play Services are updated in the background the functionality of Play Protect is always up to date for years to come without users stressing a muscle.

A Change to The Nature Of Android System To Boost Security.

Previously bits of the Android operating system could not be updated as individual entities when necessary, this in itself was bad for the Android Security. A change was needed in other to put security at the fore front and Google took a bold step.

The codes in Android where made Modular, this means that the operating system was in a sense grouped into various level where each level could be treated individually as an entity. So if a bug is discovered to attack a particular part of the Android OS, a code could be written to solve that problem individually without having to updated the entire system. This in itself was good for manifacturers since they could now more quickly push out security updates to their users. This action in itself is known as what Google calls project mainline .

With this feature, issues that might arise in the future can be fixed as soon as possible by Google without the manifacturers getting involved.

Android Security patch levels have also become a trend without Android devices with a new patch being rolled out every month or so to address vulnerabilities being discovered, these patch levels protect users from exploits, this article here shows what a security patch is.

Google has mandated that Android devices get at least two years of security updates, but certainly flagship devices go beyond two years as they keep their devices security up to date for four years.

Note worthy is also the fact that on Android, Google has begun to crack down on the level of malicious applications that might be uploaded to the Play Store for download. It is of high importance that you take note of the applications recently pulled down from the PlayStore in this article .

When looking at Android security in recent time it is truthful to say that the Android is secure as the focus is no longer on attacking the device but on tricking the owner. Android and Apple are relatively on the same level when it comes to device security as the two companies try as much as they can to roll out more features to keep devices clean from malicious attacks.

Author:KittysTech

Tech analyst, Collins Eshiet, writes about technology. Follow me on Twitter @KittysTech.

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Smartphone specifications and features keep getting more advanced, and RAM (Random Access Memory) is no exception. RAM is the part of the memory of a phone that is used for running apps, as such, the more RAM, the smoother apps run. In 2024, 12 GB RAM is what we are seeing in the top premium flagship phones. There are also a few other phones below that class with 12 GB RAM.

Most cellphone and smartphone manufacturers have announced their major releases for the year at this time, so it is safe to look at what phones are available for the year. I have taken a hard look at available phones with 12 GB RAM, and picked out a handful that I consider the best that money can buy.

• The Best 12 GB Phones In 2024
• The Best 12 GB Phones In 2021
• 16 GB RAM Smartphones In 2021

The Best 12 GB Phones In 2024

This list is based on 12GB smartphones that people in the US can buy from retailers and or carriers.

1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2. Samsung Galaxy S24
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 +
4. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
5. Google Pixel 9 Pro
6. Google Pixel 9
7. Nothing Phone 2a
8. OnePlus 12R
9. ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
10. ASUS ROG Phone 8

This article was first published in 2021 and has been updated in 2024, but I thought it a good idea to leave the original lists here for reference purpose. Also, who knows? Someone just might be interested in exploring 12GB smartphones from way back in 2021.

The Best 12 GB Phones In 2021

The 2021 list is a more generic list that is not limited to devices in the US.

• Xiaomi Mix 4 Android smartphone. Announced August 2021. Features 6.67″ display, Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 12 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Android smartphone. Announced August 2021. Features 7.6″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4400 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 12 GB RAM. The Z Fold3 is available in the USA, Canada, and UK, as well as in some countries in Europe, and Asia.
• OnePlus Nord 2 5G Android smartphone. Announced July 2021. Features 6.43″ display, MediaTek MT6893 Dimensity 1200 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Nord 2 5G is one of the most affordable phones with 12 GB of RAM right now. It is superb value for money . It is available in continental Europe, the UK, and India.
• Xiaomi Mi 11 Android smartphone. Announced December 2020. Features 6.81″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4600 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. This is one of the best smartphones that money can buy in 2021.
• Huawei P50 Pro smartphone. Announced July 2021. Features 6.6″ display, Kirin 9000 chipset, 4360 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 12 GB RAM. The P50 Pro is the top camera phone of this year. Sadly, it does not support Google Play Store and other Google apps and services, because of the US ban. If you can live with that, you really want this fantastic camera.
• Motorola Edge 20 Pro Android smartphone. Announced July 2021. Features 6.7″ display, Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Motorola’s Edge 20 series is an intriguing line-up, and the Edge 20 Pro is as good as it gets. If you live in the USA, you should check it out.
• Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Android smartphone. Announced March 2021. Features 6.67″ display, Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM.
• Samsung Galaxy Note10+ Android smartphone. Announced August 2019. Features 6.8″ display, Exynos 9825 chipset, 4300 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 12 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 6. This is a top choice on almost every continent, because it is widely available. You can find it to buy in the United States, Canada, UK, India, China, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya – pretty much in almost any country with a vibrant mobile phone market.

If you are a lover of stock Android, you are out of luck. None of the manufacturers who offer stock Android OS have any 12 GB RAM phones in the market at this time. As a matter of fact, none of them offer smartphones with cutting edge specs, so if you love to live on the edge, you have to look away from them.

There are over 150 smartphones available with 12 GB of RAM at the time of writing this, so there is a huge catalogue out there to choose from, if you are that adventurous. Sticking to the above short list will make it easier for you to decide, though. That thing about having too many options isn’t nice to deal with.

16 GB RAM Smartphones In 2021

If you are feeling adventurous and want to live on the cutting edge, there are already some phones with 16 GB of RAM in the market. Here is the complete list.

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Android smartphone. Announced January 2021. Features 6.8″ display, Exynos 2100 chipset, 5000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
2. Asus Zenfone 8 Android smartphone. Announced May 2021. Features 5.9″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4000 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
3. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Android smartphone. Announced February 2020. Features 6.9″ display, Exynos 990 chipset, 5000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
4. OPPO Find X3 Pro Android smartphone. Announced March 2021. Features 6.7″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
5. Asus ROG Phone 5 Android smartphone. Announced March 2021. Features 6.78″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 6000 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
6. Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro Android smartphone. Announced March 2021. Features 6.67″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM.
7. Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold Android smartphone. Announced March 2021. Features 8.01″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 5020 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM.
8. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Android smartphone. Announced February 2020. Features 6.9″ display, Exynos 990 chipset, 5000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
9. Asus ROG Phone 3 Android smartphone. Announced July 2020. Features 6.59″ display, Snapdragon 865 5G+ chipset, 6000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
10. Asus ZTE Axon 30 Ultra 5G Android smartphone. Announced April 2021. Features 6.67″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4600 mAh battery, 1024 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
11. Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra Android smartphone. Announced August 2020. Features 6.67″ display, Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
12. Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Android smartphone. Announced July 2021. Features 6.78″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
13. Asus ZTE nubia Z30 Pro Android smartphone. Announced May 2021. Features 6.67″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 4200 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM.
14. Lenovo Legion Duel 2 Android smartphone. Announced April 2021. Features 6.92″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 5500 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
15. Asus ROG Phone 5 Pro Android smartphone. Announced March 2021. Features 6.78″ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 6000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
16. Lenovo Legion Pro Android smartphone. Announced July 2020. Features 6.65″ display, Snapdragon 865 5G+ chipset, 5000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM.
17. ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Android smartphone. Announced March 2020. Features 6.65″ display, Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, 4500 mAh battery, 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Corning Gorilla Glass.
18. Lenovo Legion Duel Android smartphone. Announced July 2020. Features 6.65″ display, Snapdragon 865 5G+ chipset, 5000 mAh battery, 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM.

That is it: you have a list of the best 12 GB RAM smartphones that money can buy today, as well as a list of phones with 16 GB RAM, for the more adventurous mobile enthusiasts. Happy shopping!

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Author:Mister Mobility

Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004