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What is Extended RAM in mobile phones? The concept of extended RAM has been around for laptops for a while, but finally it is now available on mobile phones, specifically Android devices. Extended RAM or expandable RAM or virtual RAM , as it is also called, is a system that allows a terminal, in this case, a mobile phone, to allocate some of its internal storage for use as extra RAM.

So, if a phone has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage, Extended RAM can allocate an extra 6 GB from the 128 GB for use as extended ram, bringing the total RAM of the device to 12 GB. This is a layman’s explanation. Extended RAM isn’t really RAM; it is virtual – extra memory allocated to help launch apps and keep them running smoothly. It is a software partition of a phones storage memory to improve the opening and running of apps.

Extended RAM in mobile provides a performance boost to the built-in RAM - 1

What is Extended RAM in mobile phones? How is it different from normal RAM?

  • Benefits of Virtual or Extended RAM in mobile phones
  • Disadvantages of Virtual or Extended RAM in mobile phones
  • How to use Extended RAM in Android Phones
  • Smartphone Brands with Extended RAM for Android Smartphones
  • Examples of Phones with Virtual RAM Does Xiaomi have Virtual RAM? Does MIUI 12.5 have extended RAM? Do TECNO phones have Virtual RAM? Do Samsung phones have Virtual RAM?

Benefits of Virtual or Extended RAM in mobile phones

The function of RAM, whether on a laptop, a PC, or a smartphone, is to function as a temporary memory to run apps and to switch between apps. As such, the more RAM a device has, all other things being equal, the smoother your experience of using apps will be.

Being able to extend the built-in RAM of a device means it gets better performance, specifically for opening and switching between apps. If you love to multitask on your smartphone, Extended or virtual RAM improves the experience for you. Hardware RAM is an expensive component in smartphones. Being able to use some internal storage space for keeping apps open and running means helps keep the cost of improved performance at a minimum.

vivo virtual ram for Android - extended RAM for mobile phones - 2

Disadvantages of Virtual or Extended RAM in mobile phones

Extended or Virtual RAM is not as fast as proper built-in RAM, so while it does improve the performance of the device, it isn’t at the same optimum level as the built-in RAM. Not that most people will notice anyway. Actually, it isn’t RAM in the proper sense; rather, it is virtual memory that helps keep apps that have been opened running.

How to use Extended RAM in Android Phones

It is simple to use. Dive into your Android phone’s Settings and search for “Extended RAM”, “Virtual RAM”, or just “RAM”. Tap on it to open the menu. Where you see the button or toggle for the feature, enable it if it is not already enabled. Once enabled, it works in the background like regular RAM. You might need to restart your smartphone after enabling it, and then all you need is to simply continue using your smartphone as usual. That’s it.

Smartphone Brands with Extended RAM for Android Smartphones

The following Android smartphone brands all now provide expandable, extended, or virtual RAM for some of their models:

  • Vivo phones (called Extended RAM)
  • OPPO phones (called Memory Expansion Technology)
  • Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO phones (called Memory Expansion)
  • Samsung Galaxy phones (called RAM Plus)
  • TECNO phones (called Memory Fusion)
  • Realme phones (called Dynamic RAM Expansion)

Examples of Phones with Virtual RAM

Vivo was the first mainstream phone maker to produce smartphone with Extended or virtual RAM. It first appeared in the V21 and V21e models, and will also show up in the Vivo X60, Vivo X60 Pro, and Vivo X60 Pro+.

Vivo V21 and V21e have 8 GB RAM built in and 128 GB internal storage. Of the internal storage, 3 GB is allocated as virtual RAM, bringing the total RAM of each of these devices to 11 GB. Not bad at all; right? But Vivo is not the only brand making such phones.

OPPO is another smartphone brand that is embracing the technology. It is available in OPPO F19, as well as OPPO F19 Pro series, OPPO A74 5G, and OPPO A53s 5G [1]. The OPPO Find X2 is another, and offers the option to expand up to 3GB, 5GB, or 7GB of extended RAM. TECNO has an increasing number of smartphones with Extended RAM. They include: Phantom X, TECNO Canon 18 Premier, and TECNO Spark 8C.

Does Xiaomi have Virtual RAM?

Xiaomi has implemented virtual RAM in some recent smartphones. It is called Memory Extension in MIUI.

Does MIUI 12.5 have extended RAM?

Extended or virtual RAM has been implemented in MIUI, including version 12.5, 13, and upwards.

Do TECNO phones have Virtual RAM?

Yes; newer TECNO smartphones have extended RAM, and it is called Memory Fusion. For example, it extends the memory in TECNO Camon 18 Premier from 8 GB built-in to 13 GB total.

The first Xiaomi smartphones to get extended RAM are the Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G, each of which can add 2GB of RAM expansion. The company is planning to introduce it in more smartphones via MIUI 13.

Do Samsung phones have Virtual RAM?

Samsung has introduced the feature, which it calls RAM Plus, in some of its newer Android smartphone models, from Galaxy A52s, A72, and S21 upwards.

Extended, expandable, or virtual RAM in mobile phones is a cool innovation, and we look forward to seeing more mobile phones with the feature.

References

  1. OPPO: source .
Author:Mister Mobility

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

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Vivo V21 Quick Specs
OS: Android 11. Release Date: April 2021. Network Types: 2G/3G/4G/5G Display: 6.44-inch AMOLED Processor: Dimensity 800U Selfie Camera: 44 MP autofocus. Rear camera: 64 MP RAM: 8 GB ROM: 128 GB Battery: 4000 mAh.
vivo V21 specs and price - 3

Mobile Wireless Network and Software

  • 2G mobile network bands : GSM, GPRS, EDGE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz.
  • 3G mobile network bands : UMTS, WCDMA, HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 MHz
  • 4G mobile network bands : LTE 1(2100) / 3(1800) / 4() / 5(850) / 7() / 8(900) / 20() / 28(700) / 38(2600) / 39() / 40(2300) / 41(2500).
  • 5G mobile network bands : No.
  • SIM Type : Nano-SIM, Dual SIM
  • Software / OS : Android 11 + Funtouch OS 11.1

Design, Form Factor, Appearance

  • Dimensions : 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm
  • Weight : 176g
  • Display : 6.44 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, HDR10+, 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz Touch Sampling Rate, AMOLED,
  • Colours : Dusk Blue. Sunset Dazzle. Arctic White.
  • Physical Build : Plastic back and frame.

Internal Hardware Specs

  • Processor Type : 64-bit, 2.4 GHz Octa-core, Cortex A76
  • Processor Name : MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 800U 5G (7 nm)
  • Graphics Processor : ARM Mali-G57 Mc3
  • RAM : 8 GB
  • Internal Storage : 128 GB UFS 2.2
  • External Storage : microSDXC (shared slot)

Photography, Video Recording

  • Rear Camera : 64 MP wide angle lens + 8 MP ultra-wide angle sensor + 2 MP depth sensor, LED flash, 4k, 1080p@30fps video recording, OIS, split video.
  • Front-facing Camera : 44 MP, autofocus, OIS, EIS, dual LED flash, Face Recognition, 4k, 1080p@30fps video capture

Audio, Video Playback

  • Music Support : PCM, AAC / AAC + / eAAC + / MP3 / AMR – NB / WB / APE
  • 3.5 mm Audio Port : No.
  • Loudspeaker : Mono speaker
  • Video Support : H.264/MP4/MPEG4 player
  • FM Radio : Yes.

Phone Sensors

  • Digital Compass : Compass.
  • Accelerometer : Yes.
  • Proximity Sensor : Yes.
  • Ambient Light Sensor : Yes.
  • Barometer : No.
  • Pedometer : No.
  • Heart Rate Monitor : No.
  • Gyroscope (G-Sensor) : Yes.
  • Fingerprint Scanner : Yes; under-display.
  • Face Unlock : Yes.
  • Iris Scanner : No.
  • Motion Sensing / Gesture Control : No.
  • Voice Control : No.
  • Intelligent Digital Assistant : Yes; Google Assistant.
  • Infra-red Sensor : No.

Connectivity Options

  • Bluetooth : v5.1, A2DP
  • WiFi : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, hotspot
  • GPS : Yes, A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
  • USB : microUSB v2.0. USB Type-C. USB-OTG.
  • NFC : No.

Miscellaneous Specs and Features

  • Battery Type and Capacity : Non-Removable Lithium-Polymer 4000 mAh
  • Battery Charging : 33W fast charging
  • Wireless Charging : No.
  • Reverse Charging : No.
  • Model Version/Number : N/A.

Vivo V21 Launch Info

  • Announced : April 27, 2021
  • Release Date : May 6, 2021

Vivo V21 Price

  • Malaysia: MYR 1,600
  • European Union: €320
  • Nigeria: ₦159,000

Questions and Answers about Vivo V21

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Vivo V21.

Is Vivo V21 a 5G phone?

No; the V21 is not a 5G LTE phone. There is a 5G variant named Vivo V21 5G though. It has the exact same specs.

Does Vivo V21 have Gorilla Glass?

No; the V21 does not have Gorilla Glass protection on its screen.

Does Vivo V21 have quick charging?

Yes; the Vivo V21 has quick charging technology.

Will Vivo V21 work in the USA?

Vivo V21 is a GSM phone and will work, to varying degrees, on GSM wireless carriers in the USA. These include AT&T, T-Mobile and various carriers using their towers. This phone will not work on CDMA networks..

MobilityArena Buyer’s Guide Verdict

The V21 is one of the first smartphones that come with virtual RAM or Extended RAM , as Vivo prefers to call it.

Our Buyer’s Guide Verdict is a recommendation that we make based on our evaluation of the specs of the device. It is a general guide designed to help you understand how much value a smartphone offers for its price. It is not a stamp of quality assessment or an endorsement of the device or of the manufacturers. Be sure to ask questions and use your judgement when buying any device, as MobilityArena may not be held responsible for your buying decisions .

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Author:InfoDesk