Google has introduced a significant overhaul to the Android operating system, updating the minimum hardware requirements for its upcoming Android 15 and Android 16 versions. This move represents a shift in strategy, focusing on optimizing performance and user experience by discontinuing updates for devices with lower specifications.
Revised System Requirements for Android
The updated requirements mean that smartphones with lower specifications will no longer be eligible for the latest Android updates, effectively ending software support for many older devices. To qualify for Android 15, device manufacturers must now ensure that their devices have a minimum of 32 GB of storage. Importantly, 75% of this storage must be allocated exclusively for system files and user data, a notable increase from the previous threshold of 16 GB. This change makes it technically impossible for older models to receive updates under the new system.
In terms of RAM, while Android 15 will still accommodate devices with 4 GB, Android 16 raises the bar, requiring a minimum of 6 GB RAM. Consequently, devices with less than 6 GB of RAM will not be eligible for Android 16, compelling users to seek alternatives such as the lighter Android Go Edition.
Google’s Strategic Vision
Google’s decision aims to streamline the Android ecosystem, enhancing performance and user satisfaction. However, this change may render millions of existing Android devices, still widely used globally, obsolete. The implications of this decision are significant, potentially affecting a vast number of users who rely on older technology.
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