Samsung Galaxy S21 phones are getting a memory boost you barely need
What you need to know
- Samsung's virtual RAM expansion feature is rolling out to more Galaxy phones.
- RAM Plus is now available on the Galaxy S21 ultra running One UI 4 (beta) and Galaxy Z Fold 3 through a software update.
- The feature was initially made available on the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G.
Samsung appears to have started rolling out a RAM feature first seen on the Galaxy A52s 5G to more Galaxy devices, including some of the best Samsung phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and foldable devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
RAM Plus is now available for download via software update on the Galaxy S21 Ultra running One UI 4 (beta) based on Android 12, as spotted by Android Central's Alex Dobie. It joins a slew of new features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes.
For starters, RAM Plus is a new feature that gives your smartphone a virtual RAM expansion with an extra 4GB of memory by utilizing some of its storage space. It was initially unveiled alongside the Galaxy A52s, so the feature was thought to be designed for mid-range phones that could benefit the most from this capability.
It now appears to be trickling down to Samsung's higher-end devices. In addition to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, RAM Plus has apparently made its way to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, as per SamMobile. It's also possible that the virtual RAM boost will be made available to more Galaxy phones soon.
That said, Samsung is not the first OEM to adopt the feature. Xiaomi is supposed to have the same capability up its sleeve with the next-generation MIUI 13. Realme will also roll out the Dynamic RAM Expansion feature to some of its devices via a software update in the future.
The feature may be more useful in mid-range and low-end phones, such as Samsung's Galaxy M and A series. However, it may not offer much value for smartphones with 16GB of RAM, such as the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
There is currently no way to customize the feature, which means you won't be able to change the amount of storage space it can convert into virtual RAM. Samsung has yet to release a complete list of devices that will support the feature.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android
To check if it's available to you, go to your phone's Settings menu and then to the Memory section under Battery.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the best Android phones available right now, with four impressive cameras, a stunning display, and S Pen support. It will get Android 12 soon, and it now has picked up a memory boost with virtual RAM expansion.
Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.