Phones with less than 32GB storage won't support Android 15 - Google

Google has introduced new minimum hardware requirements for smartphones and tablets that will run its upcoming Android 15 operating system.

The company now requires all Android 15 devices to have at least 32 GB of internal storage, doubling the previous minimum of 16 GB set for Android 13 and Android 14.

This change is part of Google's ongoing efforts to ensure better performance and user experience as Android becomes more advanced.

Android 15 is more complex than previous versions, and devices with limited memory may not be able to handle its demands.

According to Google, 75% of the required internal storage will be used by the data partition.

This includes system app data and files, user apps and files, and pre-installed system apps.

Devices that don’t meet the new 32 GB storage requirement will not be able to upgrade to Android 15.

"Smartphones and tablets that don’t have at least 32 GB of internal memory can’t be upgraded to Android 15 because they don’t meet the minimum requirements," Google said.

Despite these changes, smartphone makers can still produce devices with less than 32 GB of storage.

However, such devices will not be allowed to include Google Mobile Services (GMS), which means they cannot come pre-installed with apps like Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.

Instead, these manufacturers must rely on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which does not have the same hardware requirements but also lacks access to Google’s proprietary apps and services.

In addition to internal storage, Google has also updated its RAM requirements.

Previously, only devices with 2 GB RAM were allowed to run Android Go Edition, a lighter version of Android meant for low-end phones.

Now, Android 15 will also allow devices with 3 GB RAM to run the Go Edition, which includes low memory optimizations to improve performance.

The company also hinted at future changes in RAM requirements.

"Starting with Android 16, the RAM requirement might increase and devices with 4 GB RAM might be required to enable Android’s low memory optimizations," Google said.

Another new requirement for Android 15 is support for emergency services.

This feature enables users to share their emergency contacts and location information during urgent situations, improving safety features across Android devices.

These changes are expected to affect a large number of users, especially in markets where budget smartphones are common.

While the upgrades aim to improve performance and security, they also raise the bar for manufacturers who want to offer full Android services on low-cost devices.