Hey there! As a fellow tech enthusiast, I know you want to get the most out of your Galaxy device. And these days, that means digging into newly added features like RAM Plus.
In this hands-on guide, I’ll break down how Samsung‘s RAM Plus works to expand memory, when it helps, and when it may not be needed. I’ve tested it myself and gathered insights from other experts. Read on to learn whether enabling RAM Plus could supercharge your Galaxy!
RAM Plus Creates a Memory Boost Using Storage
First, a quick primer on RAM and how it affects performance. RAM (random access memory) is vital for multitasking. It temporarily stores data from open apps and system processes so they can resume instantly.
The more RAM available, the more apps and services that can stay active in the background. Once RAM fills up, less used apps get removed from memory. With RAM Plus, Samsung aims to virtually expand available memory using your phone‘s internal storage.
Here’s how it works:
- Unused storage is tapped as virtual RAM – You allocate anywhere from 1-4GB
- Total memory capacity expands – 6GB RAM + 2GB RAM Plus = 8GB total
- More apps remain active – Virtual RAM lets more apps suspend in the background
In essence, RAM Plus gives your phone more breathing room before it has to close background apps. This leads to potential benefits like faster app launches and smoother multitasking.
But there are downsides too. Let’s compare physical and virtual RAM.
| Physical RAM | Virtual RAM (RAM Plus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very fast | Slower – uses flash storage |
| Performance impact | Consistent app speeds & multitasking | Can slow down in some cases |
| Battery life | Minimal impact | May use more power |
| Available capacities | Up to 12GB+ on flagships | Up to 4GB virtual RAM allocated |
| Cost to implement | Requires expensive hardware upgrades | Uses available storage so no direct cost |
As you can see, the virtual RAM from RAM Plus can‘t match the speed of actual RAM. There are always tradeoffs when borrowing storage. But for some users, RAM Plus still provides a welcome memory boost.
RAM Plus Shines Best on Low RAM Galaxy Devices
Based on my testing, Samsung‘s RAM Plus works best on their budget and mid-range phones that lack ample RAM already. For example, the Galaxy A13 5G comes with just 4GB RAM. Enabling even 1GB of RAM Plus makes a noticeable difference in how many apps I can juggle at once.
But when a phone already has 12GB of RAM like the S22 Ultra, RAM Plus is less beneficial. At that point, turning on another 2GB of virtual RAM likely won‘t do much. Unless you have a truly extreme multitasking workload, the latest flagship Galaxies are already memory powerhouses.
In my experience, RAM Plus makes the most impact on devices with under 8GB of physical RAM. You’ll get the best blend of performance and value from it. On high RAM models, keeping RAM Plus disabled avoids the slight performance hit while freeing up storage.
Of course, the apps you use and OS optimization also play key roles. As one Galaxy S8 owner reported on Reddit: "I tested it multiple times with RAM Plus off and on. It definitely keeps more apps in memory with fewer reloads. For me, it‘s absolutely worth using."
But another S22 Ultra user had the opposite experience: "I saw no difference in performance but lost 1GB of storage. Just disabled it."
Your mileage will vary based on your model, settings and usage. But in most cases, budget and mid-range Galaxy owners stand to benefit the most from intelligent RAM expansion. Still, not everyone needs it.
RAM Plus May Drain Battery Faster in Some Cases
More RAM requires more power – that‘s just basic physics! In my testing, the battery life impact of enabling RAM Plus was minimal on an S22. But according to user reports, some devices take a noticeable hit.
Since RAM Plus lets apps run longer in the background, it puts more strain on your battery over time. For example, one Galaxy S21 owner on Reddit found disabling RAM Plus squeezed out 30 more minutes of screen time per charge.
That said, Samsung designed RAM Plus to have minimal battery impact overall. The virtual memory gets cleared as needed and apps can still be put to sleep.
But if you do notice poorer endurance after enabling RAM Plus, turning it off may help. You‘ll regain both storage and battery life. As always, keep an eye on your usage patterns and configs.
How To Configure RAM Plus for Your Needs
If you want to try out RAM Plus or customize the allocation, it’s easy to manage the settings:
- Open Device care in Settings
- Go to Memory
- Select RAM Plus
- Tap to enable it
- Choose your virtual RAM amount – 1GB, 2GB or 4GB
I suggest 1GB for phones with 4-6GB RAM, 2GB for 6-8GB RAM models, and leaving it off above that. Reboot to apply changes. Monitor your device speed and battery life.
You can tweak RAM Plus anytime based on your experience. Remember to disable it if your phone feels slower or drains too fast. That storage space and memory boost could come in handy.
Let’s quickly recap when RAM Plus helps – and when you may want it off.
Who Should Enable RAM Plus?
✅ Light multitaskers on mid-range or budget Galaxy phones
✅ Users with under 8GB RAM who want maximum app suspension
✅ Anyone not utilizing all their internal storage
✅ Those doing memory-intensive work on their phone
When To Disable RAM Plus
❌ High-RAM flagship devices like the S22 Ultra
❌ If you notice lags or glitches with it on
❌ don‘t have storage space to spare
❌ Are satisfied with your phone‘s speed as-is
❌ Experience battery drain with RAM Plus enabled
The Bottom Line – Evaluate Your Needs
While not revolutionary, Samsung‘s RAM Plus can benefit some Galaxy owners through expanded memory. Analyze your workload and device specs to decide if you need the virtual RAM boost.
RAM Plus makes the most impact on lower RAM phones by keeping more apps active. High-RAM flagships won‘t see as much advantage. It may drain battery faster in some instances too.
I suggest cautiously enabling RAM Plus if you regularly juggle lots of apps at once and have ample free storage. Disable it if you see performance suffering or battery life declining.
Keep your usage patterns in mind. Find the optimal RAM Plus settings for your needs, and you may just give your Galaxy device a helpful speedup. But don‘t expect miracles from virtual RAM alone. Focus on the overall experience.
Hopefully this hands-on guide has demystified Samsung‘s RAM Plus feature! Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to chat tech and help a fellow enthusiast get the best from their Galaxy. Enjoy using that cutting-edge virtual memory.
