Are you going to buy a new mobile phone? If so, one factor you should consider is internal memory and internal storage which it has. Generally, the malfunction of mobile phones a few months after purchase is due to this, to the lack of free space in storage. Choosing a mobile phone with high-capacity memory is a good idea, but not only because of the number of gigabytes: other factors also play a role. the actual use you make of itthe size of apps and games, the photos and videos that you generate and even the system space you can't see. Now, what internal memory should a new mobile phone have?
8 GB is very little
If you're looking for a very cheap mobile phone, you might come across versions of 8 GB. Is very littleBetween the system and the basic apps, there will be hardly any room left to install anything. Generally, you'll have frequent problems with updates, downloads, and even with the camera when trying to record videos. My recommendation would be to buy a better phone, even if it means waiting a while to save up.
16 GB is the minimum today
You can't even say that the 16 GB versions They might be sufficient for a mobile phone, but it could work as absolute minimum if your budget is very tight and provided that uses microSD For photos and videos. Keep in mind that apps are increasingly weigh more And that the system occupies a significant portion of the memory. Realistically, with 16 GB, after setting up the phone you'll have some free space left. very few free gigabytesIf you can't expand with a microSD card, it will soon become insufficient.
32GB is ideal
ok, 128 GB They would be better than 32 GB, we agree on that. But speaking of entry-level realities, 32 GB They have long been a reasonable option for avoiding problems with basic apps and some multimedia. However, it is advisable qualify: if you can also expand with microSD For your photos and videos, the experience is greatly improved; and if not, 32 GB only fits If you make very light use of it and have good discipline in cleaning files and using the cloud.
64 GB and 128 GB, for mobiles without microSD card
From here on, the versions with 64 GB y 128 GB They're the logical choice if your phone doesn't have a microSD slot. They're ideal if you're going to use the camera frequentlyYou install several social media apps and a game or two. In these cases, having more storage capacity is essential. keyThe 64GB models can work with moderate usage, but for peace of mind and to last for several years, 128 GB is a very balanced standard.
How much space does your mobile phone's content actually take up?
To properly size, it is helpful to know what fills the storage over time:
- ApplicationsMessaging apps, social networks, and browsers (WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Chrome) accumulate cached data and local copies. Several of them together can total several gigabytes.
- Games: demanding titles download additional resources after installation. It's not uncommon for them to take up 5 to 10 GB per game, and some even exceed that amount.
- Videos: a minute of 4K can take around hundreds of MBWhile at 1080p and 720p they drop noticeably. The higher the resolution and fps (slow motion), more space consume.
- PhotosA standard photo might be light, but if you shoot in high resolutionIf you activate HDR or RAW, the file size scales rapidly. One hundred "heavy" photos can add up to several GB without you even noticing.
- CacheThe system and apps store temporary data that, with the monthsThey end up taking up gigabytes. Cleaning it from time to time helps.
- System updates and dataOver time, the operating system and its components can growAnd that space is not usually recovered.
- Local backups y font/language packages: small separately, but adding up They reach hundreds of MB or more.
- Downloads, documents and multimediaPDFs, presentations, audios and forgotten files They also accumulate in the downloads folder.
- Music and podcastsIf you download lists and episodes in high quality, you can consume several GB in days.
- Courier: photos, videos and documents They are saved by default. in memory. Reviewing the chats that take up the most space is vital.
- Local backups y font/language packages: small separately, but adding up They reach hundreds of MB or more.
How much space do you need depending on the use?
On a 64GB mobile phone, the system and its partitions can take up a significant amount of space, so it's worth knowing How to free up space on internal memoryAssuming standard apps, photos, and some video, it's realistic to expect 40–50 GB effective in a favorable scenario.
- Basic use (calls, WhatsApp, few photos, no large games): 64 GB with microSD or cloud They may be enough, but 128 GB gives you some leeway.
- Standard use (networks, frequent camera use, streaming, some editing): 128 GB is the most balanced option because price/space256 GB if you don't use a microSD card and store a lot of content.
- Intensive use (heavy games, 4K video, RAW, offline downloads): 256 GB minimizes the risk of running out of space; 512 GB or more if you want it all local.
How to expand and manage memory: microSD, cloud and best practices
If your mobile phone allows it, one microSD and App2SD It's the simplest way to free up internal storage. Use it to photos, videos and documentsChoose the right card: Class 10, U1 or U3 If you record in 4K, to ensure stable write speeds, some Android devices offer «adoptable storage", which integrates the microSD card as part of the internal memory; it values ​​performance, because slow cards can cause jerks.
- CloudEnable automatic backups to services like Photos or Drive to free up space without losing your memories. It's the best option. comfortable if you change your mobile phone often.
- App managementCheck in Settings which ones more occupyClear the cache of apps that grow too large and uninstall the ones you don't use.
- Courier: configures that not download It automatically sorts all content and cleans up large chats.
- Downloads: periodically empty the folder of DownloadsIt's a nest of forgotten PDFs and ZIPs.
- GamesIf a game takes up 8–10 GB and you no longer play it, uninstall it; you can download it again whenever you want.
- Cleaning apps: use the storage manager Use reliable system or tools. Avoid "aggressively" cleaning useful files.
And what about virtual RAM?
Some manufacturers allow activation Virtual RAM (for example, options like "RAM Plus"), which reserves part of the storage as backup memory. It can smooth lightweight multitaskingBut it doesn't replace physical RAM: it's slower and doesn't improve performance in games or heavy tasksIf you notice app crashes or lag, prioritize a phone with more real RAM rather than relying on this function.
From my point of view, the ideal configuration in terms of quality/price ratio is to have 128 GB or 256 GB internal memory and the possibility of expanding with microSD for photos and videos. If it's not possible to enlarge it, a mobile phone with 64 GB It may be fine for basic uses, but in the medium term 128 GB It offers more peace of mind. 16 GB It's the bare minimum for a very basic range and 8 GB It's practically synonymous with trouble. If you can choose 512 GB Or more, you'll forget about memory for years and be able to save apps, games, and multimedia without worrying about space.
