All articles tagged with #ram upgrade
Raspberry Pi firmware now locks RAM size and module changes, making upgrades and repairs harder; the move aims to prevent counterfeit RAM and maintain stability, but has drawn criticism over openness and user ownership, with older EEPROM-based workarounds existing at the cost of reliability.
The Clicks Communicator will ship in December with 12GB RAM (up from 8GB) and a 4,350mAh battery (up from 4,000mAh), while preserving a $499 preorder price. The device pairs a built-in physical keyboard with features like a speech-to-text Prompt Key, Message Hub for quick replies, and a new Clicks Mobile service using AT&T (US) and Vodafone (UK). It’s sold unlocked and supports accessories, with ongoing software updates announced (Android 17 era).
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 (pre-orders) reportedly ship with 4GB RAM—double the 2GB of prior models—based on Xcode 27 findings. Powered by the new S11 chip, they support watchOS 27 AI features, though Apple has not publicly announced the RAM increase.
Valve shipped the Steam Machine with a single 16GB DDR5 SODIMM due to supply constraints. The author then spent roughly $225–$245 to source a matching 16GB DDR5 SODIMM to run dual-channel RAM, a process that requires nearly full disassembly of the compact unit. In testing, the two-channel RAM yields real but modest gains in CPU-bound tasks and certain titles (notably Baldur’s Gate 3), while overall the upgrade is expensive, fiddly, and not typically worth it unless RAM prices recover. Valve may adjust RAM configurations in future builds.
Rumor suggests the Tensor G7 may debut with LPDDR5X and LPDDR6 RAM, potentially enabling higher memory bandwidth and stronger on-device AI for the Pixel 12 Pro, but details are unconfirmed and dependent on packaging/thermals, so take with caution.
A leak suggests the iPhone 18 and 18e will ship with 9GB of RAM to give Apple Intelligence more room for iOS 27 AI features; the higher-end iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Fold Ultra reportedly stay at 12GB. The 9GB config would use six 1.5GB memory dies instead of four 2GB dies and is pegged to launch in the first half of 2027, signaling Apple’s AI ambitions shaping hardware and potentially nudging Android brands to experiment with non-standard RAM configurations.
Base prices for the 16-inch MacBook Pro rose about 13–15%, but RAM upgrades (up to 128GB) and 8TB SSD storage push the top-spec M5 Max (18-core CPU, 40-core GPU) to a staggering $10,149.
OnePlus has released a new Indian-market edition of the OnePlus 15R with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, joining the existing 12GB RAM variants; remaining specs include a 7,400 mAh battery and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. Priced at INR 61,999 (~$656), the new version appears to be India-exclusive for now with no confirmed US rollout, and the extra RAM could improve AI workloads and overall responsiveness.
OnePlus is expanding its India lineup for the 15R by adding a 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant priced at INR 61,999 (~$657), while the existing 12GB RAM models remain. The phone features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display at 165Hz, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a triple camera setup led by a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 32MP selfie camera, and a 7,400 mAh battery with 80W charging.
Nvidia has bumped the laptop GeForce RTX 5070 from 8GB to 12GB of GDDR7 (a 50% RAM increase) to ease bottlenecks, but the upgrade is expensive—about $1,199 for 12GB vs $699 for 8GB. The mobile GPU uses the same GB206 die with 4,608 CUDA cores and a 128-bit memory interface, so while the RAM boost helps, it doesn’t change the desktop-to-mobile performance gap. Ongoing memory shortages keep prices high across vendors, making the upgrade cost-prohibitive for many buyers.
The article discusses signs that a laptop may become obsolete by 2026, including lack of TPM 2.0 for Windows 11 compatibility, HDD system drives instead of SSDs, 8GB or less RAM, absence of USB-C ports, weak battery life, and outdated 720p displays. Upgrading or replacing hardware and switching to Linux are suggested options for extending device lifespan.
B&H offers a rare deal on the upgraded 32GB RAM configuration of the M4 Mac mini at $1,099, matching the lowest price seen, providing a significant discount on a high-spec model, which is usually priced at $1,199 from Apple.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a significant RAM upgrade, potentially offering 16GB of RAM globally, ending a four-year stagnation in RAM capacity for the Ultra series and maintaining Samsung's lead over competitors like Apple.
Leaks suggest that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will feature RAM and storage upgrades, with premium models offering up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This enhancement aims to support the increasing demands of AI-powered applications and improve overall performance. The base model is expected to maintain 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the higher-end versions will surpass the Galaxy S24 Ultra in RAM capacity, appealing to users seeking superior multitasking and gaming capabilities.
The 13-inch M3 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM is now available for $1,299 on Amazon, marking a $400 discount from its original price of $1,699. This price drop follows Apple's recent upgrade of its Mac lineup to start with 16GB of RAM, effectively offering more RAM without a price increase. The 24GB/512GB configuration is now priced the same as the previous 16GB model, reflecting a significant value improvement for consumers.