Andoid 15: Google raises minimum hardware requirements

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Google is denying smartphones and tablets with insufficient memory the update to Android 15. More RAM than before is also required.

As Android Authority has learned, Google is increasing the minimum requirements for flash memory and other factors with Android 15. The aim is to increase user comfort, even for low-end devices. In addition to memory, other factors must also be met.

Android 15: Smartphones must offer at least 32 GB of memory

With Android 15, Google is doubling the requirements for the minimum memory: instead of the 16 GB previously required for Android 13, manufacturers must equip their devices with at least 32 GB of flash memory to be allowed to install the new OS version on smartphones and tablets. This applies to both new models and existing devices.

While mid-range and high-end devices easily meet this requirement, as they are usually equipped with at least 128 GB or more, this is not the case with cheaper models. As a result, some manufacturers still offer smartphones with far less memory. Google now also stipulates that 75 percent of the 32 GB must be allocated to the data partition, on which pre-installed system apps, system app data, certain system files and all user apps and files are stored.

Manufacturers could circumvent the requirements by releasing their devices with a pure AOSP version. However, these smartphones would then lack the essential Google services such as the Play Store, Play Services, Google apps and the entire substructure.

More RAM for Android 15 and 16

The threshold for RAM will also be raised: Manufacturers must install at least two or three GB of RAM to be able to use Android 15. With this amount of memory, however, they can only use the reduced version of the Go edition. At least four GB of RAM is required for the full Android 15 experience.

With the update to Android 16, which will be released in the summer, Google apparently requires at least six GB. For devices with four GB of RAM or less, Google will only allow the Android Go edition.

Further requirements

In addition to the minimum memory requirements, Google also requires that manufacturers of devices with telephony functions offer users the option of sharing their emergency contacts with the Emergency Location Service.

This function, which is optional for users, not only allows the location to be shared with emergency services in an emergency. Emergency services can also reach the emergency contacts specified by the user to share updates or receive additional information.

With Android 15, Google also stipulates that new chipsets must support Vulkan 1.3 or higher and comply with the Android Baseline 2022 profile and the Vulkan profile for Android 15. Furthermore, the integration of ANGLE libraries (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine) is required, which translates older OpenGL ES calls into Vulkan to ensure compatibility with older apps and games.

(dmk)