Is 4GB of RAM large enough for pixel 3 and XL

[Theot]

For those saying its not enough. I just checked my RAM usage on my Pixel 2, its averaging 2.5GB of usage like always. Its about optimization. I've had other OEM phones by multiple manufacturers in the past that have consistently been bumping up against that 4GB limit in just day to day usage. I have a Moto G4 with 2GB of ram that my kid is still using with a ton of crappy games on it that runs great, because the software is optimized well.

On the most recent podcast they were talking about LG still having the "Do not remove the battery" warning on the V40 when it boots up. That is just poor software optimization having things in there like that still and I would venture a guess that most of the OEM's are just adding features and things to their skins but never truly starting over or cleaning them up. I'd bet several of them have years of poorly optimized and buggy code going back several versions and that's why they need more RAM and why their devices use it and why you get lag and stutters at times.

I'm not sold on the Pixel 3, I'm a bit underwhelmed with the hardware based on the price hike and I'm considering other options. What's holding me back is knowing what I might have to deal with for software if I leave a Pixel device. Plus I love this friggin camera and I'm not sure I can go back to something else that isn't as consistent. I rarely get a bad shot with this thing and I've never had that in another device.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Undoubtedly, 4 GB is not sufficient. Google dropped the ball on this.

I usually download and review large spreadsheets while on the go. Often, I am on call with someone and usually with my emails on and documents open.

Last year's Pixel 2, with 4GB of RAM, was showing signs of lagging. This was highly reported and Google knew about it

Yes, the new HTC team has brought over bad habits from HTC devices. This will be an Achilles heel for Google Mobile phone division.

First and last paragraph = false

 

[movielover76]

4GB is fine for stock android, it's not like touchwiz which takes over 2GB of ram at bootup

 

[Mike Dee]

For those saying its not enough. I just checked my RAM usage on my Pixel 2, its averaging 2.5GB of usage like always. Its about optimization. I've had other OEM phones by multiple manufacturers in the past that have consistently been bumping up against that 4GB limit in just day to day usage. I have a Moto G4 with 2GB of ram that my kid is still using with a ton of crappy games on it that runs great, because the software is optimized well.

On the most recent podcast they were talking about LG still having the "Do not remove the battery" warning on the V40 when it boots up. That is just poor software optimization having things in there like that still and I would venture a guess that most of the OEM's are just adding features and things to their skins but never truly starting over or cleaning them up. I'd bet several of them have years of poorly optimized and buggy code going back several versions and that's why they need more RAM and why their devices use it and why you get lag and stutters at times.

I'm not sold on the Pixel 3, I'm a bit underwhelmed with the hardware based on the price hike and I'm considering other options. What's holding me back is knowing what I might have to deal with for software if I leave a Pixel device. Plus I love this friggin camera and I'm not sure I can go back to something else that isn't as consistent. I rarely get a bad shot with this thing and I've never had that in another device.

I hate to see you pass on the 3 because of price but I get it.
You can always stick with the 2 for another year and you will be in good hands. I decided to upgrade and I'm getting the 3XL. I will be sad to let go of the 2XL but whoever buys it from me will be getting a mint one if I sell it on Swappa and that will help offset the cost of my upgrade.

 

[Almeuit]

Well I had the regular pixel not the xl.

Same radio.

 

[chevyman29]

Different manufacturer. HTC versus LG. Different design , different antenna design ,

But I see where this is going. I'm a Samsung fan boy just on here to bash the pixel. Good day sir.

 

[Theot]

I hate to see you pass on the 3 because of price but I get it.
You can always stick with the 2 for another year and you will be in good hands. I decided to upgrade and I'm getting the 3XL. I will be sad to let go of the 2XL but whoever buys it from me will be getting a mint one if I sell it on Swappa and that will help offset the cost of my upgrade.

Yeah I know, I hate to as well. I think I'm going to probably get it. I just have to wait till the end of the month. A couple times a day I think "I'm getting a note!" And then right after that thought I cringe over the curved screen, bixby button and software and I come back off that high real quick lol.

If I can squeeze a little more on swappa than the trade in will get me that will help. It's just kind of tough to stomach only getting $300 for an 8 month old device that like yours is mint and whoever gets it will be getting a dang nice phone for a good price.

 

[puch96]

I have the original Pixel XL with 4GB or RAM... It is OK, but notice that some apps are dumped form memory from time to time without even having several apps open in the background. On top of that, if you use the new best shot feature on the Pixel 3, it uses quite a bit of memory, force closing some open apps... (based on what I read)... I hope it holds up with only 4GB. Time will tell.

 

[Mike Dee]

I have the original Pixel XL with 4GB or RAM... It is OK, but notice that some apps are dumped form memory from time to time without even having several apps open in the background. On top of that, if you use the new best shot feature on the Pixel 3, it uses quite a bit of memory, force closing some open apps... (based on what I read)... I hope it holds up with only 4GB. Time will tell.

Are you referring to force closing system apps that cause issues or just apps hanging out in the background? If you would be so kind as to share a link to what you read.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Are you referring to force closing system apps that cause issues or just apps hanging out in the background? If you would be so kind as to share a link to what you read.

Believe what he is referring to Marques Brownlee said in an interview he was streaming music, and opened the top shot camera on the Pixel 3 and it crashed the music playing due to not enough ram.

 

[anon(10092459)]

But I will say other than the camera being not quiet as good as the pixel 2 it's been overall a better phone. For the way I use it.

Glad the S9 has worked out for you. I really think if your Samsung runs great on 4GB, you would feel 4GB is more than enough for a Pixel phone. If s consumer bought that phone this year, it wouldn't be unusual for them to keep the device til 2020 if not longer.

I run a "skinny" Pixel 2. I don't keep 20 apps opened "at the ready" all the time, don't run games (I think I have one GO app), don't have 100 tabs opened in Chrome all the time, etc. Maybe if I were that type of consumer, I'd feel differently about the RAM.

My Pixel 2 is as smooth as the day I bought it; just as snappy. No lag, not to discount anyone who says they have witnessed something like it.

Individual usage plays a huge part in how people feel about the subject, I guess. But then that kinda goes back to, did the user buy the right device for themselves in the first place.

 

[Theot]

I run a "skinny" Pixel 2. I don't keep 20 apps opened "at the ready" all the time, don't run games (I think I have one GO app), don't have 100 tabs opened in Chrome all the time, etc. Maybe if I were that type of consumer, I'd feel differently about the RAM.

I do the same. I'm not a app switcher user only if I'm actively using two apps that I need to switch back and forth between. Otherwise, I don't go through the recent apps list very much and when I do I'm usually closing them. Its very rare that I have twenty apps in the recents list thought on a busy day it can happen but it doesn't cause me any slow downs.

 

[Almeuit]

Believe what he is referring to Marques Brownlee said in an interview he was streaming music, and opened the top shot camera on the Pixel 3 and it crashed the music playing due to not enough ram.

I have watched his 2 videos and haven't seen that -- where did he say that? Was it truly not enough RAM or was it a glitch? I know in his 2nd impression videos he shows a few bugs with the software from navigating around.

 

[anon(10092459)]

I have watched his 2 videos and haven't seen that -- where did he say that? Was it truly not enough RAM or was it a glitch? I know in his 2nd impression videos he shows a few bugs with the software from navigating around.

I think he's talking about the Podcast interview MKBHD did with Sam Sheffer. He mentioned that during his interview.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I have watched his 2 videos and haven't seen that -- where did he say that? Was it truly not enough RAM or was it a glitch? I know in his 2nd impression videos he shows a few bugs with the software from navigating around.

It wasn't in his videos, will try to find it.

 

[Almeuit]

I think he's talking about the Podcast interview MKBHD did with Sam Sheffer. He mentioned that during his interview.

Ah that makes sense. I haven't listened to that yet.

 

[Adam Matlock]

4GB will be perfectly fine. This is Google, and they run a completely stock version of Android. They don't need the extra RAM to compensate for the UI and other garbage that other mfrs load into the phone. Also, Apple just now hit 4GB of ram, and nobody bats an eyelash over it. This phone isn't like other Androids. It will be perfectly fine.

 

[kagenish]

4GB of ram is more then enough maybe next year they can bump it up to 6gb of ram.

 

[Mike Dee]

I think he's talking about the Podcast interview MKBHD did with Sam Sheffer. He mentioned that during his interview.

It it only happened only once it's probably not an issue. If it happened repeatedly I would reboot the phone before I would be concerned

 

[Lobwedgephil]

It it only happened only once it's probably not an issue. If it happened repeatedly I would reboot the phone before I would be concerned

I haven't seen it mentioned as an issue in any reviews yet, so hopefully that is a good sign that it was an isolated incident.