RAM competition between phones and laptops
The latest smartphones now come with 24 GB of RAM, which matches or even surpasses the base models of high-end laptops. For example, the M5 MacBook Air offers 16 GB of memory in its basic configuration. Laptops benefit from extra RAM because it allows them to run multiple applications smoothly at the same time. The same principle applies to smartphones. As manufacturers add more complex AI features, having enough RAM becomes essential for optimal performance. In fact, the growing complexity of AI-driven functions has pushed the demand for mobile RAM, driving up prices for this component.
Some Android phones now have at least as much RAM as the most popular and capable mainstream laptop, the M5 MacBook Air. The M5 and M4 versions launched with 16 GB of memory, while the earlier M1, M2, and M3 models came with 8 GB in their base setups. This trend shows how smartphone specs are evolving to match traditional computing devices. As AI continues to develop, users who want to stay ahead may look for devices with the best specs available to avoid future price increases for components like RAM.
Top Android phones with high RAM
One of the standout models is the Realme GT7 Aston Martin F1 Limited Edition, a smartphone developed through a partnership between Realme and the famous car brand Aston Martin. This special edition phone, available in China, offers an impressive 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. It was released in June 2025 and has a starting price of 4,299 yuan, which is about $635. The international version, known as the GT7 Dream Edition, features 16 GB of RAM. This difference in RAM capacity reflects the strategy used by some Chinese vendors to provide higher-end configurations for the local market, while exporting slightly scaled-back versions for other regions.
The Realme GT7 is a flagship device with a 3nm Dimensity 9400+ processor, a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2,800 by 1,280 pixels and a 144 Hz refresh rate, and a powerful 7,200 mAh silicon carbon battery that supports up to 100 W of wired charging. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel wide lens and an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens on the back, as well as a 16-megapixel front camera. Preloaded with Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15, the device is built for long-term usability. In performance testing with Geekbench 6, the international 12 GB version of the phone scored 2,200 in single-core and 7,109 in multi-core benchmarks.
Another top contender is the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, a high-end gaming smartphone unveiled in November 2024. It launched in the U.S. in January 2025 with a price tag of $1,500, and it includes 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, similar to the Realme GT7. However, the 24 GB model may be difficult to find in the U.S. and other international markets. The phone comes with the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and performed well in benchmark tests, scoring 3,171 in single-core and 9,991 in multi-core results. This performance is closer to the M5 MacBook Air, which scored 4,087 (single-core) and 17,044 (multi-core) in the same tests.
Comparing smartphone and laptop performance
The performance of smartphones like the Realme GT7 and Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro brings them into the same league as laptops for certain tasks. For example, both of these phones scored significantly higher in Geekbench 6 tests than the Realme GT7 and were closer in performance to the M5 MacBook Air. This suggests they can handle demanding applications, including AI-based features, which are becoming more common in modern smartphones. While these phones offer high-end hardware, they may not always keep up with the long-term software support found in laptops.
One important difference between the two devices is the amount of software support each offers. The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, for example, only comes with two years of Android updates. This means that, by mid-2026, the phone may no longer receive the latest system updates, which could affect its usability over time. However, users who want to extend their device's life can unofficially install a custom version of Android, though this is not recommended for less experienced users.
In terms of practical use, both the Realme GT7 and Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro are built to last and remain functional for years. They are capable of handling everyday smartphone tasks and more complex AI features. While laptops will likely continue to outperform them in most tasks, especially in multi-core performance, these smartphones are showing that the gap is closing. As both mobile and desktop computing evolve, it's becoming more important for users to consider hardware not just in terms of raw power, but also how long it can stay relevant with updated software.