Google’s Android Go operating system is designed for phones with 1GB of RAM or less. However, there are a few phones with 2GB of RAM that also run Android Go such as the Wiko Y80. Beginning next quarter, Google says all phones with 2GB RAM or less must launch as Android Go devices.
The info comes from a leaked copy of Google’s Android 11 Go Edition Device Configuration Guide that has an April 24, 2020 date according to XDA Developers. The memo reveals that Google is making Android Go a requirement for new devices with 2GB RAM or less launching as from next quarter. Below are the requirements as stated by the memo:
- Beginning with Android 11, devices with 512MB RAM (including upgrades) are not qualified for preloading GMS.
- All new PRODUCTS launching with Android 11, if they have 2GB RAM or less, MUST return true for ActivityManager.isLowRamDevice() API, and launch as an Android Go device.
- Starting in Q4 2020, all new PRODUCTS launching with Android 10, if they have 2GB RAM or less, MUST return true for ActivityManager.isLowRamDevice() API, and launch as an Android Go device.
- Previously launched 2GB RAM devices in standard GMS configuration SHOULD NOT convert to Android Go configuration via MRs or letter upgrades. They will remain standard Android.
As stated above, Google is saying that it will now be a requirement for devices that will launch with Android 10 or Android 11 with 2GB RAM or less to launch as Android Go.
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Based on this new development, we should see Android Go phones with better performance since the limit has now been raised to 2GB RAM. However, manufacturers may decide not to launch phones with RAM lower than 3GB rather than adopt Android Go so that they can keep their custom UI.
Take for example Xiaomi whose only Android Go phone is the Redmi Go. If it were to adhere to this requirement, it will mean the successors to its entry-level devices such as Redmi 9A and the Redmi 9C will have to run Android Go and not standard Android with MIUI on top. That seems unlikely seeing as the Redmi Go didn’t get a successor and Xiaomi won’t ship one of its best selling series without MIUI.
Another question that this new requirement brings up is “What happens in cases where a phone has other RAM variants?”. Manufacturers will surely not announce a 2GB RAM version of the phone running Android Go while the 3GB RAM version runs standard Android. Time will surely tell if manufacturers adhere to these new rules or find a way to circumvent them.
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