Phone Spec confusion

[gloriousnumber1]

I've posted this here because Verizon is my carrier. I don't know where to post it. Feel free to move it, Admin's!

I was wondering if anyone knows a good source of information (or is willing to share it here) of how important things like Ram, Processor Speed, and Multi-cores are to a smartphone experience.

I would guess that, once you get to 1+ GHZ and dual core, Ram is the most important. In other words, what should I be looking for? If more cores was where it was at, then the SGS3 would significantly lag behind the Note 2, since the note 2 is quad core, and the s3 is dual core (both USA versions specs).

What is really making phone operate faster? Isn't Ram about running more things at once? Processor speed hasn't significantly gone up in the last couple years. Otherwise, we would see 3+ GHZ speeds. I think that must mean they are not that important.

Smart people, I'm ready to soak up your wisdom!

 

[OutOfPhase]

I am going to move this to the android lounge where I think you will get the answers you need.

 

[hilmar2k]

Yes, RAM is used for multitasking, as is a multi-core processor. One of the reasons that the dual core processors in phones like the GS3, Inc4G, and the RAZR M/HD can keep up with the quad core phones is that they are different processors. The dual core Qualcomm processors are very fast, even faster than the quad core Tegra. Only the quad core Qualcomm in the DNA and the upcoming One is significantly faster.

 

[chanchan05]

There's more than just cores to take into account. For example, some US versions of the S3 are using dual core A15 chips, which is as powerful as the quad core A9 chips on the Note, so no, cores aren't the be all and end all of the speed thing. Processor speed did not increase but the chip capability has increased, which makes needing higher clock speeds for processors irrelevant. Besides, higher clock speeds increase batter usage and heat, and its something you want to avoid on a cellphone.

However, once you go past 1+Ghz on ANY chip variant, it becomes a matter of RAM and how intensive the app you want to play. Basically, any 1Ghz dual core with 1GB RAM can do almost anything you would want your phone to do except the most taxing of games. I am currently using an S3 mini with a 1.2Ghz dual core chip and 1GB RAM, and comparing it to my brother's full S3 with 1.2Ghz quad core and 1GB RAM, the only difference than can be seen in performance is when we play Asphalt 7. His game play seem more fluid than mine, but both are playable (something like comparing 40fps to 60fps in games. Not important in affecting playability but noticeable).

Also, with more RAM, you can have more customizations running on the background like widgets, homescreens, and services without taxing the system and slowing it down. Plus it makes the device more future proof.

 

[gloriousnumber1]

Great information. I keep reminding myself, that despite how something new is always on the horizon or recently released, that my Maxx is performing well (3rd refurb replacement because of bad headphone jacks), and nothing out there does anything I NEED to do. Sure, they are faster and more efficient, with more features. I look forward to something this fall that I have yet to hear about. Can someone please make a DNA - Maxx - with SD support.......