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Phones with 12GB of RAM: What are your best options?

Need true multi-tasking performance? Don't settle for less!
By
October 21, 2023
Google Pixel 8 Pro
MSRP: $999.99
Check price
Positives
Excellent cameras
Improved wired charging
Premium build
Fun, exclusive Android 14 customizations
Industry-leading update promise
Negatives
Tensor G3 still benchmarks behind the best
Gimmicky temperature sensor
Some features not available at launch
Google Pixel Fold
MSRP: $1,799.00
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Positives
Excellent cameras
Polished design
Comfortable displays
Smooth, well-supported software
Pixel-exclusive features
Solid RAM and storage options
Negatives
Lack of optimized apps
Mediocre battery life
Tensor G2 continues to run hot
Quite heavy
Expensive
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
MSRP: $1,199.00
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Positives
Powerful, flexible camera setup
Great battery life with solid charging
Convenient S Pen
Excellent software update promise
Premium materials and display
Great performance
Negatives
Will be too large for some
Limited base RAM for the price
Expensive, especially for extra storage
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
MSRP: $1,799.99
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Positives
New hinge finally folds flat
Bright, vibrant displays
Powerful multitasking features
Impressive peak performance
S Pen support
Long-term update policy
Negatives
$1,800 price tag is still too high
Mediocre battery life
Thick and heavy
Slows down under sustained load
S Pen not included, no dock
OnePlus 11
MSRP: $699.99
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Positives
Eye-catching design and finish
Stunning display
Powerful peak performance
Blazing-fast wired charging
Excellent software update promise
Negatives
No wireless charging
Hit or miss camera colors
Awful low-light shots
Mediocre zoom capabilities
Limited water resistance
Nothing Phone 2
MSRP: $599.00
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Positives
Expertly crafted, effortlessly cool design
Brighter, beautiful OLED display
Solid main camera
Flagship-tier performance
Great battery life and fast, versatile charging options
Excellent value
Negatives
Mediocre ultrawide camera
Only IP54
Outdated Gorilla Glass
Tinny speakers
Selfie video capped at 1080p/30fps
Quick to throttle under GPU load
Xiaomi 13
MSRP: ¥3,999.00
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Positives
Powerful performance
Really fast charging
Great design
Negatives
Hard to get in the USA
We wish the battery was larger
no 1TB option
Xiaomi 13 Pro
MSRP: ¥4,999.00
Check price
Positives
Excellent build quality
Large, eye-catching display
Sharp Leica camera system
Impressive sustained performance
Great battery life and charging
Crisp speakers
Negatives
MIUI can be messy
No 4K or 60fps video on selfie camera
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
MSRP: $1,528.00
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Positives
Great display
Brilliant camera array
Powerful processor
Stunning design
Negatives
Limited availability
Gets hot under stress
Messy software
Not as good value as the Pro
Sony Xperia 1 V
MSRP: $1,399.99
Check price
Positives
Excellent battery life
Great build
Improved cameras
Solid performance
Price cut over previous gen
Negatives
No update commitment
Older display tech
Mediocre charging
Still expensive

More companies are releasing phones with 12GB of RAM these days. Having as much RAM as possible makes sense if you plan to keep your phone for a long time or are a true multitasking beast. While 12GB of RAM for a phone may be overkill for some, it could become standard on flagships Android phones a few years down the line. If you really want that much RAM, here are our favorite options.

The best phones with 12GB of RAM

Editor’s note: As new devices launch, we’ll regularly update this list of the best phones with 12GB of RAM.


Google Pixel 8 Pro

google pixel 8 pro rear all colors
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Google took things to another level with its Pixel 6 series in 2021, and the 2022 Pixel 7 series only took things to the next level. In 2023, the Pixel 8 series symbolizes refinement, with a similar design approach and incremental improvements. The device has a fun design, premium build quality, powerful specs, and an overall great smartphone experience, all for a very competitive price.

You’ll also get Google’s outstanding camera performance and better hardware. The Pixel 8 Pro comes with three cameras. On the front side, you’ll find a 10.5MP camera and a great LTPO OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1,344 x 2,992 resolution.

Other specs include the Google Tensor G3 chipset, a large 5,050mAh battery, and plenty of other Pixel features. Not to mention, you’ll get a clean UI and timely updates. Especially considering Google has taken things up a notch with a seven-year update promise! Overall, we had pretty good impressions of it in our Pixel 8 Pro review.

Pricing starts at $999, but this phone is definitely one of the best phones with 12 GB of RAM.

Google Pixel 8 ProGoogle Pixel 8 Pro
AA Editors Choice
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Excellent cameras • Fun, exclusive Android 14 customizations • Industry-leading update promise
MSRP: $999.99
Powerful Google phone with powerful camera features
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is packed with unique camera features and AI-assisted software that puts the smart into smartphone.

Pixel 8 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, 1,344 x 2,992
  • SoC: Google Tensor G3
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 50, 48, and 48MP
  • Front camera: 10.5MP
  • Battery: 5,050mAh
  • Software: Android 14

Google Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold half closed on palm 3 - Phones with 12GB of RAM
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If you feel adventurous and want to be on the bleeding edge of technology, we would like to direct you to the Google Pixel Fold. It’s unique because it has a flexible screen that allows it to fold in half. The device essentially doubles as a smartphone and a tablet, depending on how you use it.

The MSRP is set at a whopping $1,799, making it one of the most expensive smartphones available. It’s the same price as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, though. By now, this is standard pricing for high-end foldable phones like this one.

The Pixel Fold makes very few compromises, which makes sense when it costs so much. Thanks to the Tensor G2 chipset and the 12GB of RAM, its performance is great. You’ll also get great OLED screens with 120Hz refresh rates. The cameras should be worthy of the Pixel moniker, and the battery is pretty nice at 4,821mAh. You’ll even get an IPx8 rating for water resistance.

Google Pixel FoldGoogle Pixel Fold
AA Recommended
Google Pixel Fold
Excellent cameras • Comfortable displays • Pixel-exclusive features
MSRP: $1,799.00
Google enters the fold
Google is hitting the foldables market in style with the Google Pixel Fold. The pricey book-style phone brings Google's elite photography smarts to the folding form factor, plus the Tensor G2 chip, an IPX8 rating for water resistance, and a huge 7.6-inch AMOLED 120Hz internal display.

Pixel Fold specs:

  • Display: 7.6-inch (2,208 x 1,840) and 5.8-inch (2,092 x 1,080)
  • SoC: Tensor G2
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 256/512GB
  • Cameras: 40, 10.8, and 10.8MP
  • Front camera: 8 and 9.5MP
  • Battery: 4,821mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

samsung galaxy s23 ultra home screen and s pen - Phones with 12GB of RAM
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was definitely one of the best phones of 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra follows in its footsteps gracefully. It’s now one of the best phones with 12GB of RAM too. The phone is just as impressive across the specs sheet. The large 6.8-inch is impressively gorgeous, featuring a QHD+ resolution, Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, HDR10+ support, and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Additionally, you’ll enjoy plenty of high-end specs, such as a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a hefty 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, and a capable quad-camera setup. Not to mention the premium design Galaxy S devices are known for. To make matters even more interesting, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra also features S Pen and a slot a la Note series.

We had very few bad things to say in our full review, and they are factors we already know. It’s large, expensive, and comes without much RAM at its base configuration. Since you’re looking for 12GB of RAM, you won’t have the latter issue, and you’re already expecting to spend a bit of cash.

Samsung Galaxy S23 UltraSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
AA Editors Choice
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
New 200MP main camera • Beautiful display • S Pen functionality
MSRP: $1,199.00
The Ultra release of Samsung's 2023 flagship line
Powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the smaller models in the series, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers larger storage capacities and a whopping 200MP camera. S Pen support and a 6.8-inch display make the Ultra ideal for note-takers on the go.

Galaxy S23 Ultra specs:

  • Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
  • RAM: 8/12GB
  • Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 12, 10, 10, and 200MP
  • Front cameras: 12MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 unfolded on grid
Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

The Google Pixel Fold is a fantastic foldable device, but its closest competitor is also one of the best phones with 12GB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a great handset, and many would prefer its slew of Samsung features and design. And, of course, it also costs $1,799.99.

All things considered, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 continues to be a great high-end option. In our review, we found that battery life could be improved, and the device is pretty thick and heavy. Otherwise, you will love it. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, and performance is no issue. It’s also a multitasking beast, thanks to its large internal display, and the screen is very smooth, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate.

The 4,400mAh battery manages to keep the phone alive for nearly a full day. We also wish it came with an S Pen, which it does support. And the crease is very visible. Aside from those few downsides, though, this is a spectacular device.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
AA Editors Choice
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
New hinge finally folds flat • Bright, vibrant displays • Powerful multitasking features
MSRP: $1,799.99
The most powerful folding phone gets even stronger
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 improves on the folding platform with a more reliable hinge, stronger glass, an IPX8 rating, plenty of storage options, and a big, bright display.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 specs:

  • Display: 7.6-inch 1,812 x 2,176 and 6.2-inch 904 x 2,316
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 50, 12, and 10MP
  • Front camera: 10MP, 4MP UDC
  • Battery: 4,400mAh
  • Software: Android 13

OnePlus 11

oneplus 11 back glass standing - Phones with 12GB of RAM
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
OnePlus 11 back

OnePlus‘ track record continues in all its glory, and the OnePlus 11 is one of the best phones with 12GB of RAM. Especially if you’re looking to get a high-end experience at a lower price point when compared to the flagships from other manufacturers.

This device comes with premium specs like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a stunning 6.7-inch display with a QHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a gorgeous design, and a pretty good battery life. By the way, you can charge it at 100W (80W in the USA).

Of course, the device has its downsides. Consider them the sacrifices made to achieve such a competitive price point. We didn’t like the camera much, it only has an IP64 rating, and it has no wireless charging.

OnePlus 11OnePlus 11
OnePlus 11
Powerful peak performance • Blazing-fast wired charging • Excellent software promise
MSRP: $699.99
OnePlus is simplifying its lineup and packing all the goods into one flagship device
The OnePlus 11 is all about speed, thanks to 80W wired charging and Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. It also features a third-generation Hasselblad camera setup, an IP64 rating, and OnePlus' most aggressive pricing in years.

OnePlus 11 specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • RAM: 8/12/16GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 48, 50, and 32MP
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Nothing Phone 2

Nothing Phone 2 in gray with glyph lighting enabled
Damien Wilde / Android Authority

If you’re looking for a high-end experience on a tighter budget, the Nothing Phone 2 is definitely one of the best phones with 12 GB of RAM. The base version will come with 8GB of RAM, so you’ll need to upgrade to either the 256GB or 512GB storage versions to get 12GB of RAM. These start at $699.

No one can deny the Nothing Phone 2 is a very unique phone, both minimalistic and flashy. It also features very good performance. Though its Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 is older, it still performs very nicely. We had no issues during our Nothing Phone 2 review, and we also loved its gorgeous OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, the primary camera is very solid, and great battery life.

Of course, there are some sacrifices to be had at such a nice price point. It only has an IP54 rating, the speakers aren’t very good, and we’re not fans of the ultrawide camera. Otherwise, it is a great handset!

Nothing Phone 2Nothing Phone 2
AA Recommended
Nothing Phone 2
Expertly crafted, effortlessly cool design • Flagship-tier performance • Excellent value
MSRP: $599.00
The Nothing Phone gets a power boost.
Building on the success of Nothing's debut Android handset, the Nothing Phone 2 features the same unique transparent look and Glyph lighting but adds more processing power, a larger screen and battery, and makes some subtle design tweaks. You can also buy this one in the US!

Nothing Phone 2 specs:

  • Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
  • RAM: 8/12GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 50 and 50MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 4,700mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Xiaomi 13 series

Xiaomi 13 Pro cameras under plant - Phones with 12GB of RAM
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Xiaomi keeps rocking the world with some excellent phones, and the Xiaomi 13 series certainly has some of the best phones with 12GB of RAM. These are a nice upgrade over the Xiaomi 12 series, too.

Both the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and up to 12GB of RAM. They’re also IP68-rated, but that’s about where the similarities end.

These phones come with batteries that range between 4,500-4,820mAh. The 13 has a smaller 6.36-inch screen with a Full HD+ resolution. Meanwhile, the 13 Pro offers a 6.73-inch QHD+ panel. The camera setups are also different. The Xiaomi 13 has a 50MP wide camera, 10MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide shooter. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 13 Pro gets upgraded to a 50MP primary sensor and 50MP secondary cameras.

If you want to go all out, there is also the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. This phone is a total beast, and you would think it belongs to a whole other series if you looked at the spec sheet. It makes no compromises, offering a Snapdragon 8 GEn 2 and as much as 16GB of RAM. There are four 50MP cameras in the back, as well as a ToF sensor for depth detection. The QHD screen is gorgeous, offering an LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also features a 5,000mAh battery and 90W wired charging, as well as 50W wireless charging.

See price at eBay
Xiaomi 13
1%off
Xiaomi 13
Powerful performance
Really fast charging
Great design
See price at Amazon
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Powerful sustained performance
Really fast charging
Great design
See price at Amazon
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
13%off
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Great display
Brilliant camera
Stunning design

Xiaomi 13 specs:

  • Display: 6.36-inch, Full HD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • RAM: 8/12GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 50, 12, and 10MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Xiaomi 13 Pro specs:

  • Display: 6.73-inch, QHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • RAM: 8/12GB
  • Storage: 128/256/512GB
  • Cameras: 50.3, 50, and 50MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 4,820mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Xiaomi 13 Ultra specs:

  • Display: 6.73-inch, QHD+
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • RAM: 12/16GB
  • Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
  • Cameras: 50, 50, 50, and 50MP
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 13

Sony Xperia 1 V

Sony Xperia 1 V back angled
Harley Maranan / Android Authority

The Sony Xperia 1 V enters the list of the best phones with 12GB of RAM with grace, especially for those who appreciate the company’s minimalist yet high-quality design. It’s a costly phone at $1,399, but it’s also an excellent one.

While the display tech is slightly older, it’s still an impressive 4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has stunning performance, excellent battery life, and the camera system makes it stand out from the competition. And performance is nothing short of great.

By the way, this phone is also on our list of the best camera phones. The photos are great, but its video capabilities make it unique. It can shoot 4K video at 120fps, and the quality is excellent. It’s really an amazing phone if you can get past the slightly outrageous price.

Sony Xperia 1 VSony Xperia 1 V
AA Recommended
Sony Xperia 1 V
Excellent battery life • Great build • Improved cameras
MSRP: $1,399.99
A classic, refined.
Sony continues to deliver powerful portable cameras that also happen to be smartphones. The Xperia 1 V rocks top hardware, powerful cameras, and the ability to connect to Sony DSLR cameras to enhance your shooting experience.

Xperia 1 V specs:

  • Display: 6.5-inch, 4K
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 256/512GB
  • Cameras: 48, 12, and 12MP
  • Front camera: 12MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Software: Android 13

FAQs

RAM stands for Random Access Memory.

RAM’s primary purpose is to store temporary files for immediate use. This memory is usually much faster than your storage memory, making it the best candidate for active processes. It makes accessing multiple tasks at once much quicker and more efficient.

We’ve dug deep into the topic in our RAM testing. Our verdict is that, ideally, a modern phone should have 8-12GB of RAM. A phone with this much memory should offer enough performance to keep your phone running snappy no matter what you do with it. Anything below might give you some slowdowns; anything more is probably overkill.

Given that games use a lot of memory, RAM can be an essential spec to look out for if you’re a heavy gamer. A device with more RAM will be able to keep more data handy for immediate use, which is a common need while playing resource-intensive games.