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

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 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.

Pixel 8 Pro specs:

Google Pixel Fold

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.

Pixel Fold specs:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

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.

Galaxy S23 Ultra specs:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

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.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 specs:

OnePlus 11

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 11 specs:

Nothing Phone 2

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 2 specs:

Xiaomi 13 series

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.

Xiaomi 13 specs:

Xiaomi 13 Pro specs:

Xiaomi 13 Ultra specs:

Sony Xperia 1 V

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.

Xperia 1 V specs:

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