How much RAM does a smartphone really need? If you’re an Asian brand that makes gaming phones, the answer is ‘as much as technically and humanly possible’. This is the approach that ASUS follows with the ROG Phone 5, which can pack up to 18 GB of RAM.
The 18 GB LPDDR5 mobile DRAM module comes from SK Hynix, a semiconductor from Seoul, South Korea. In a statement released today, SK Hynix said the new chip operates at a maximum of 6,400 Mbps, which is about 20% faster than previous LPDDR5 DRAMs on the market. The release also said that SK Hynix has officially started mass production of the chips, and the first batch is moving to ASUS’s ROG Phone 5.
Launched on March 10, the ROG Phone 5 is expected to be powered by all the latest specs, including a Snapdragon 888, a high-refresh OLED screen, and of course that 18GB of RAM at the top end variant. The device probably also has a back design with built-in dot-matrix technology. The beloved shoulder buttons are expected to return as well.
We here at XDA loved the ROG Phone 3, so this direct sequel (the brand skipped the number 4 due to Chinese superstitions) has a lot to satisfy. We know it will not lack memory, that’s for sure. SK Hynix’s statement also adds that the chip is designed for ‘premium smartphones to support an optimal environment for high resolution games and also high quality videos’, and the ROG Phone 5 will definitely make use of this.
Recent leaks also indicate that ASUS will bring back the 3.5mm headphone jack with the ROG Phone 5, and it can charge 65W high speed wire. The device will likely run an almost stock of Android 11 out of the box, with some game-related additions from ASUS. We will let you know as soon as we learn more about the ROG Phone 5.