Why The iPhone 6 Shouldn't Need More Memory

Though the upcoming iPhone 6 by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to include a much larger display, other features on the smartphone may prove that bigger isn’t always better.

Apple is also expected focus on conserving battery power on the iPhone 6 via a larger battery and also through software optimization of the mobile system iOS 8 to be implemented onto new devices in the fall. But another way Apple may conserve battery power on the iPhone 6 is by maintaining a 1GB RAM capacity on the device.

The Chinese Apple repair firm GeekBar shared a document on Monday it claims includes hardware details about the smartphone. The firm says the document lists that the iPhone 6 may include 1GB of RAM or short-term memory, which has already been contested by members of MacRumors, who say that the document may be referring to a different type of memory and not RAM. Even so, the likelihood of Apple increasing the RAM capacity on the iPhone 6 is slim.

RAM stands for random access memory, which is a type of computer memory that is most commonly used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on. As smartphones become more advanced, many often get RAM upgrades. Many Android-powered devices have as much as 3GB of RAM, but Apple only upgraded the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c from 512MB to 1GB of RAM last year.

Maintaining the already established 1GB RAM capacity on the iPhone 6 could be a part of Apple’s plan for battery conservation. Apple Insider notes that an increased RAM capacity would require more battery power and can contribute to battery drain.

Apple’s iPhone models have often been used as proof that constant RAM upgrades are not necessary as they have typically remained small, used lower-resolution displays and processors with fewer cores and lower clock speeds. Conversely, many Android-powered devices are constantly being released with larger, higher-resolution displays and more powerful processors, which fuels the need for more RAM. But even with a larger display, Apple’s focus on battery conservation could alleviate the need for more RAM in the iPhone 6.

With Apple expected to unveil the iPhone 6 at a media event on Sept. 9, there are still a few weeks before any features can be confirmed.