Despite the evolution of smartphone storage capacities and reaching numbers we never dreamed of before – some even exceeding the “gigabyte” unit originally – the issue of storage capacity filling remains like a thorn in the throat and causes the phone to lose a large part of its value. This is not only because it hinders downloading more applications or storing more photos and videos on the phone, but also because it slows down its performance as well! The storage requirements for modern applications have become large, and due to the development of smartphone cameras, even photos and videos require tens of gigabytes alone. But whatever the reason, you need to find a solution for it because it – once again – has a direct impact on your phone’s performance. But wait, what does memory filling have to do with performance? This is what we will try to explain in detail.
The Effect of Storage Capacity on Phone Performance
Firstly: The Secret Lies in Flash Memory!
Modern Android smartphones use a type of very fast Flash Memory – similar to that found in SSD storage units – known as “Universal Flash Storage” (UFS), which equals or even exceeds the efficiency of the eMMC technology used in older phones. This type comes with a modern technological architecture known as “3D NAND” which contributes to transferring and storing data at speeds of up to 2,900 megabytes per second.
Note: Flash Memories are silicon chips that use a number of Floating Gate Transistors (FGTs) that store data in the form of charge electrical charges, with each cell containing one bit of data equal to 1 in the charged state and equal to zero in the uncharged state, allowing them to store data even when not connected to a power source.
“UFS 4.0” is the latest version of “Universal Flash Storage” for smartphones, with a bandwidth of up to 23.2 gigabytes per path. As we mentioned, there are other types of flash memory like “eMMC”, which is a less efficient type compared to “UFS” and is found in older and very cheap phones, tablets, and TVs. However, all types of “flash memory” work in almost the same mechanism, consisting of a number of cells that store data in the form of “0” or “1” in the binary system. These two digits represent all the data stored on our phones including applications, photos, videos, and other files.
The cells are arranged in groups (Pages) where each group has a storage space of 16 kilobytes, and these groups are the smallest units that can be read or modified. Just as the groups are made up of a collection of cells, the groups are part of larger “blocks”, with each block usually consisting of 256 groups. The block is the smallest unit that can be deleted.
Secondly: Filling Flash Memory Makes It Slower
Flash memory has a layer of oxide that helps in the process of transferring electrons or data. This layer degrades over time, specifically with the repeated read/write cycles, which in turn affects the phone’s performance and storage capabilities in general. It is worth mentioning that this phenomenon also occurs with SSD storage units in computers, and we have explained the reason in detail in a previous article titled [Why You Shouldn’t Fill Your SSD Completely to Avoid Slowing It Down?] We recommend reviewing it. In general, there are complex algorithms in flash memory that compress the negative effect of the oxide layer. However, the problem is that when memory is full, the phone is forced to use full power for its resources, which slows down its performance.
What makes matters worse is that different applications always need additional space beyond their actual size to store temporary files known as “cache”, and thus, the lack of storage space on the phone tightens the noose on the applications and makes them barely work; an application like WhatsApp will force you to clear some space when memory is full, otherwise it won’t work. What may be surprising for some is that the phone’s performance – specifically file reading performance – will be affected even with a few gigabytes available, and you can test this yourself by using an app like CPDT Benchmark. Try to install the app on two phones with different storage capacities, or even on the same phone before and after freeing up space, take screenshots and compare for yourself.
Thirdly: Safe Empty Space to Maintain Phone Performance
We won’t tell you to empty half of the phone’s space because this is an unrealistic advice, even basic and simple apps like Facebook have started consuming more than a gigabyte – at least. Take a look for yourself at the storage space occupied by an app like WhatsApp – remember it’s a messaging app and shouldn’t take up much space – and you might find it occupying more than 5 or 10 gigabytes, or even more.
Based on what we know about how flash memory works, we advise you to free up at least 10% of the phone’s space, try not to fall below 10% in any case, in fact, you may need at least 15% if you consider the new files and photos, which we don’t know where and when they come from!
Fourthly: General Tips for Emptying Phone Space
If your phone’s memory is already full, fortunately, there are several ways you can easily empty the space to have the best possible experience. In general: delete all duplicate, unclear, and unused photos. The last advice in particular is extremely important, as many of us leave large files on our phones even if we don’t use them, fooling ourselves that we will need them in the future.
Also, consider compressing files and always be sure to clear the cache memory of apps, which can reach up to 500 megabytes, and sometimes more, while you ignore them. Lastly but not least, try to rely more on cloud storage methods and keep important photos and videos on external storage drives, this way you ensure backups and at the same time free up phone space. With these simple practices, you can save up to more than 10 gigabytes, and perhaps more if you give up some large games and apps, although this may be difficult for all of us to be honest.
From now on, remember that filling the phone’s space doesn’t just mean depriving you of downloading new files on your phone alone, but it also affects the performance itself. This information should encourage you to come up with effective ways to empty the space, and also remember that we may miss out on wonderful moments just because the phone’s memory is full, you may meet someone important one day and rush to take a picture with them only to realize that the memory is full!
