Complete Guide to RAM Plus on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series (Fold 1 to Fold 6)

Complete Guide to RAM Plus: Understanding Extend RAM on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series (Galaxy Z Fold 1 →Galaxy Z Fold 6)

📌 Introduction — Why This Topic Matters

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold lineup is a pioneer in foldable smartphones, offering an experience that approaches a portable tablet. For users who multitask heavily—running multiple apps, using split-screen, or relying on productivity tools—one common question often appears:

“Can you upgrade the RAM on the Galaxy Z Fold?”

The short answer:

Physical RAM cannot be upgraded (it’s soldered to the motherboard).
But Samsung added RAM Plus (Extend RAM) — a software-based feature that uses part of the internal storage as virtual RAM.

This article explains how it works, its limitations, and which Fold models support it—from Fold 1 through Fold 6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold – RAM Plus Table of Contents

Summary of RAM Plus Support in the Galaxy Z Fold Series

Model	RAM Plus Support (Extend RAM)
Galaxy Z Fold (Fold 1)	❌ No (early One UI versions did not include RAM Plus)
Galaxy Z Fold 2	⚠️ Likely no (depends on firmware updates)
Galaxy Z Fold 3	✔ Yes — added through One UI updates
Galaxy Z Fold 4	✔ Yes
Galaxy Z Fold 5	✔ Yes
Galaxy Z Fold 6	✔ Yes

Note: Availability may vary by region, firmware version, and One UI updates. Fold 1 does not have official support.

1) What Is Extend RAM (RAM Plus)? — Simple Explanation

RAM Plus is a One UI feature that converts a portion of your internal UFS storage into temporary memory — similar to a swap file on a computer.

Its purpose:

Keeps apps alive in the background
Reduces reloads when multitasking
Improves stability in multi-window mode on large displays
Enhances workflow when many apps are open

But RAM Plus does not increase computing performance, and cannot replace physical RAM.

2) How RAM Plus Works (Technical but Easy to Understand)

A. RAM Load Detection

When the system detects that physical RAM (LPDDR) is nearly full, it prepares virtual memory.

B. Creating Swap Space

The system allocates internal storage (e.g., 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 GB) as swap space.

C. Moving Background Data

Inactive apps are moved from RAM to swap → freeing physical RAM for active processes.

D. Restoring Data

When the app is reopened, its data is restored from swap to RAM.

E. Priority Management

Android’s kernel + One UI determine which apps are moved to swap.

Speed comparison:

Physical RAM (LPDDR): tens of GB/s
UFS Storage: around ~2 GB/s

→ Swap is much slower than real RAM.

3) Pros & Cons of RAM Plus

✔ Advantages

Keeps background apps from closing
Makes multitasking smoother
Ideal for productivity: large Excel sheets, many Chrome tabs, documents, messaging
Enhances large-screen usability (Fold or TriFold mode)

⚠️ Disadvantages

Much slower than physical RAM
Adds write cycles to storage (wear)
Reduces available internal storage
Does not increase FPS in games
Does not improve AI or heavy rendering performance

4) How to Enable & Configure RAM Plus on the Galaxy Z Fold

(General steps for all models; may vary slightly by One UI version)

Open Settings
Select Battery and device care
Tap Memory
Choose RAM Plus / Extend RAM
Select the additional capacity:

2 GB
4 GB
6 GB
8 GB

6. Restart if prompted

Tip: After major One UI updates, RAM Plus may appear only after a reboot.

5) How RAM Plus Affects Real-World Performance

A. Multitasking & Productivity

The biggest improvement
Apps stay alive longer
Multi-window becomes more stable

B. Gaming

Does not increase FPS
Does not reduce loading times
Only helps the game stay open when switching apps

C. AI & Heavy Computation

No significant effect
Performance still depends on CPU, GPU, and NPU

D. Storage Lifespan

Heavy swap usage increases write cycles
However, modern UFS + wear-leveling reduces risk

6) Best Practices to Optimize RAM Plus

Enable RAM Plus if you multitask often
Start with a modest size (4GB is enough for most users)
Avoid high values if your storage is nearly full
Keep One UI updated
Close unused heavy apps to reduce swap load

7) FAQ (Quick Answers)

❓ Can you upgrade physical RAM on Fold 1–Fold 6?

→ No. Physical RAM is soldered permanently.

❓ Does Fold 1 support RAM Plus?

→ No official support.

❓ Is RAM Plus safe?

→ Safe under normal use; main risk is additional storage write cycles.

❓ Does RAM Plus make games run faster?

→ No, it does not improve FPS.

❓ Does RAM Plus reduce available storage?

→ Yes, because it uses part of internal storage.

8) RAM Plus Support Summary Table

Model	Physical RAM	RAM Plus Support	Recommendation
Galaxy Z Fold 1	12GB	❌ No	N/A
Galaxy Z Fold 2	12GB	⚠️ Inconsistent	Check firmware updates
Galaxy Z Fold 3	12GB	✔ Yes	Enable for multitasking
Galaxy Z Fold 4	12–16GB	✔ Yes	Adjust based on usage needs
Galaxy Z Fold 5	12–16GB	✔ Yes	Recommended
Galaxy Z Fold 6	12–16GB	✔ Yes	Highly useful in tablet mode

9) Conclusion — Should You Use RAM Plus?

✔ Enable RAM Plus if:

You multitask heavily
You open multiple large apps
You use multi-window often
Productivity is your priority

✘ Not necessary if:

You mainly play heavy games
You rarely multitask
Your internal storage is nearly full

Fold 1 and Fold 2 have limited or no support.
Fold 3–Fold 6 benefit significantly from RAM Plus.

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