Gemini Intelligence Demands 12GB RAM, Excluding Most Two-Year-Old Flagships

Only the newest flagship smartphones will support Google’s Gemini Intelligence, the upcoming AI platform for Android, due to stringent hardware requirements. Devices must have at least 12GB of RAM, a cutting-edge processor, and support for Gemini Nano version 3, among other features. This excludes many high-end phones released just two years ago.

Strict Hardware Criteria Limit Compatibility

Google has outlined the full hardware prerequisites for Gemini Intelligence, which include spatial audio, HDR support, and a commitment to at least five Android OS updates alongside six years of security patches. Phones currently meeting all these criteria include the Pixel 10 series, Samsung Galaxy S26, OnePlus 15 and 15R, Motorola Signature, and select Chinese models such as the Honor Magic 8 Pro, Oppo Find X9, and vivo X200 and X300 lines.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, launching in July 2026, will come with Gemini Intelligence already installed, marking the Fold 8 as the first device to offer the feature out of the box.

Notable Flagships Left Behind

Several recent flagship models fail to qualify, including the Pixel 9 series and Galaxy Z Fold 7. The primary issue is their lack of support for Gemini Nano v3, as they only support the earlier v2 version. RAM and processing power are not the limiting factors in these cases. There is currently no confirmed plan to retrofit Gemini Nano v3 support onto older hardware.

Capabilities of Gemini Intelligence

Gemini Intelligence aims to streamline complex, multi-step tasks on Android devices with minimal user input. It can interpret on-screen content, interact across multiple apps, auto-fill forms using data from Gmail and Google Photos, and execute sequences of actions automatically. For instance, users can send a photo of a shopping list and have the system add the items directly to an online retailer’s basket.

The platform also includes a widget creation tool called Create My Widget, which allows users to generate custom home-screen widgets from simple text prompts, such as requesting a high-protein recipe reminder three times a week. Its agentic capabilities enable chaining actions across apps without requiring manual switching.

Upgrade Costs and Regulatory Challenges

In the UK market, the Galaxy S26 starts at £799, maintaining the price level of its predecessor, the S25, while the Pixel 10 is expected to be priced lower. Owners of excluded devices like the Pixel 9 or Z Fold 7 face significant costs if they want to access Gemini Intelligence features.

Complicating the rollout is the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which is expected to reach a binding decision by July 2026. This regulation may require Google to provide rival AI assistants, such as ChatGPT and Claude, with the same hardware access as Gemini Intelligence. The outcome could influence which AI assistant becomes the default on future Android phones.