Android phones and tablets must now have at least 32GB of internal storage, if they officially include the Google Play Store and other Google apps. That should reduce the number of budget devices that quickly run out of room for photos, videos, apps, games, and other data.
The latest version of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) agreement includes a requirement that devices running Android 15 must have at least 32GB of internal flash storage, according to Android Authority. At least 75% of the total storage size also has to be used for the data partition, which is where Android stores all user apps and files, alongside some preinstalled apps and system app data.
Importantly, this requirement applies to both new devices and devices updating to Android 15. There probably weren’t going to be many 16GB devices getting an update to Android 15 either way—many low-end phones and tablets stay on whatever major Android OS version they shipped with from the factory—but the new rule does officially close the door on that possibility. There’s still the chance that unofficial custom ROMs could be developed for those devices, though.
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Device manufacturers must meet Google’s GMS requirements to use Gmail, the Play Store, YouTube, Docs, Maps, and other popular Android apps and features. The Play Store is essentially required for all Android devices sold outside of China (where other app stores are dominant), so the GMS requirements affect most Android phones and tablets.
Even though there is a higher minimum requirement for storage space, Google is not enforcing a specific storage technology. Budget devices will probably continue using slower eMMC flash memory instead of UFS.
The Need for More Storage
Most flagship Android phones now ship with at least 128GB storage, including the Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, and ASUS ROG Phone 9. Even many mid-range and budget devices are sold with 128GB storage, like the Galaxy A35 and 2025 Moto G Stylus. However, devices with 64GB storage are still relatively common in the low-end segment, like the Galaxy A15 and Cricket Debut S3.
Android phones and tablets with less than 32GB storage are rare, partially thanks to the decreased manufacturing costs of flash memory over the past few years. Amazon still sells the Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets with 32GB storage, and the cheapest Fire 7 has only 16GB storage, but those devices don’t include the Play Store and aren’t subject to Google’s GMS requirements.
The GMS agreement is Google’s main method of creating a baseline acceptable experience in the Android ecosystem, and it’s true that 16GB storage just isn’t enough for most people in 2025. After the few gigabytes required for the Android operating system and downloading system updates, you don’t have much room left for apps, games, photos, videos, and other common data. Less storage also means less space for cache, so your device has to redownload data more often, which slows down performance. It makes sense that Google is asking manufacturers to move on from 16GB devices.
Importantly, the higher storage requirement only applies to devices with Android 15 with the Play Store. Most Android phones and tablets don’t have Android 15 yet, even though the code release was in September and Google devices were updated in October. The update for Samsung Galaxy devices is currently on hold.
Source: Android Authority
