RAM is working memory: it temporarily holds data used by open apps and browser tabs, and loses that data when power stops.
ROM traditionally described startup instructions stored without power, but modern flash can be rewritten.
Xiaomi’s Redmi 13 specifications use “ROM” for storage based on UFS or eMMC flash, illustrating why the terms do not always describe the hardware literally.
RAM is the temporary workspace
When you open an app or a tab in your browser, the data is moved from storage to RAM. If the device is turned off or the power goes out, the data in RAM is lost.
More RAM allows the device to keep more apps and tabs open or run more demanding games before having to use the slower storage.
Why ROM is not always "read-only"
In the first ROMs, the data was embedded in the chip during its manufacture. Later, memories appeared that could be programmed and erased. Flash memory, used in SSDs, mobile phones, memory cards and USBs, can also be rewritten.
For example, the chip on a computer's motherboard often called the "BIOS ROM" is actually flash memory. It can be rewritten when an update to the computer's basic software is installed.
In the Redmi 13 specifications, Xiaomi uses the word “ROM” for the phone’s storage. This is based on flash memory. Some sections containing the system software are locked and cannot be modified.
Why RAM prices matter
According to TrendForce, prices in conventional RAM supply agreements increased by 90% to 95% compared to the previous quarter in early 2026. The increase is attributed to strong demand from AI data centers, which are absorbing almost all supply.
In 2025, Micron announced that it would discontinue its consumer Crucial line to focus more on meeting demand from such data centers. The company discontinued the line in February 2026.
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