The modern mobile market has undergone fundamental changes over the past decade, and the transition to 64-bit architecture has become one of the key stages in the evolution of mobile operating systems. If previously 32-bit applications and the system kernel were the standard for budget and mid-range devices, today support for 64-bit instructions is a mandatory requirement for running current versions of Android. This allows processors to more efficiently process large amounts of data and address significantly more RAM.
Many users are wondering which devices this technology is available on and how to distinguish a modern gadget from outdated models. The difference lies not only in the name of the operating system version, but also in the hardware installed inside the case. Starting with certain generations of chipsets, manufacturers began to massively introduce the ARMv8 and newer architecture, which opened the way for full operation of 64-bit Android. Understanding what kind of device you have in your hands is critically important when installing specific software, emulators, or when trying to optimize performance. In this article, we will analyze in detail the history of the transition, specific lists of supported models and methods for independently diagnosing the bitness of your smartphone without installing third-party software. 64-bit Android.
Understanding which device you have in your hands is critical when installing specific software, emulators, or trying to optimize performance. In this article, we will analyze in detail the history of the transition, specific lists of supported models, and methods for independently diagnosing the bit depth of your smartphone without installing third-party software.
The history of the transition to 64-bit architecture in Android
The era of 64-bit computing in the world of mobile devices officially began with the release of the processor Apple A7 in 2013, which forced competitors from the Android camp to accelerate the development of their own solutions. However, a massive transition occurred a little later, when Google released Android 5.0 Lollipop, which became the first version with full native support for 64-bit instructions. This allowed developers to create applications that take advantage of the new processors.
The first signs among Android smartphones were devices based on chipsets Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 i MediaTek Helio X10. These platforms laid the foundation for the future dominance of 64-bit code. It is important to note that the presence of a 64-bit processor did not guarantee the installation of a 64-bit version of the system “out of the box” on all devices of that period, since many manufacturers saved resources by leaving a 32-bit kernel for compatibility with old software.
⚠️ Attention: The presence of a 64-bit processor in a phone produced in 2014-2015 does not mean that it has a 64-bit version of Android installed. Manufacturers often blocked this feature at the firmware level.
By 2017, the situation had leveled off, and almost all flagship and mid-budget smartphones began to be shipped exclusively with a 64-bit system. Google has tightened the requirements for application developers on Google Play, obliging them to provide 64-bit versions of their products, which has finally buried the prospects for the development of the 32-bit ecosystem.
List of manufacturers and series with 64-bit support
Almost all modern smartphones released after 2016 run on 64-bit architecture. However, for complete clarity, it is worth considering the specific lines of companies that were the first to introduce this technology and support it to this day. The leader here is the company Samsung, starting with the Galaxy S6 and Note 5 series, which switched to Exynos and Snapdragon with 64-bit support.
The company Xiaomi and its sub-brands (Redmi, POCO) began a massive transition with the release of models on Snapdragon 600 and 800th series. Budget lines from MediaTek switched to 64 bits a little later, around the release of Helio P series chips. A similar situation was observed in Huawei i Honor, where the transition was synchronized with the release of their own Kirin processors.
- 📱 Samsung: All models of the Galaxy S series (starting from S6), Galaxy A (starting from A3 2016), Galaxy M and Note.
- 📱 Xiaomi / Redmi: Models based on Snapdragon 615, 650, 808, 810 and newer, as well as most devices on MediaTek Helio.
- 📱 OnePlus: Absolutely all models, starting with the very first OnePlus One, since they were initially positioned as flagships.
- 📱 Google Pixel: The entire line of Pixel and Nexus (starting with Nexus 6 and 9) has native 64-bit support.
The budget segment is worth mentioning separately. If you own a device released before 2016 with a MediaTek MT65xx series processor, then with a 99% probability it is a 32-bit system. For devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 210, 410, the situation is similar - these are the latest mass-produced 32-bit chips. Everything newer, including Snapdragon 430 and higher, is already 64-bit.
When buying a used smartphone, pay attention not to the Android version, but to the processor model. Android 10 can also be installed on 32-bit hardware, but it will not work correctly.
Technical differences between 32 and 64 bits in smartphones
The main technical difference lies in the amount of addressable RAM. A 32-bit architecture can theoretically address up to 4 GB of RAM, but in practice in Android much less is available for the needs of one application, usually about 3-3.5 GB. 64-bit system removes this limitation, allowing you to effectively use 6, 8, 12 and even 16 GB of RAM.
In addition, 64-bit processors have wider general purpose registers, which allows them to process large numbers and floating point data in fewer clock cycles. This directly affects performance in heavy games, when processing photos and videos. The architecture underlying modern chips also provides better energy efficiency when performing complex calculations. ARMv8-A, which is the basis of modern chips, also provides better energy efficiency when performing complex calculations.
Another important aspect is security. 64-bit versions of Android make more active use of memory protection features such as ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) and DEP (Data Execution Prevention) in a more strict mode. This makes it difficult for malware to operate and exploit vulnerabilities in the system.
⚠️ Attention: Installing 64-bit firmware on a device with a 32-bit processor is physically impossible. Attempts to modify the bootloader in this case will lead to the smartphone being “bricked.”
The user may notice a difference in the speed of multitasking. On 64-bit systems, switching between heavy applications is faster, since the system does not unload them from memory as aggressively as it does in a 32-bit environment with limited address space.
How to check the bitness of the processor and system
The most reliable way to find out the bitness of your device is to use specialized diagnostic utilities. Application CPU-Z or AIDA64 provide comprehensive information about the processor architecture. After installation, you need to go to the “System” or “SoC” tab and find the “Kernel Architecture” or “Instruction Sets” field.
If you see the values arm64-v8a or aarch64, it means your smartphone operates in 64-bit mode. If it is displayed armeabi-v7a, then you have a 32-bit system, even if the processor technically supports 64 bits. You can also use the built-in developer tools, although this method requires enabling USB debugging.
☑️ Checking the bit depth via AIDA64
For advanced users, there is a method of checking through the ADB console or terminal on the device itself (Root access or developer rights are required). The command getprop ro.product.cpu.abi will display the main set of instructions supported by the system. The table below shows the main designations.
| Value in the system | Bit capacity | Example of processors |
|---|---|---|
| arm64-v8a | 64 bit | Snapdragon 865, Exynos 2100, Kirin 9000 |
| armeabi-v7a | 32 bit | Snapdragon 410, MT6580, old Intel Atom |
| x86_64 | 64 bit (rarely) | Intel tablets (old ASUS, Lenovo) |
You can also check the list of supported instructions through the command cat /proc/cpuinfo. If the list of flags contains fp (floating point) and mention ASIMD, this is a sure sign of a 64-bit ARM core.
What to do if the CPU is 64-bit, and the system is 32-bit?
In this case, you are limited by the firmware capabilities from the manufacturer. Third-party custom ROMs such as LineageOS often bring 64-bit support to older devices, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader.
The impact of bit depth on performance and gaming
The transition to 64 bits has paved the way for more complex and visually rich mobile games. Engines like Unity and Unreal Engine are optimized specifically for 64-bit instructions, which allows you to calculate physics and illumination with greater accuracy. On 32-bit devices, many modern games either do not launch or run with critical crash errors.
Performance in encryption tasks and working with databases also increases. Video editing applications such as KineMaster or CapCut, work much faster on 64-bit systems, since they can use the entire available amount of RAM to cache the video stream.
⚠️ Attention: Some older applications written exclusively for 32-bit architecture may not work correctly or may not run at all on "pure" 64-bit versions of Android (Android 13+), where support for 32-bit libraries may be limited.
It is important to understand that just being 64 bits does not automatically make the phone fast. A budget 64-bit processor may be inferior to a top-end 32-bit processor (conditionally) in certain tasks, but in the long term, the performance and compatibility margin of a 64-bit architecture is disproportionately higher.
A 64-bit system is required for comfortable playing modern hits and working with heavy creative applications.
Compatibility issues and future prospects
Google is consistently moving towards a complete abandonment of 32-bit code in the Android ecosystem. Starting with Android 15, support for 32-bit apps on new devices may be removed completely. This means that owners of old phones will be unable to install updates to popular instant messengers and banking applications.
Developers are now required to publish “App Bundles” on Google Play containing code for all architectures, but priority is given arm64-v8a. If an app does not have a 64-bit version, it may be removed from the store or marked as incompatible with your device when you try to download it on a new smartphone.
- 🚀 Future: Full transition to 64-bit is expected within 2-3 years for the entire market, including the ultra-low-cost segment.
- 📉 Obsoletion: MediaTek and Qualcomm 32-bit processors are no longer produced for smartphones, they are used only in simple watches and IoT devices.
- 🛡️ Security: New data protection features will be implemented only for the 64-bit runtime.
Users who are planning to purchase a smartphone on the secondary market should strictly avoid models from 2015 and older if they want to stay current in the software field. Even if the phone turns on and works, its days as a full-fledged smart device are numbered due to architectural limitations.
Is it possible to flash a 64-bit system onto a 32-bit phone?
No, it is physically impossible. The processor architecture is hardwired in silicon. Trying to load a 64-bit kernel on a 32-bit CPU will result in an immediate failure at the initialization stage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can a 32-bit phone update to Android 10 or 11?
Technically it is possible if the manufacturer will release such firmware, and the processor is quite powerful. However, Google strongly recommends switching to 64 bits for new OS versions. Many 32-bit devices have settled on Android 7 or 8, since further optimization of the system for the old architecture is not economically feasible.
Does capacity affect battery life?
Directly - no. However, 64-bit processors are usually made using a thinner process technology (nm), which in itself is more energy efficient. In addition, performing tasks in 64 bits often requires fewer processor cycles, which allows the chip to return to sleep mode faster, indirectly saving power.
How to find the bit depth without installing apps?
Go to Settings → About phone → All specifications. Find the processor model (for example, Snapdragon 660) and enter its name into the search engine. The specifications on the chip manufacturer's website (Qualcomm, MediaTek) always indicate the supported architecture.
Do 32-bit applications run on 64-bit Android?
Yes, absolutely. The 64-bit Android system includes compatibility libraries that allow you to run older 32-bit software. You won’t even notice the difference in the interface, although in the background the system will emulate the required environment.
Why does the settings say ARM and not ARM64?
In some manufacturers’ shells (MIUI, OneUI) in the general “About phone” section, the ARM processor family may simply be indicated. To see the exact bit depth, you need to look at the detailed technical specifications or use the diagnostic utilities mentioned above.