How much does Android 8 Oreo weigh: a complete analysis of the volume of the system on a smartphone

When it comes to the weight of the operating system Android 8 Oreo, Many users imagine not the physical mass of the device, but the amount of memory that the firmware occupies. This version of the OS, released in 2017, is still found on budget smartphones, tablets and even some smart devices. But exactly how many gigabytes are allocated Android 8 —and why can this figure vary greatly on different gadgets?

The fact is that the “weight” of the system depends on three key factors: device manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc. modify the standard firmware), resolution screen (Full HD requires more graphic resources) and pre-installed applications (the so-called "bloatware"). For example, “pure” Android 8 from Google weighs about 1.5–2 GB, while proprietary shells like EMUI or One UI can inflate this volume to 3–4 GB.

In this article we will not only reveal the exact numbers for popular models, but also show how to independently check the weight of the system, compare Android 8 with other versions (from KitKat to Android 14), and we will also give practical advice on freeing up memory. If your smartphone suddenly starts to slow down or gives a warning about lack of space, here you will find the answers.

What is included in the "weight" of Android 8: analysis of components

When you see in the settings that the system takes up, for example, 2.8 GB, this is not a monolithic block of data, but a combination of several key elements. Let's take a look at what this volume consists of:

• 📱 OS kernel (Linux Kernel): the basis of the system, responsible for interaction with hardware. The Android 8 kernel weighs about 300–500 MB.
• 🎨 Interface and graphical shell: it all depends on the manufacturer. Stock Android (from Google) takes up to 1 GB, and MIUI 9 or Samsung Experience - up to 1.5–2 GB.
• 📦 Pre-installed applications: browsers, calendars, Google services (Play Market, Gmail) and branded utilities (for example, HiCare from Huawei). Their total weight is from 500 MB to 1.2 GB.
• 🔄 Cache and temporary system files: after updates or resets, “tails” of volume can accumulate here up to 200–300 MB.
• 🔒 Protected partitions: data for encryption (DM-Verity), DRM keys and other service files (up to 100–150 MB).

It is interesting that some manufacturers artificially lower the specified “system weight” in the settings. For example, Xiaomi can only show the size of the OS itself, hiding the weight of pre-installed applications in the /vendor or /system_ext. To see the full picture, you will need access to recovery mode (Recovery Modeor special utilities like DiskUsage.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 8 and older, some system files can be stored in compressed form (format .lz4 or .dm). This reduces disk space but increases CPU load when decompressing. If your smartphone slows down when launching applications, this could be the culprit.

How much Android 8 weighs on popular devices: comparison table

We analyzed the data for 15+ smartphone models and derived average weights Android 8 Oreo depending from brand and shell. It is important to understand that the numbers may differ slightly even within the same line (for example, Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 and A7 2017 have different system volumes due to differences in screen resolution).

Manufacturer and model	Shell	Android weight 8 (GB)	Notes
Google Pixel 2	Stock Android	1.8–2.1	Minimalistic firmware without blockware
Samsung Galaxy S8	Samsung Experience 9.0	3.2–3.5	Includes Bixby, Samsung Pay and duplicate Google services
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5	MIUI 9 (Global)	2.7–3.0	Many pre-installed themes and utilities (Mi Video, Mi Music)
Huawei P20 Lite	EMUI 8.0	3.0–3.3	Includes Huawei AppGallery and branded widgets
Nokia 6 (2018)	Android One	2.0–2.2	Almost “pure” Android with minimal modifications

Please note: the table indicates total section weight /systemwhich includes the OS itself, the kernel, drivers and some pre-installed applications. However, some manufacturers (for example, Meizu or Oppo) place some of the software in the /datasection, which complicates an accurate calculation. For the most accurate assessment, we recommend using the application DiskInfo or SD Maid.

How to check the weight of Android 8 on your own smartphone

If you want to find out exactly how much space the system Android 8 occupies on your device, there are several methods - from simple to advanced. Let's start with the most accessible:

1. Through the phone settings:

   Go to Settings → Memory → System memory. Here you will see a memory distribution graph, where one of the segments will be labeled “System” or “Android”. Please note that some manufacturers hide detailed information - in this case, proceed to the next method.

2. Using applications DiskUsage:

   Download the utility from Google Play and give it superuser rights (if available root). It visualizes the occupied space by folders, including hidden system partitions. Look for folders /system, /vendor and /product.

3. Via ADB (for advanced users):

   Connect the phone to the PC, turn on USB debugging and run the command:

   adb shell df -h /system

   In the response, find the line with /dev/block/... —the partition size will be indicated there.

If you see that the partition /system occupies, for example, 2.5 GB, but the memory settings indicate only 1.8 GB, do not be surprised. This means that some of the system files are hidden in other partitions. (for example, /vendor for drivers or /odm to customize the telecom operator).

Android 8 vs other versions: how the weight of the OS has changed from 2014 to 2026

Since its release in Android 4.4 KitKat in 2013, the weight of the operating system has grown almost by 3 timesThis is due to the addition of new functions (for example, Project Treble V Android 8), improved security and integration of Google services. Let's compare how the system volume has changed by version:

• 📱 Android 4.4 KitKat (2013): 800 MB – 1.2 GB - minimalistic OS without unnecessary loads.
• 🍭 Android 5.0 Lollipop (2014): 1.2–1.8 GB — appearance Material Design and 64-bit support.
• 🍫 Android 6.0 Marshmallow (2015): 1.5–2.2 GB —runtime permissions added.
• ⭕ Android 8.0 Oreo (2017): 1.8–3.5 GB — Project Treble, background restrictions.
• 🍪 Android 10 (2019): 2.5–4 GB — dark theme, improved privacy.
• 🤖 Android 14 (2023): 3.5–5 GB+ — AI functions, expanded support for folding phones screens.

Interesting fact: Android 8 Oreo became the first version where Google officially introduced separation of system and vendor components (Project Treble). This made it possible to simplify updates, but at the same time increased the minimum weight of the firmware by 300–500 MB due to duplication of some libraries.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 8 and below, some system files can be stored in uncompressed form, which increases their physical volume on the disk. For example, a file in boot.img occupies about Oreo takes about 30–50 MB, while in Android 12+ it is compressed to 15–20 MB.

How to reduce the weight of Android 8: 5 working methods

If your smartphone constantly gives warnings about low memory, do not rush to buy a new gadget. In many cases, you can free Android 8 It constantly gives warnings about low memory, don’t rush to buy a new gadget. In many cases you can release 1–3 GB without loss of functionality. Here are proven methods:

1. Removing bloatware (pre-installed applications):

   Using ADB or applications like Debloater you can remove unnecessary services (for example Facebook, Netflix or duplicate browsers). Important: do not delete system components with names com.android.* - this will lead to the crash of the OS.

   adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sec.android.app.launcher

2. Transferring applications to an SD card:

   Q Android 8 this function does not work on all devices, but if your smartphone supports it Adoptable Storage, you can expand the memory using microSD. To do this, format the card as internal memory in the settings.

3. Clearing the cache and Dalvik-cache:

   Go to Settings → Memory → Cached Data and clear them. It is also useful to manually delete the contents of the folder. data-i="209">—tap 7 times) disable animations, background optimization and auto-update of applications. /data/dalvik-cache (required root).

4. Disabling unnecessary system components:

   In developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times) disable animations, background optimization and auto-update of applications.

5. Installing custom firmware:

   Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience weigh 30–50% less than standard ones, but require unlocking the bootloader and skills to work with TWRP.

Frequent memory problems on Android 8 and their solutions

Users Android 8 Oreo often encounter two types of problems related to the weight of the system: false memory full (when the OS shows occupied space, which is physically not there) and impossibility of updating due to lack of space. Let's look at both situations.

Problem 1: “Memory is full”, but there are not enough files

This is a typical file system error F2FS or EXT4that occurs when there is a sudden power outage or a failure during recording. Solutions:

• 🔄 Restart the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power off button). → "Reboot in Safe Mode").
• 🛠️ Check the file system via Recovery Mode (select Wipe → Repair File System).
• 📱 If the problem persists, reset the phone to factory settings (Wipe Data/Factory Reset).

Problem 2: There is not enough space for OTA updates

Over-the-air updates (OTA) require free space in 2–3 times the weight of the update itself. For example, to install an update weighing 1.2 GB you need 3–4 GB free memory. data-i="241">2–3 times the weight of the update itself

• 📲 Delete temporary update files in the folder /cache (required root or TWRP).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC and manually download the firmware via Odin (for Samsung) or Fastboot.
• 🗃️ Transfer media files to an SD card or cloud (Google Photo, Yandex Disk).

Why is there not enough memory again after a reset?

After a factory reset, the system restores some of the previously deleted applications and cache from backup copies. To avoid this, before resetting, disable backup in Settings → Google → Backup.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the weight of Android 8

Is it possible to reduce the weight of Android 8 without root access?

Yes, but the possibilities are limited You can:

• Disable unnecessary system applications via Settings → Applications (the "Disable" button).
• Clear the cache and data of pre-installed apps (for example, Google Play Music or Duo).
• Use light versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

Without root you will not be able to delete system APK files, but even these measures will help free up 500 MB–1 GB.

Why did the memory decrease after updating to Android 8?

This is a normal phenomenon. When updating, the system creates a backup copy of the old firmware in the folder /data/ota_package (weighing up to 1–1.5 GB), and also caches new files after successful installation:

1. Restart the phone.
2. Delete the folder /data/ota_package via the file manager with root or ADB.
3. Clear the cache in Settings → Memory → Cached data.

What is the minimum amount of memory needed for comfortable operation of Android 8?

For Android 8 Oreo recommended:

• 16 GB - minimum acceptable, but you will have to constantly clean the memory.
• 32 GB - optimal for most users (remains 5–7 GB for applications after installing the OS).
• 64 GB+ —ideal if you store a lot of media files or play heavy games.

Please note that on devices with 16 GB manufacturers often reserve up to 3–4 GB for system needs, leaving the user with only 12–13 GB.

Is it possible to transfer part of Android 8 to an SD card?

Partly - yes. There are two technologies: the memory card is formatted as internal storage. Suitable for applications, but not for system files (requires) - allows you to transfer APK files of applications to SD, but not system components. Android 8 There are two technologies:

1. Adoptable Storage — the memory card is formatted as internal storage. Suitable for applications, but not for system files.
2. Link2SD (requires root) - allows you to transfer APK files of applications to SD, but not system components.

Transferring the OS itself to an SD card is impossible - system files are always stored in the internal memory (/system, /vendor).

Why is the weight of Android 8 different on two identical phones?

The reasons may be as follows:

• 📦 Various firmware versions (for example MIUI 9.5 vs MIUI 9.2).
• 🌍 Regional differences (firmware for China may have fewer Google services).
• 📡 Security updates (each patch adds 10–50 MB to the weight of the system).
• 🔧 Operator customization (firmware from MegaFon or Beeline often contain additional applications).

To bring the phones to a common denominator, install the same custom firmware on both (for example, LineageOS 15.1).