Android performance classes, what they are and what they are for

Android performance classes

With the launch of Android 12, Google introduced performance classes, a new parameter that quantitatively identifies the performance of an Android device based on a series of requirements and technical specifications.

The most advanced class is obviously the performance class 12, since the numbering goes hand in hand with the releases of the operating system. The manufacturer realme recently announced that its first flagship, the realme GT 2 Pro, has received certification for Class 12.

Performance classes: what are they?

Performance classes are a criterion introduced by Google within the new CDD (Compatibility Definition Document). The latter is a developer tool containing a series of automated tests and a set of compatibility rules that devices equipped with Google Play Services must respect.




The main feature of the performance classes, which helps to better understand what exactly they consist of, is the so-called forward-compatibility.



The graph shared by Google explains the difference between performance class and system update: device A updates without advancing a class, while device B (evidently with more advanced specifications) also meets the standards of subsequent performance classes.


However, it will be realistic, in the near future, to see lower-end smartphones and tablets maintain lower performance classes than the operating system they are upgraded to.

Performance classes, the criteria

Contrary to what one might think, the performance classes, at least in the case of Android 11 and 12, do not classify devices based on the capabilities of their processor.



The requirements that Google identifies for the performance classes they focus on media and memory and specifically concern:

Media Simultaneous codec sessions Codec startup latency Frame drop encoding quality Camera Resolution Late Start-up and shutter release Support for video stabilization HD photo shots Generic Memory Read-write capacity Display resolution Pixel density of the display Starting from this series of quantitative criteria, the CDD indicates, especially for Android developers, all the characteristics that a device must have to correspond to a certain performance class. The most significant, for Class 12 and 11, are respectively:

Class 12

At least 6GB of RAM Display with at least 400dpi and minimum resolution 1080p At least 120MB / s sequential write, 250MB / s sequential read, 10MB / s random write and 40MB / s random read Rear camera of 12MP or more capable of recording video in 4K at 30fps Front camera of at least 4MP capable of recording video in 1080p @ 30 FPS

Class 11

At least 6GB of RAM Display of at least 400dpi and minimum resolution 1080p At least 100MB / s of sequential write, 200MB / s of sequential read, 10MB / s of Random write and 25MB / s random read Rear camera of at least 12MP capable of recording video in 4K at 30fps Front camera of at least 4MP capable of recording video in 1080p at 30 FPS

What are the performance classes for?

As already mentioned at the beginning, the performance classes are a series of parameters designed for use by developers of Android applications, which is why this subdivision may seem confusing or redundant to the end user.

By running the Android Compatibility Test Suite, developers can check the performance class of a device: in this way they will be able to design diversified user experiences based on smartphone specifications by making use of a standard shared by all Android devices.



For example, if one mid-range or low-end smartphone does not meet the requirements of Class 12, an application can still maintain compatibility but disable heavier visual effects or certain advanced options.

The rule also applies vice versa: if a smartphone more performance responds to the highest performance class, developers can enable more advanced functions with the confidence that the device specifications will be able to i fully support them.

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