Why Your Smartphone is Slow and Fast Storage TEST
Smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives, handling everything from communication and entertainment to work and productivity. However, over time, you may notice that your smartphone starts to slow down, making simple tasks frustratingly sluggish. One major reason for this slowdown is your device's storage performance. In this article, we will explore why your smartphone becomes slow and how you can test your storage speed to diagnose performance issues.
Why Your Smartphone is Slow
1. Limited Storage Space
One of the most common reasons for a slow smartphone is running low on storage space. When your internal storage is nearly full, your phone struggles to manage data efficiently, leading to slow performance. Apps require free space for caching, and when there's little room left, they cannot function optimally.
Solution: Regularly delete unnecessary files, photos, and unused apps. Moving data to cloud storage or an external SD card can also help free up internal memory.
2. Aging Hardware
Older smartphones tend to slow down over time due to aging hardware. Processors and RAM in older devices may not keep up with newer apps and updates that demand more resources.
Solution: If your device is too old and struggling with the latest software updates, consider upgrading to a new phone with better hardware.
3. Too Many Background Apps
Having multiple apps running in the background consumes RAM and CPU resources, making your phone slower.
Solution: Close background apps manually or use the built-in optimizer to free up memory. Consider disabling auto-start for non-essential apps.
4. Software Updates and Bloatware
While software updates can bring new features and security patches, they may also introduce performance issues, especially on older devices. Additionally, many smartphones come with pre-installed bloatware that consumes resources.
Solution: Regularly update your phone to optimize performance. If possible, uninstall or disable unnecessary pre-installed apps.
5. Overloaded Cache and Junk Files
Over time, apps accumulate cached data and junk files, which can slow down your phone.
Solution: Use built-in storage cleaning tools or third-party apps to clear cached data regularly.
6. Battery Health and Overheating
A degraded battery can also impact performance. Overheating can throttle your processor, making your phone slow.
Solution: Avoid extreme temperatures, remove heavy cases while charging, and replace the battery if necessary.
7. Slow or Failing Storage (eMMC vs. UFS)
Not all smartphone storage is created equal. Older devices use eMMC storage, which is significantly slower than the modern UFS (Universal Flash Storage). If your phone has slow storage, it can delay app launches, slow down data transfers, and increase loading times.
Solution: If storage speed is the problem, upgrading to a phone with UFS storage will significantly improve performance.
How to Perform a Fast Storage Test on Your Smartphone
If you suspect your phone's storage is causing slowdowns, you can test its speed using various methods. Here are some simple ways to check storage performance:
Method 1: Using AIDA64 (Recommended for All Users)
AIDA64 is a popular app that provides detailed information about your device's hardware, including storage performance.
Steps to test storage speed using AIDA64:
Download and install AIDA64 from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and navigate to the "Storage" section.
Check the read and write speeds under "Internal Storage." High read and write speeds indicate better performance.
Method 2: Using AndroBench (Advanced Users)
AndroBench is a benchmarking tool designed specifically to test storage speed.
Steps to use AndroBench:
Download and install AndroBench from the Play Store.
Open the app and select "Micro Benchmark."
Run tests for Sequential Read/Write and Random Read/Write speeds.
Compare your results with typical speeds for eMMC (100-300MB/s) and UFS (500-2000MB/s) storage.
Method 3: Using Disk Speed Test (For Simplicity)
Some smartphones have built-in storage speed tests. If your device manufacturer provides one, you can find it in the Developer Options or Device Care settings.
Steps to check storage speed natively:
Go to Settings > Device Care (or Maintenance).
Tap Storage and look for a speed test option.
Run the test to check read and write speeds.
Understanding Your Results
Sequential Read/Write Speeds: Measure how fast large files can be read/written. Higher speeds mean faster app loading and file transfers.
Random Read/Write Speeds: Measure how quickly small files can be read/written. This affects overall system responsiveness.
IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second): Determines how many operations your storage can handle at once. Higher IOPS means smoother multitasking.
How to Improve Storage Performance
If your storage speed test reveals poor performance, here are some ways to improve it:
1. Clear Cache Regularly
Clearing cache and junk files can free up storage and improve speed.
2. Use a High-Speed MicroSD Card (If Supported)
If your phone supports external storage, use a UHS-1 or UHS-3 microSD card for better read/write speeds.
3. Avoid Storing Large Files in Internal Memory
Keeping too many large files (e.g., videos, game data) in internal storage can slow down performance. Move them to an SD card or cloud storage.
4. Enable Storage Optimizations
Some phones have storage optimization settings under Settings > Battery & Performance. Enable these to improve performance.
5. Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If your phone is still slow after trying everything, a factory reset can restore performance by removing junk files and corrupted system data.
Conclusion
A slow smartphone can be frustrating, but understanding the reasons behind it can help you take the right steps to fix it. Storage speed plays a crucial role in overall performance, and testing it can provide valuable insights. By following the methods outlined above, you can diagnose storage-related issues and take action to improve your phone's speed. If your device consistently underperforms due to outdated storage technology, upgrading to a newer phone with UFS storage may be the best long-term solution.
