Understanding the Difference Between ROM and Internal Storage in Smartphones

For those who frequently read articles or watch videos about smartphones, the terms "internal storage" and "ROM" are likely familiar. These two terms are often interpreted as the same thing: the storage function in smartphones. However, they have different characteristics and, in fact, are somewhat contradictory to each other. Therefore, the term "ROM" cannot be used interchangeably with "internal storage" or vice versa. So, what are the differences? Why are these two terms often confused?

ROM

As mentioned earlier, ROM has characteristics that are opposite to internal storage. ROM stands for Read-Only Memory, which means it can only be read and not modified. While the contents of internal storage can be easily modified by users, this is not the case with ROM. In computers, ROM contains essential instructions for the system to function, such as BIOS or motherboard programs. Due to its read-only nature, ROM cannot be normally modified, and updates to the firmware are required for any changes. In computers, ROM is usually a separate chip on the motherboard, but in smartphones, there is no dedicated chip for ROM. So, where is the firmware or operating system located on a smartphone? The firmware in smartphones is directly embedded into the internal storage, which will be further explained below.

This means that smartphones do not actually have ROM in the traditional sense. The term ROM used in smartphones refers to a separate partition within the internal storage that is protected by special access, commonly known as root access. Users can even modify this ROM partition if they have root access.

Internal Storage

On the other hand, internal storage can be considered as the true "storage." It can be modified, allowing users to freely add or remove content such as photos, music, applications, and more.

In smartphones, the internal storage is in the form of a separate chip from the SoC (System on a Chip) and is typically a flash memory, such as eMMC or UFS. This serves as the main storage for everyday user needs, and many smartphones offer expandable options like MicroSD cards. In simple terms, internal storage in smartphones is similar to HDD or SSD in computers or laptops.

Why are Internal Storage and ROM in Smartphones Often Confused?

This misunderstanding is primarily caused by smartphone manufacturers themselves. They often list the specifications on the packaging, where RAM is mentioned alongside ROM. For example, it might be written as "RAM/ROM: 8GB/128GB," indicating that the smartphone has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM. However, does the entire 128GB function as read-only, without the ability to write any other data? The answer is no; only a small portion of it is non-writable.

Therefore, the more appropriate term to be used on the packaging should be "internal storage" instead of ROM.

Whether it is for ease of reference due to the similarity between RAM and ROM or other reasons, using the term ROM as a replacement for internal storage is a misunderstanding.

In conclusion, it is important to understand the distinction between ROM and internal storage in smartphones. ROM refers to a read-only memory that cannot be easily modified, while internal storage allows users to add, remove, and modify data. Smartphone manufacturers should accurately label the storage specifications as "internal storage" to avoid confusion among users.

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