You’ve saved some money, maybe GH₵2,000, maybe GH₵5,000, and you want a phone that won’t disappoint you in six months. The problem is that every phone box shows numbers like “8+256”, and you’re not sure if you need them or if you’re paying for show. Let’s match the numbers to how you use your phone.
The Quick Answer
For most people in Ghana today:
- RAM: 6GB is the comfortable middle. 4GB is the minimum, and 8GB is plenty.
- Storage: 128GB is the sensible minimum. Choose 256GB if you shoot lots of video or run a business on your phone.
The right numbers depend on who you are, though. Here’s how we break it down for customers at Simcel Ventures.
Find Your Phone User Type
The basic user: calls, WhatsApp, MoMo and news
This could be your mum, a security man, or anyone who mainly calls, chats and sends money.
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB minimum, 128GB recommended
- Budget: around GH₵1,350 – 1,800
- Good options: Samsung Galaxy A06 (GH₵1,380), Infinix Smart 20 (4GB/128GB) (GH₵1,750), Samsung Galaxy A07 (4GB/128GB) (GH₵1,790)
The student
Lecture PDFs, Google Meet classes, TikTok, Snapchat, music, and hundreds of photos from SRC week.
- RAM: 4–6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Budget: around GH₵1,900 – 2,600
- Good options: Samsung Galaxy A16 (GH₵1,920, read our review), Samsung Galaxy A07 (6GB/128GB) (GH₵2,050), Tecno Spark 50 (8GB/256GB) (GH₵2,530)
Students on campus Wi-Fi tend to download a lot, so don’t go below 128GB.
The market trader or small business owner
You’re running WhatsApp Business, taking product photos, posting statuses, checking MoMo merchant payments and talking to suppliers, often all at once.
- RAM: 6–8GB
- Storage: 128–256GB
- Budget: around GH₵2,500 – 4,000
- Good options: Infinix Hot 70 (6GB/256GB) (GH₵2,900), Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (8GB/256GB) (GH₵3,140), Samsung Galaxy A26 5G (8GB/256GB) (GH₵3,800)
Your phone is your shop’s till, catalogue and customer service desk. A phone that freezes while a customer waits costs you sales. This is where spending a little more pays for itself.
The content creator or gamer
Shooting reels, editing on CapCut, playing Free Fire, eFootball or Call of Duty Mobile.
- RAM: 8GB or more
- Storage: 256GB or more
- Budget: around GH₵4,000 and above
- Good options: Tecno Camon 50 (GH₵3,980), Infinix Note Edge (8GB/256GB) (GH₵4,060), Samsung Galaxy A37 5G (GH₵4,950), Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (GH₵5,599)
A single 10-minute 4K video can take several gigabytes, and games like Call of Duty Mobile can grow past 10GB with updates.
How to Plan for the Next 2–3 Years
Most people keep a phone for at least two to three years, and apps only get bigger. A quick way to plan:
- Check Settings > Storage on your current phone.
- See how much you’re using now.
- Double it. That’s roughly what you’ll need over the next two years.
If you’re using 50GB today, a 64GB phone will be full within months. Go for 128GB.
Ghana-Specific Things to Think About
Dumsor and battery
More RAM doesn’t drain your battery much, but during dumsor, battery size and a good power bank matter as much as RAM. Most phones we sell now have 5,000mAh or more, and the Tecno Spark 50 has 7,000mAh. See our power bank buying guide for backup power.
Mobile data costs
If data is expensive for you, you’ll probably download things to watch offline rather than streaming. Offline downloads need storage, so budget for 128GB or more.
Memory card support
Many Samsung, Tecno and Infinix phones accept a microSD card. If you want to save money now, a 4GB/64GB phone plus a 128GB card is a practical combination. Just know that apps still need internal space. Some higher-end phones, like the Galaxy A57, don’t take a memory card at all, so buy enough storage upfront.
Don’t Be Fooled by “Extended RAM”
Some boxes say “8GB RAM” in big letters and “4GB + 4GB” in small print. The second number is extended or virtual RAM, borrowed from storage. The Tecno Pop 20, for example, has 4GB real RAM plus 4GB extended. It helps a little, but it’s slower than real RAM, so always ask for the physical RAM figure. We explain this in Do I Really Need 32GB of RAM or Is 16GB Enough?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4GB RAM enough for a phone in 2026?
For calls, WhatsApp and MoMo, yes. For heavy social media, multitasking or gaming, 6GB or more will feel much smoother.
Is 128GB storage enough?
For most users, yes. Heavy video recorders, gamers and business owners who store lots of product photos should consider 256GB.
What is the best RAM and storage combination for a student?
6GB RAM with 128GB storage is the sweet spot for most students, balancing price and performance.
Should I buy more storage or use cloud backup?
Both help, but cloud backup uses mobile data. In Ghana, buying enough storage upfront, or adding a memory card, is often cheaper over time than paying for data and cloud plans.
Let Us Help You Choose
At Simcel Ventures we’d rather sell you the right phone than the most expensive one. Tell us how you use your phone and your budget, and we’ll point you to the best match. Browse current stock in our online shop, pay with MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash or AT Money, and ask about Buy Now, Pay Later on selected phones. Still deciding between the two? Read Do I Need More RAM or More Storage?
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