BlueStacks 5 beta brings Android emulation to ARM devices
The latest version of BlueStacks uses less RAM and supports ARM devices.
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What you need to know
BlueStacks is one of the most popular Android emulators available. The makers of the emulator recently announced BlueStacks 5 beta, which includes several improvements over BlueStacks 4 that came out in 2018. The app now uses 40 percent less RAM, has new features, and supports ARM devices like theSurface Pro X.
The latest version of BlueStacks is a complete rewrite of the app. The two main benefits of this rewrite are reduced RAM usage and support for ARM devices. It also has a 40 percent faster setup time and a library of over 2 million games.
“ARM devices have a big advantage over x86 devices for running Android Apps as they don’t need binary translation. Our support for ARM reflects the work we have been doing for the last three years,” says Sharad Agawarwal, chief architect for BlueStacks 5.
The emulator also has FPS lock and Long-flight features that make it better for longer play sessions. According to its developers, it should have more consistent FPS figures during gaming. It also has an Eco-mode that makes multitasking more efficient.
While there’s plenty of good news when it comes to BlueStacks 5,Android Authorityhighlights a major weakness. According to Android Authority, BlueStacks 5 still uses Android 7.1.2 Nougat, which came out in 2016.
Using a version of Android from four years ago could cause compatibility issues going forward. Four years is a long time in terms of Android app support, and some app developers may move away from Nougat soon if they haven’t already.
While thepress release announcing BlueStacks 5 betamentions ARM support, the emulator’s page only lists Intel and AMD processors as supported at this time. It seems that ARM support will be available in the future.
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This beta build of BlueStacks 5 uses less RAM and has improved performance over its predecessor.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
