The RAM footprint is even more dramatic. On a low-end device (e.g., 1GB RAM), modern YouTube will crash the moment you open the comments section. Version 5.9.0.13 uses approximately 45 MB of RAM idle and peaks at 120 MB during 720p playback.

Regarding its performance with "long content" in the current era: Service Compatibility

As of late 2024,, later versions (such as version 20.01.33) require Android 9.0 or higher. To make sure I'm giving you the right info, Knowing the device helps narrow down exactly what changed. YouTube's New Changes Are Huge