Apple Ditches 64GB Storage: A Long-Awaited Move to 128GB as Standard

Apple Phases Out 64GB Storage Options for iPhones and iPads

For eight years, from 2017 to 2025, Apple has offered 64GB as the base storage capacity for its iPhones, starting with the iPhone X. However, with the launch of the latest iPad Air and the iPhone 16e, Apple has officially dropped the 64GB option across all its devices. Now, all iPhones and iPads start at 128GB, except for the iPad Pro, which starts at 256GB.

Historical Context

• 2017: The iPhone X introduced 64GB as the base storage capacity, alongside features like Face ID and an edge-to-edge screen. At the time, the 5th-generation iPad started with 32GB, while the iPad Pro began at 64GB.
• Initial Reception: There were no widespread complaints about the 64GB capacity initially, but as users took more photos and videos, and iOS required more storage for updates, 64GB became increasingly inadequate.

Challenges with 64GB Storage

• iOS Features: Apple introduced features like automatic app offloading in iOS 11 to help manage storage, but this often led to frustration when users needed apps re-downloaded in areas with poor internet connectivity.
• Storage Requirements: The introduction of Apple Intelligence, which requires 7GB of storage space, and the growing size of iOS itself have further strained the 64GB capacity.

Reasons for Change

• Economic Factors: Larger capacities are becoming more common, and it may no longer be economically viable for Apple to produce devices with 64GB storage.
• User Experience: By increasing the base storage to 128GB, Apple aims to improve user experience and ensure that features like Apple Intelligence can run smoothly on all devices.

Impact on Users

• iCloud Storage: While the increase in device storage is welcome, users still face limitations with iCloud's free 5GB offering. Apple has not increased this amount since its introduction 14 years ago.

This change marks a significant shift in Apple's approach to storage capacity, reflecting both technological advancements and evolving user needs.