128GB? The Great Apple Storage Con(undrum)

[Deliro]

Not if 128gb was 100 more. That is what I was expecting IF it would have been an option....like the iPad 4...

But you would pay 100 more for a mere 16 more gigs? Apple's pricing on storage is annoying. To go from 16 to 32 should not cost 100 bucks. It should be 40-50.

That if why I never pick up or recommend 32 gigs because of how high of a margin you have to pay just for another 16. It's just a bad value.

I'm shocked that Apple offered the iPad 128 for 100 more from 64. With that said I'm sure 128 will be another carrot feature for the iPhone 6 and keep people in the upgrade cycle.

 

[CAWjr]

Yeah, I'm disappointed in the lack of a 128 GB option & it literally makes me hesitate to upgrade.

Now, before the storage haters & iCloud/iTunes Match folks jump on me, I like my storage. I have a 64GB 4S & it is always full . Between apps, pictures, video (that I shot, not movies) and a boat load of music, I am maxed out. And hardly any of my music comes from (GASP) iTunes. To give us a 128 GB option would have put me in the "camp out in front of the Apple Store" crowd.

 

[CEmajr]

75GB of Dropbox storage
iTunes Match
Unlimited data

Yeah 32GB will suit me fine again.

 

[Dulcimer]

Not if 128gb was 100 more. That is what I was expecting IF it would have been an option....like the iPad 4...

Possibly, but adding a $999 price tier for an iPhone probably isn't something they want to do. (Yes there is a $999 iPad, but that's different.)

And besides, wouldn't a $999 128 GB iPhone 5s still have lower profit margins as compared to the $899 64 GB?

 

[Icaras]

Apple invented iCloud just for you.

Unfortunately, iCloud doesn't save app data if that app is deleted from all of your iOS devices. This sucks for games because you lose your progress completely once they are deleted. And I am a big iOS gamer with quite a large collection so far.

So I try to keep a local copy of a game stored on either my iPhone 5 or iPad so that my game data is not forever erased. This is why I personally want 128GB of storage. I already have iTunes Match, so it's not for music. I already have Photostream, so it's not for photos. And I'm hoping one day Apple will allow iOS devices to stream your iTunes video purchases without downloading (ala iTunes 11) so video storage solutions should hopefully one day be addressed.

It's really about save data. Once Apple can find a way to permanently store user-chosen app data on iCloud, without having to have a local copy of the app installed on any of your iOS devices, then that will be the day when I can start to look at lower capacity storage options. But that day just isn't today.

So as much as I love using iCloud, it still doesn't do everything I want it to do just yet.

 

[Zcott]

Unfortunately, iCloud doesn't save app data if that app is deleted from all of your iOS devices. This sucks for games because you lose your progress completely once they are deleted. And I am a big iOS gamer with quite a large collection so far.

That's poor developing on the developer's part. Last night I erased both my iPad and iPhone, restored to the iOS 7 GM and didn't restore from an iCloud backup. After installing both Real Racing 3 and Plants Vs Zombies 2 I was able to pick up exactly where I left off - no going through settings to backup beforehand; all done automatically with iCloud and Game Centre.

The systems are there for game developers to use them - for free! - but if they don't want to use them, poor show.

 

[JaySoul]

Apple are ripping us off on extra storage, it's ridiculous.

 

[Icaras]

That's poor developing on the developer's part. Last night I erased both my iPad and iPhone, restored to the iOS 7 GM and didn't restore from an iCloud backup. After installing both Real Racing 3 and Plants Vs Zombies 2 I was able to pick up exactly where I left off - no going through settings to backup beforehand; all done automatically with iCloud and Game Centre.

The systems are there for game developers to use them - for free! - but if they don't want to use them, poor show.

Really? Because that's really great news. So how can we find out which apps actually save persistent game data to iCloud, even after deleting all local apps? Wouldn't that fall under Settings>iCloud>Manage Storage>Documents & Data? Because I don't see Real Racing 3 on my list.

 

[Zcott]

Really? Because that's really great news. So how can we find out which apps actually save persistent game data to iCloud, even after deleting all local apps? Wouldn't that fall under Settings>iCloud>Manage Storage>Documents & Data? Because I don't see Real Racing 3 on my list.

Any app that uses game centre should support cloud saves but don't quote me on that.

 

[Veinticinco]

You really need 128GB worth media in you pocket? Seriously?

You do realise that a "128GB" iPhone would have at most 110GBs or so of available space to begin with, right?

And that's before you throw in your apps and other data (NOT including photos), say another 10-20GB at a minimum.

Then remember that HD video runs to about 1GB for 10 mins' worth.

So your use of "seriously?" as an expression of incredulity doesn't really hold up.

My point was that Apple COULD have offered a 128GB iPhone 5S, they just chose not to so they can drip feed another "upgraded feature" for the next model in 12 months' time.

 

[joecartoon22]

i understand sticking up for apple and all since we are in a mac forum but... i totally disagree with folks thinking that icloud is the solution for less on board storage.

that is a ridiculous notion when apple is actively pushing taking photos, hd video, etc. i bet if i install the whole infinity blade series, it would take 5gb. plus some slo-mo videos and iworks would bring that to an easy 10gb used. that is without my own personal media. yes, i can use itunes match but when you want a song and you have bad service/no internet (planes, camping, basement) it is a much easier thing to have it already on your phone. then people will say, "how come you didn't load it before if you knew you were gonna use it". that is a ridiculous idea as well. do you guys have soundtracks all lined up ready to go before you go on a long flight? do i have to uninstall a bunch of games i want to use on my flight if i know that i will be taking a lot of pictures?

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

I can't understand why people on a technology forum so passionately argue against a capacity increase.

There are many technology / feature benefit reasons I've listed in other similar threads, but absolutely everyone should support this for one reason at least.

When Apple has increased the top end storage on the iPhone it has always (so far) cascaded the sizes down and kept roughly the same price points.

So EVERYBODY gets more for their money !!!

Isn't that a good thing?

 

[AppleMrHan]

My iPhone 4 has 8GB, never filled up even 25% of it, how do people fill up so much space?!

I always bought the smallest size storage, really do not get using higher storage capacity options. Do people store various movies on it or what?

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

. . . . Having large amounts of storage means I don't have to anticipate my desires for the day . . .

That is very well phrased . . . captures it perfectly !!!

 

[Veinticinco]

I can't understand why people on a technology forum so passionately argue against a capacity increase.

There are many technology / feature benefit reasons I've listed in other similar threads, but absolutely everyone should support this for one reason at least.

When Apple has increased the top end storage on the iPhone it has always (so far) cascaded the sizes down and kept roughly the same price points.

So EVERYBODY gets more for their money !!!

Isn't that a good thing?

Apparently not. It's bizarre. People will really defend the indefensible it seems.

 

[Jimmy James]

Mean-spirited and regressive? I thought the discussion on here made but fairly clear that 128GB NAND modules are still cost prohibitive. You may as well ask for 1TB.

 

[jordanogrady]

You do realise that a "128GB" iPhone would have at most 110GBs or so of available space to begin with, right?

And that's before you throw in your apps and other data (NOT including photos), say another 10-20GB at a minimum.

Then remember that HD video runs to about 1GB for 10 mins' worth.

So your use of "seriously?" as an expression of incredulity doesn't really hold up.

My point was that Apple COULD have offered a 128GB iPhone 5S, they just chose not to so they can drip feed another "upgraded feature" for the next model in 12 months' time.

So download and save more to your computer...

while it would have been nice, its not as need! more of a want.... delete some apps...

 

[Veinticinco]

Mean-spirited and regressive? I thought the discussion on here made but fairly clear that 128GB NAND modules are still cost prohibitive. You may as well ask for 1TB.

Cost-prohibitive for who? Apple just raised the price of the 5S (compared to the 5) over here by equivalent of $80.

 

[Tones2]

Remember that the iPod Classis had 160GB like 5 YEARS AGO!. Almost everyone now days have replaced there iPods with there phones to media playback, yet Apple still offers no phone or iPod Touch greater than 64 GB capacity. Unreal really. At least with most Samsung high end phones you get to swap micro-sd cards if you want to carry extra capacity - so if you get a 64GB phone (admitedly impossible to find in the USA) and a 64 GB card, not only do you have 128GB onboard at once (or maybe like 96GB in the USA), but also it's super easy to carry around an additional 64GB micro-sd to swap out, or actually even play through the micro-usb slot at the same time with a small USB adapter. You do not have any such option with the iPhone.

And for those who think there is no need for ANYBODY to ever have 160GB or more on their media device (which Steve Jobs himself apparantly believed we needed 5 years ago, even WITHOUT apps, significant videos and the O/S taking up much space), then well, ugh...I can't believe anyone still has to explain this. Maybe ask your mom while she's driving you to school.

 

[JohnGrey]

To me, it has little to do with media size, but has to do with the need to have 128GB of media at your fingertips at all times. Anytime you have your phone with you are you using all your photos? Watching all your movies? Listening to all you music?

To each his own. To me, I don't need all my media with me at all time.

I absolutely need 128GB, or the opportunity to have hot swappable expandable storage, as I have with my Z10. You seem to use your iPhone almost exclusively for communication and there's nothing wrong with that. But most forget that the original point of the iPhone was to combine the iPod with hardware to receive email and make phone calls. The intent was still to have it serve as a media consumption device.

I have well over 25,000 individual tracks, with very little repetition (alts, live versions, etc), and to have even a moderate portion of that available, plus room for contacts, photos, videos, a film or two, 2 - 3 email accounts, on top of apps and their associated data requires loads of storage, especially if you want any sort of room to grow over the 1 - 2 year lifespan of the device.

----------

And for those who think there is no need for ANYBODY to ever have 160GB or more on their media device (which Steve Jobs himself apparantly believed we needed 5 years ago, even WITHOUT apps and the O/S taking up much space), then well, ugh...

I think this might be the whole point. They might be afraid that a high-capacity iPhone would further cannibalize the iPod line. iPod still represents something like 70% of the music player market, and that kind of statistic is something that looks quite good in a QR. Plus, they probably hope that media hounds like myself and others will bite the bullet and shell out another $400 for a dedicated music device.

 

[617aircav]

The percentage of people that need a 128gb phone is so small. People barley by the 64gb as it is. The 16gb popularity shows that people most won't spend more for more storage. A $500 phone on contract does not have mass appeal.

 

[Tones2]

The percentage of people that need a 128gb phone is so small. People barley by the 64gb as it is. The 16gb popularity shows that people most won't spend more for more storage. A $500 phone on contract does not have mass appeal.

To no one ever bought a 160GB iPod (Classic) then. Jeez...

 

[617aircav]

So download and save more to your computer...

while it would have been nice, its not as need! more of a want.... delete some apps...

Yep. I have a 64gb phone but don't put all my music and movies on it. I put what I use only. The people that need more storage are few. most people buy 16gb.

 

[Tones2]

I think this might be the whole point. They might be afraid that a high-capacity iPhone would further cannibalize the iPod line. iPod still represents something like 70% of the music player market, and that kind of statistic is something that looks quite good in a QR. Plus, they probably hope that media hounds like myself and others will bite the bullet and shell out another $400 for a dedicated music device.

Not really. To defend Apple a bit here, I truly at THIS point think it's more about the availability of a reasonably priced nand flash 128GB single chip. They do exist but in very small quantities and at very high prices. And there is no way they fit two 64GB chips in that phone, unless of course they made the phone / screen size BIGGER. This is understandable and is the same reason you don't see any other phone with 128GB internal storage. However, I was contunially frustrated with the iPhone's lack of a micro-sd card slot for the last several generations, before I switched to the Note 2 that is. Of course, that would mean having a file system of some kind, which is devil talk.

Also, I don't undetand why they don't make a 128GB iPod TOUCH that clearly has 2 nash nand chip slots which could house 2 of the much more readilily available and much cheaper 64GB chips. That to me REALLY makes no sense.

 

[terzinator]

I was kinda hoping for the 128GB, but only because I assumed they'd bump the whole thing up and the 32GB model would have become the cheapest one.

I don't need 128GB, but you gotta admit, in this day and age, with HD Video and Hi-res photos and games and other large apps, 16GB is kinda skimpy. (I'm not a gamer, I don't take tons of vid at this point, I use iTunes match so I can get to my gobs of music from the cloud, and I bump up against my 4S's 16GB storage limit all the time.)