128GB? The Great Apple Storage Con(undrum)

[Ubele]

I'm always baffled by the condescending question, "Why do you need 128 GB of storage in your phone [or any other feature that Apple doesn't offer]?" To those people, I ask: Why do you need to play computer-based games? Why do you need to watch video content on a portable device? Why do you need to listen to music on a portable device? Why do you need to play games, watch videos, or listen to music at all? Why do you even need a smart phone? None of these things are essential – they just make our lives more convenient and/or more fun. I personally have no interest whatsoever in gaming, but I'd never tell gamers that they're wasting their time and money. As for phones, if I look at it strictly from a basis of need, I could live with something like the basic Nokia cell phone I had in 2002, given that pay phones are almost extinct, and I need some sort of communication device.

I have a 32 GB iPhone 5, which is more than enough for me. I'd like to have all my music on my iPhone, though, because I don't always have access to the iCloud. For that, I'd need 128 GB of storage. So while I wouldn't buy a 64 GB iPhone, I would buy a 128 GB iPhone. I accept that Apple won't offer one unless it's profitable for them – but people expressing their desire for certain features on forums such as this is one way for Apple to find out how much demand there is for something.

 

[617aircav]

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

No they are not. You know up front what you are paying, and choose to pay for it. There is no deception on apples part.

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I'm always baffled by the condescending question, "Why do you need 128 GB of storage in your phone [or any other feature that Apple doesn't offer]?" To those people, I ask: Why do you need to play computer-based games? Why do you need to watch video content on a portable device? Why do you need to listen to music on a portable device? Why do you need to play games, watch videos, or listen to music at all? Why do you even need a smart phone? None of these things are essential – they just make our lives more convenient and/or more fun. I personally have no interest whatsoever in gaming, but I'd never tell gamers that they're wasting their time and money. As for phones, if I look at it strictly from a basis of need, I could live with something like the basic Nokia cell phone I had in 2002, given that pay phones are almost extinct, and I need some sort of communication device.

I have a 32 GB iPhone 5, which is more than enough for me. I'd like to have all my music on my iPhone, though, because I don't always have access to the iCloud. For that, I'd need 128 GB of storage. So while I wouldn't buy a 64 GB iPhone, I would buy a 128 GB iPhone. I accept that Apple won't offer one unless it's profitable for them – but people expressing their desire for certain features on forums such as this is one way for Apple to find out how much demand there is for something.

My opinion is there is not enough demand. I'm sure apple looks at the sales of the 64gb and it's not that great.

 

[Jimmy James]

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

Cost prohibitive to the end consumer if these modules cost hundreds of dollars. Or, if they are not able to be produced in adequate quantities.

 

[B.Boston]

True, but you have to provide the extra storage. Samsung doesn't make a phone with 128GB of internal storage.

Yeah, but Samsung ALLOWS you to add additional storage via and micro SD card. Apple does not. (Which is really my only complaint about the iPhone.)

PS: Don't hate, I'm not a Samsung Fanboy lurking around the apple threads, just thought that point needed to be made.

 

[PDFierro]

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?

You must not use your iPhone for anything. People download apps, store things, play games, take pictures, etc. These people aren't "filling up so much space", but rather just installing the stuff they need. Most people can get by with 16 or 32, but 8 really offers no breathing room.

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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.

Keep in mind that iPhones and Macs use SSDs/flash drives now. It's changing the way we think about storage. I'd much rather have that then a hard drive in a phone.

 

[Loge]

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.

Hopefully, that may come in a few weeks, assuming they update the Touch. After all, the Touch got a 64GB model two years before the iPhone.

 

[iPadPublisher]

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

Some of us would like the option. I work in the entertainment business, and often load up whole catalogs of music at-a-time. It'd be nice to haul around more than I do, but am forced to remove one before loading the other in order to keep from having space problems. I also find myself deleting pics sometimes to make sure I'm not spilling over at the seams. Do I *need* 128GB, not really... but it would make things a lot easier on me, and cause a few less Sync jobs to add/remove music libraries during the course of the year.

 

[alent1234]

Yeah, but Samsung ALLOWS you to add additional storage via and micro SD card. Apple does not. (Which is really my only complaint about the iPhone.)

PS: Don't hate, I'm not a Samsung Fanboy lurking around the apple threads, just thought that point needed to be made.

and not all apps allow you to have data on there

 

[617aircav]

People want apple to make a product most people wont buy. Apple is not stupid.

 

[rdrr]

Get a iPod Classic

 

[jordanogrady]

Some of us would like the option. I work in the entertainment business, and often load up whole catalogs of music at-a-time. It'd be nice to haul around more than I do, but am forced to remove one before loading the other in order to keep from having space problems. I also find myself deleting pics sometimes to make sure I'm not spilling over at the seams. Do I *need* 128GB, not really... but it would make things a lot easier on me, and cause a few less Sync jobs to add/remove music libraries during the course of the year.

Are you a DJ?

 

[Tones2]

Get a iPod Classic

Great. Then I can carry two things in my pocket.

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People want apple to make a product most people wont buy. Apple is not stupid.

But many many will AND pay the premium it cost Apple to make it. They would still profit. And I'm talking eventually - 128GB nand chips are still too limited and expensive right now.

 

[jordanogrady]

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.

I can totally understand getting more storage, but for people that store the entire music library on the phone at one time, there just isnt a need... not that I see anyhow! Unless your going away for months... If you have access to your computer on a day to day basis then i really dont think there is a need.
Or if its a massive issue that you need music, try plex media server, you can stream all your media from your home computer.
There are other ways!

When i 1st moved over to apple, i was quite annoyed that you cant just plug your own memory card in, and expand the storage, while it would be a great idea, its another idea that just isnt going to happen!

 

[MEJHarrison]

I can totally understand getting more storage, but for people that store the entire music library on the phone at one time, there just isnt a need... not that I see anyhow! Unless your going away for months... If you have access to your computer on a day to day basis then i really dont think there is a need.

I have a 64GB phone and just yesterday I was at 0 bytes free. Yes, I do include my entire music library (~32GB) on it. Do I need that? Of course not. But I remember with my past phones, I would put my favorite music on there and then hear a song which put me in the mood for another song and of course it wouldn't be on my phone.

It's not about need. It's about convenience. It's really nice having every single song in your library available instantly. That will probably make little sense to some people, but that's how I work.

I'm also planning to get an iPad this fall. And I plan to get the biggest I can there too. My goal is to have all my photos on that (and music if it fits). I currently have all that on my PC. And a backup drive. But it would be nice to have an additional backup as well as simply having all that media readily available. It's a lot easier to whip out an iPad to show off some photos than it is a PC. That's actually about a weekly occurrence at my house. Someone asks if I took a photo of something and I say sure, but it's on the PC. No one EVER wants to get up and walk into the other room. If I had it on my iPad, it could very easily bring up the photo in moments.

I get that it's just too much for some people. I was talking to a friend last night who has a 16GB 4s. In the year she's had it, she's not even filled 1/3 of it. Different people have different needs. Just because 8GB would be adequate for her needs doesn't mean it would meet mine. And if she had my phone, it would just be a waste.

 

[617aircav]

Great. Then I can carry two things in my pocket.

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But many many will AND pay the premium it cost Apple to make it. They would still profit. And I'm talking eventually - 128GB nand chips are still too limited and expensive right now.

apparently not enough to warrant apple making it. The 64gb dont even sell that well. Plus it would mean apple providing 64gb for just $100. Why would they do that, or would you be willing to pay $1050 for a phone?

 

[AppleMrHan]

You must not use your iPhone for anything. People download apps, store things, play games, take pictures, etc. These people aren't "filling up so much space", but rather just installing the stuff they need. Most people can get by with 16 or 32, but 8 really offers no breathing room.

The funny thing is, I do download apps, they are low capacity, <10mb, I use iCal a lot, Mail, take pictures, I do not know, I must be doing something different. I sync my iPhone with my Macbook and store all pictures there, not on iPhone. Not sure why would I keep them all on iPhone. Anyways, I always got by with minimum, as I delete anything extra.

 

[Tones2]

apparently not enough to warrant apple making it. The 64gb dont even sell that well. Plus it would mean apple providing 64gb for just $100. Why would they do that, or would you be willing to pay $1050 for a phone?

Thanks for restating my point.

 

[jordanogrady]

I have a 64GB phone and just yesterday I was at 0 bytes free. Yes, I do include my entire music library (~32GB) on it. Do I need that? Of course not. But I remember with my past phones, I would put my favorite music on there and then hear a song which put me in the mood for another song and of course it wouldn't be on my phone.

It's not about need. It's about convenience. It's really nice having every single song in your library available instantly. That will probably make little sense to some people, but that's how I work.

I'm also planning to get an iPad this fall. And I plan to get the biggest I can there too. My goal is to have all my photos on that (and music if it fits). I currently have all that on my PC. And a backup drive. But it would be nice to have an additional backup as well as simply having all that media readily available. It's a lot easier to whip out an iPad to show off some photos than it is a PC. That's actually about a weekly occurrence at my house. Someone asks if I took a photo of something and I say sure, but it's on the PC. No one EVER wants to get up and walk into the other room. If I had it on my iPad, it could very easily bring up the photo in moments.

I get that it's just too much for some people. I was talking to a friend last night who has a 16GB 4s. In the year she's had it, she's not even filled 1/3 of it. Different people have different needs. Just because 8GB would be adequate for her needs doesn't mean it would meet mine. And if she had my phone, it would just be a waste.

Yeah I get that, and i would without doubt buy a 128GB version, id fill it too, with all sorts of stuff, apps, movies and music, but I wouldnt need access to it all, most of the time.

Have you tried some of the music streaming apps? It sounds like you need something like that.
Plex media server will stream all your content from home to your device!
Also maybe something like spotify that has a massive catalogue of music you can listen to instantly!

My point is, there are other ways round keeping all your music and movies and be able to access them.

Dont get me wrong tho i would buy the 128GB in a shot!

 

[ucfgrad93]

Yeah, but Samsung ALLOWS you to add additional storage via and micro SD card. Apple does not. (Which is really my only complaint about the iPhone.)

PS: Don't hate, I'm not a Samsung Fanboy lurking around the apple threads, just thought that point needed to be made.

No hate at all. Get what works best for you.

 

[terzinator]

I would put my favorite music on there and then hear a song which put me in the mood for another song and of course it wouldn't be on my phone.

It's not about need. It's about convenience. It's really nice having every single song in your library available instantly. That will probably make little sense to some people, but that's how I work.

iTunes Match. Seriously. It works. And it's $2 a month, which is a lot less than the extra $100 (or $200) you're paying for the extra GBs.

Not saying you don't need the storage on your phone, but just trying to put it into context.

(Oh, yeah, I know, the data costs something, but I have NEVER run up against my data limit streaming music.)

 

[panzer06]

Well 128 GB would cost more, thus reducing their profit margins. I guess by not adding the 128 GB option, they offset any cost increase associated with the new camera system, processor, sapphire home button, and Touch ID tech.

Not really, they would just charge more like they do on the iPad. Also with Apple never allowing MicroSD expansion, we rely on Apple alone to provide additional storage options.

Cheers,

 

[terzinator]

Not really, they would just charge more like they do on the iPad. Also with Apple never allowing MicroSD expansion, we rely on Apple alone to provide additional storage options.

Cheers,

I didn't think they'd just ADD a 128. I would have assumed they'd make 32GB the lowest and just make 128 the top number.

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to 11.

 

[panzer06]

I didn't think they'd just ADD a 128. I would have assumed they'd make 32GB the lowest and just make 128 the top number.

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to 11.

How long have you known Apple? Anything to make more money selling over-priced coolness is their mission statement.

Cheers,

 

[terzinator]

How long have you known Apple? Anything to make more money selling over-priced coolness is their mission statement.

Cheers,

Huh? Subjective opinions aside, wasn't 8GB the lowest a while back? Now 16GB is the lowest. Eventually 32GB will be the lowest, no?

Storage gets cheaper by the minute. I really wonder how much they are saving by keeping 16GB as the lowest. (I think, too, that people's negative impressions of this release would have been tempered a bit just by putting the entry-level 5S at 32GB.)

 

[FlatlinerG]

So for those of you suggesting avoid the clutter and be wise, is the 32GB enough or do you have the 64?

I have a 16GB iPhone 5. I'm with the population that thinks increasing the storage size to >64GB is unnecessary. I had a 16GB iPhone 3GS, a 16GB 4S, and a 16GB 5 and I've never had any issues managing my storage.

I mean, how many apps on your phone are THAT essential that they need to stay. I can guarantee that everyone on here has apps on their iPhone that they've downloaded and barely touched since.

I just fail to see the argument for the need of a larger capacity. Email isn't typically stored client side anymore, contacts/calendars/notes/etc can all be stored in iCloud, the odd movie or two can be put on even a 16GB iPhone without issue and that includes a couple thousand songs if you do happen to use your iPhone for music (and even that is moving towards iTunes Radio type listening).

What else have I missed, photos? Heck, I have around 4000 photos on my iPhone and still have plenty of storage. Many of those photos can be deleted without issue too.