64GB or 256GB? when you have max cloud storage

[darthbane2k]

Hi guys

Need some advice concerning iPhone X options. I have all the price plans for my network in advance but am weighing up costs against options.

I had a 128GB iPhone 7 of which just over 70GB of storage was used. I also have 2TB of icloud storage.
I am real disappointed that Apple did not give us a 128GB option for iPhone X, but am resistant to shell out full whack for 256GB of storage that I know I will never use (I am also an Apple Music subscriber).

Do you think that 64GB would cut it for me, considering my cloud options. I would like a realistic recommendation.

Many thanks.

 

[Hermes Monster]

Depends what you used the 70GB for? Was it things you actually needed, or just kept on your phone because you could? If it's the latter, I'm sure you could survive with the smaller storage and iCloud

 

[darthbane2k]

Depends what you used the 70GB for? Was it things you actually needed, or just kept on your phone because you could? If it's the latter, I'm sure you could survive with the smaller storage and iCloud

Well 27.77 GB of that is on photos and camera, , 8GB on podcasts and 3.6GB on messages (isnt that moving to icloud anyway?) , the rest are small amounts on individual apps

 

[blaugrana69]

Well 27.77 GB of that is on photos and camera, , 8GB on podcasts and 3.6GB on messages (isnt that moving to icloud anyway?) , the rest are small amounts on individual apps

Do you need to have access to 28GB of photos on your phone, not the best platform for viewing them is it ?
Delete a significant proportion from your phone, they’ll still be available in iCloud, and you’d be ok with the 64GB X.

 

[darthbane2k]

Do you need to have access to 28GB of photos on your phone, not the best platform for viewing them is it ?
Delete a significant proportion from your phone, they’ll still be available in iCloud, and you’d be ok with the 64GB X.

Good point - thanks.
Can anyone clarify though that iMessages and their many attached media will all be moved to icloud soon? That would also save a chunk of space

 

[profets]

I’ve been using 128GB iPhones for the past few years, but for the past month I’ve been using a 64GB without issue. The majority of space was being used similar to yours - photos, messages and podcasts.

Photos you don’t even have to do anything as with less storage it’ll manage it automatically. And iMessage for iCloud / Sync will clean up those as well soon.

I’d go for 64 if you want to save some $.

 

[mdellepi]

I had a similar question. Now I have decided to go for the 256 GB iPhone X.

Now I have a 64GB iPhone 6. I love iCloud and, being completely in the Apple ecosystem, I use it for everything, but I'm liking the idea of having everything also available offline on the device. Photo Library is great and the "optimise storage" option works fine, but many times I'm stuck with the low res pictures because the connection is not available or simply the download of the full res pic is a bit broken. Similarly for Apple Music...with the 256GB I would also keep all my library downloaded on the phone so to have much more variety when not connected. I live in Germany and the mobile phone connection is quite crappy with respect to the rest of the "first world"...

Of course, I'm also using the reasoning "once I decide to spend more than €1000 for a smartphone, €170 more are not going to be so critical"

 

[MrGimper]

Cloud storage is a compromise for onboard storage, not a replacement. In order to use cloud storage you need access to it (connectivity) and throughput to minimise any delays. That's why I always buy the most onboard storage on my devices.

 

[Falhófnir]

Really think with the price they’re charging the X should have been in 128/256 options. Even if they had to raise the base price by $10 to do it. Why create a better-than-flagship phone and then skimp on storage for all the new features (esp. 4K@60 video).

 

[zhandri]

Really think with the price they’re charging the X should have been in 128/256 options. Even if they had to raise the base price by $10 to do it. Why create a better-than-flagship phone and then skimp on storage for all the new features (esp. 4K@60 video).

you are absolutely right! but here's the problem. most people would go with 128 cause they would think that that's plenty and apple would lose a lot of money cause less people are gonna buy the 256gb. the 64 is pretty much there to make the 256 more attractive

 

[AnthonyG6]

Good point - thanks.
Can anyone clarify though that iMessages and their many attached media will all be moved to icloud soon? That would also save a chunk of space

Don't delete the photos from iPhone because they will delete from the iCloud as well. Instead turn on iCloud Photo Library and also select 'Optimise iPhone Storage' in the options below that. This will reduce the amount of used storage on your iPhone and keep the high resolution pictures in the iCloud. Don't delete the photos, you will lose them.

Personally I always go for the highest available storage whether I need it or not.

 

[Beards]

Do you need to have access to 28GB of photos on your phone, not the best platform for viewing them is it ?
Delete a significant proportion from your phone, they’ll still be available in iCloud, and you’d be ok with the 64GB X.

I thought if you delete the photos on your phone you also delete them in iCloud. That's what happens with mine and I have 32GB of photos and videos.
Note my settings are to have optimised photos on the phone.

 

[DNichter]

I have a 256GB 7 Plus, but I have decided to no longer worry about storage and use the cloud space I pay for ($0.99 per month). Apple has set it up to where you really shouldn't have to think about this stuff any longer if you use the right services/settings. I use both iCloud Music and Photo Library and I turn all of the optimize storage settings on and that's it. I haven't once ran into an issue or didn't have access to something I wanted. I feel like people have this weird urge to have "everything" on their device, which is kind of silly considering you'll never use most of it. I get it if you have no data, but I personally don't have that issue. I keep a few playlists on my phone downloaded, apps, and messages. I think it's 20GB that I use. If you use the same set up, 64 is plenty.

 

[Givmeabrek]

Yes, if you delete photos on the phone they will also delete from iCloud. Might be best to move them from the phone to a computer. It requires some maintenance.

Edit: Videos you take do sync with iCloud

 

[DNichter]

Yes, if you delete photos on the phone they will also delete from iCloud. Might be best to move them from the phone to a computer. Also videos will not copy over to iCloud. You need to also move them to another device. So it's not automatic. It requires some maintenance.

All of my videos on my iPhone are in my iCloud.

 

[elfxmilhouse]

If you regularly have a reliable internet connection when/where you need the media then the lower storage is fine. I think people forget about this issue when they say everything can be streamed (Spotify, apple music, Netflix, etc..).

For people that frequently fly or commute in subways without internet it would be more of an issue to have everything streamed since they are most likely to use these services when there is no connection. Same goes for if you are spending a lot of time in a spotty cell reception area or in a place where wifi is slow.

You should also consider that streaming will drain your battery faster so thats another reason to have more local storage.

I always get the highest storage available since I like to keep as much of my stuff local on the phone. I also have the 2TB iCloud to sync and back up my stuff. I find myself needing to access my media when I don't have internet. like in the subway or on flights. Even if there is wifi its definitely not fast enough to stream some types of content.

 

[mdellepi]

Yes, if you delete photos on the phone they will also delete from iCloud. Might be best to move them from the phone to a computer. It requires some maintenance.

Edit: Videos you take do sync with iCloud

Why deleting them? With the "optimise storage" option, iCloud is doing the dirty work without human intervention.

 

[DDustiNN]

Well, consider that you usually spend $100 more for the size increase. So what’s an extra $50, for substantially more, when you’re already paying over $1,000? Not much of a difference, honestly. Plus you’ll never have to worry about it.

 

[mlpsponzischeme]

Well, consider that you usually spend $100 more for the size increase. So what’s an extra $50, for substantially more, when you’re already paying over $1,000? Not much of a difference, honestly. Plus you’ll never have to worry about it.

I agree with your logic unless you're purchasing it from Tmobile. JOD and EIP from Tmobile requires a down payment of $430. Nothing down for 64GB under JOD. So I would have to put $430 down to get the 256GB version which I can't justify. Really hoping I can make the 64GB version work for me. I'm going to try one of those SanDisk Ixpand drives for the rare occasions where I fill my phone with pictures and videos. I'm going to try one today to see how quickly photos and videos transfer. Should be interesting. I haven't had that little storage on an iPhone since I had the 5 or 5s so it's kind of scary to me.

 

[DNichter]

I agree with your logic unless you're purchasing it from Tmobile. JOD and EIP from Tmobile requires a down payment of $430. Nothing down for 64GB under JOD. So I would have to put $430 down to get the 256GB version which I can't justify. Really hoping I can make the 64GB version work for me. I'm going to try one of those SanDisk Ixpand drives for the rare occasions where I fill my phone with pictures and videos. I'm going to try one today to see how quickly photos and videos transfer. Should be interesting. I haven't had that little storage on an iPhone since I had the 5 or 5s so it's kind of scary to me.

Do you not have consistent access to a data plan?

 

[aneftp]

I usually by the mid tier (16/32/64). I would get the 32gb. 32/64/128. I would get the 64

When the original iPhone came out. 4/8gb. I went with the 8gb.

When the 16/32gb option was available I got the 32gb.

But for the iPhone X. I’m just gonna to save myself the $150 Apple tax on going from 64 to 256gb. We all know resale value u will never get that $150 price difference back.

Plus I sync my photos to google photos (obviously compressed high quality per google terms images) and do hard iTunes photo backup once every few months full resolution images.

Even with 89 apps installed. I still got 47gb storage left on my iPhone 8 plus 64gb model.

iMessage can be a huge storage hog along with photos. So I delete most of my iMessages as well.

I refuse to pay for iCloud backup extra storage. It’s annoying each update to iOS they reset my preference and keep re enable iCloud backup along with its stupid remind for me to buy more storage. What does Apple think I am?? Stupid to pay for iCloud backup when I can sync my phone to iTunes for free. Sadly lots of stupid people out there paying for iCloud backup and storage.

 

[haqsha23]

I'm probably not the right person to ask. I'm on a 16GB iphone 6+, and I have 10GB of storage left.. Once i stopped storing music on my iphone, I've never had a storage problem. I am a bit concerned about how much memory 4K 60fps video will take up, but i dont take that many pictures/videos anyways so i doubt it'll make a difference.

In your case I'd probably go for the 256GB to be honest. You'll have to consciously track your storage and constantly shift files left and right to the point where it'll likely be more of a headache than paying the extra $150. Also, while you won't see that $150 premium in resale value over the 64GB, it'll still be 50-100, so it really will only cost you $50-$100 for piece of mind and comfort.

 

[AnthonyG6]

I refuse to pay for iCloud backup extra storage. It’s annoying each update to iOS they reset my preference and keep re enable iCloud backup along with its stupid remind for me to buy more storage. What does Apple think I am?? Stupid to pay for iCloud backup when I can sync my phone to iTunes for free. Sadly lots of stupid people out there paying for iCloud backup and storage.

I pay for iCloud Storage not because I'm stupid but because it's convenient and easy. Also if something happens to my laptop I don't have to worry that I have lost all my backups. I do occasionally back up to iTunes on a laptop and an external hard-drive but that is maybe once a year? I don't mind paying for the convenience and peace of mind that iCloud gives me, it's priceless.

Then again I might just be stupid

 

[DDustiNN]

I pay for iCloud Storage not because I'm stupid but because it's convenient and easy. Also if something happens to my laptop I don't have to worry that I have lost all my backups. I do occasionally back up to iTunes on a laptop and an external hard-drive but that is maybe once a year? I don't mind paying for the convenience and peace of mind that iCloud gives me, it's priceless.

Then again I might just be stupid

Man, how stupid! That 99¢ each month must be breaking the bank! Automatic backups every night, with the simplest restore when moving to a new phone... ugh, how dumb. Who needs such convenience at that extreme cost?!

Anyway I can’t wait to pre-order my iPhone X!

 

[aneftp]

I pay for iCloud Storage not because I'm stupid but because it's convenient and easy. Also if something happens to my laptop I don't have to worry that I have lost all my backups. I do occasionally back up to iTunes on a laptop and an external hard-drive but that is maybe once a year? I don't mind paying for the convenience and peace of mind that iCloud gives me, it's priceless.

Then again I might just be stupid

Apple does it on purpose. Why else do they keep resetting my preferences to disable iCloud backup with each iOS mini update and force it back on. Changing someone preferences with a .01 iOS update is ridiculous and it’s done on purpose to annoy people to signing up and paying for more iCloud storage. It’s a money grub.

That’s the issue. Don’t reset people preference to disable iCloud backup.