Apple Cut Base iPhone 16 Storage Options to Just 128GB

[MacRumors]

Following the debut of the iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, Apple quietly updated its iPhone 16 lineup so that the standard iPhone 16 is now sold only in a 128GB configuration for $699. The previous storage tiers of 256GB and 512GB for the base iPhone 16 have been discontinued.

The iPhone 16 Plus retains slightly more flexibility by remaining available in both 128GB and 256GB versions, although its 512GB tier has also been removed.

The change makes sense for Apple's marketing strategy. Given that all iPhone 17 models now start at 256GB, maintaining a 256GB iPhone 16 tier would have created product overlap and potentially impacted sales of the newer model.

It also streamlines Apple's manufacturing and inventory management, and will likely encourage customers who need more storage to either choose the iPhone 16 Plus or upgrade directly to the iPhone 17 lineup.

Apple opens pre-orders for iPhone 17 models, including the ultra-thin iPhone Air, on Friday, September 12, with availability starting Friday, September 19.

Article Link: Apple Cut Base iPhone 16 Storage Options to Just 128GB

 

[cibonak]

Who would buy ip16?

 

[kerr]

Dodgy fockers

 

[Loismustdie1]

Who would buy ip16?

Someone on a budget who wants a new iPhone?

 

[firewire9000]

Warehouse workers know that’s a godsend.

 

[winxmac]

Either MacRumors did not bother to check the updated Apple iPhone page on the day of the iPhone 17 announcement or this article was intentionally published at a later time.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus with 128GB not really worth it even when the price was lowered. Either get the iPhone 16 Plus 256GB or iPhone 17 256GB

 

[iSayuSay]

Someone on a budget who wants a new iPhone?

$700 for a phone with 60Hz display and 128GB of storage isn't exactly budget, nor a smart buy. Just get a 17.

 

[Kaiserschmarrn]

Someone on a budget who wants a new iPhone?

If you can't justify the 100 dollars to go to a iPhone 17 you shouldn't be buying an iPhone in the first place (or buy the 16e).

 

[MayaUser]

Apple.....for $100 more you get double the storage and a superior phone...
Apple should erase this joke priced phone

 

[Ctrlos]

Who would buy ip16?

Personally I think it makes the 16e look like a terrible deal now. For only $100 extra you get:

- Dynamic Island/Newer Design
- Bigger Camera Sensor
- Ultrawide Lens w/Macro Capabilities
- Camera Control
- Displayport
- Magsafe
- UWB
- Brighter 2000nits display

Thats quite a bit extra. Now someone will say for another $100 you can get the 17 which has better battery life and ProMotion. But speaking as a 16 owner, the battery is already pretty damned good as it is and VRR is a nice-to-have.

Barring discounts and deals that make the price gap wider, in nearly all cases someone would be better off paying a little bit more and buying the 16.

 

[System603]

Apple's famous price ladder at work 😄

The 16e is a bad deal with the 16 so close and so much better…
But the 16 is a bad deal with the 17 being so close and so much better…

 

[MRSugarD]

The 17 is a much better deal than the 16. ProMotion, more storage, better (and bigger) display, camera, battery, SOC etc.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Apple.....for $100 more you get double the storage and a superior phone...
Apple should erase this joke priced phone

They shouldn't remove this option. This is how pricing works. You need a "bad" offer to make what they really want you to buy to look like "a good deal".

Resturants do they too. They will overprice a large glass of wine at $13 or have a $500 bottle option that they don't expect anyone to buy. all so that the $20 bottle can look like good value.

 

[nymphe]

I think this price structure doesn't make sense in USA, but probably in other countries with additional taxes a lot. Also 16 plus is the cheapest option for big screen even though 17 has better features. My mother is considering 16 plus. 17 pro max would be next option, which doesn't make sense pricewise.

 

[2low_tech]

Folks

Who would buy ip16?

Folks Who get a great carrier deal and don't care about having the latest and greatest.

 

[Gengar]

Well, it makes no sense to offer a 256 GB iPhone 16 for $799 when the iPhone 17 starts at $799 with 256 GB of storage.

 

[Plerf]

Correct me if I wrong, but it typical for Apple to leave the previous model with limited configuration at the base of the product lineup, yeah? (Well, now also including the e-model.)

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

$700 for a phone with 60Hz display and 128GB of storage isn't exactly budget, nor a smart buy. Just get a 17.

iPhone 17 is €979 here, $1,144 equivalent.

 

[mblm85]

Apple don’t miss a trick!

 

[sdm1985]

No 17e next spring and just an iPhone 17 mini?

 

[Yimbaz]

The change makes sense for Apple's marketing strategy. Given that all iPhone 17 models now start at 256GB, maintaining a 256GB iPhone 16 tier would have created product overlap and potentially impacted sales of the newer model.

You've got this backwards. They didn't remove it to trick people into buying the higher-end model, they removed it because it would have been a ripoff to sell. A 256GB 16 would be the exact same price as the entry level 256GB 17.

If anything the margins are higher on the old product, so they're protecting their customers from making a bad decision even though it's making them less money to do so.

 

[Radeon85]

They could have dropped the 128GB and 512GB, and just kept the base 256GB version at the 128GB price, so at least the capacity is in line with the rest.

 

[DaveMcM76]

iPhone 17 is €979 here, $1,144 equivalent.

Remember that US list prices won't include sales tax whereas EU list prices will include VAT so it's not as simple as a straight currency conversion comparison...

 

[Adam-Jobs]

A phone for the less tech savvy who will be conned into buying this. This model I suspect will line Apples pockets nicely $$$.

 

[UltimaKilo]

Correct me if I wrong, but it typical for Apple to leave the previous model with limited configuration at the base of the product lineup, yeah? (Well, now also including the e-model.)

Yes, and generally carriers will offer some great deals for the older model.