Apple Expected to Adopt Technology That May Pave Way for 2TB iPhones

[MacRumors]

Taiwanese research firm TrendForce this week said it anticipates that Apple will begin releasing iPhones with quad-level cell (QLC) storage by 2026. This technology could pave the way for iPhones with 2TB of storage in the future.

QLC is a denser storage technology compared to the triple-level cell (TLC) technology used for storage chips in existing iPhones, and this would allow for higher storage capacity within the same physical footprint. In addition, QLC storage is typically less expensive than TLC in terms of price per gigabyte. However, one downside is that QLC storage typically offers slower read and write speeds compared to TLC storage.

The density and cost advantages of QLC could pave the way for Apple to release a 2TB storage capacity for future iPhones. TrendForce's estimate that Apple will adopt the technology by 2026 means that it could be incorporated into iPhones starting with iPhone 16 models, iPhone 17 models, or iPhone 18 models, so there is still no exact timeframe for this change. A report from supply chain publication DigiTimes earlier this year claimed that Apple was evaluating QLC for 1TB models of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, so the technology could end up being used for both 1TB and 2TB storage capacities.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 series in September, so we are only a few months away from finding out whether a 2TB storage capacity and QLC storage technology are introduced this year or further into the future.

Article Link: Apple Expected to Adopt Technology That May Pave Way for 2TB iPhones

 

[zelativity]

Ew.. QLC lol. Imagine paying top dollar to get subpar NAND flash

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

2TB iPhone I would have start flogging my organs

 

[klasma]

However, one downside is that QLC storage typically offers slower read and write speeds compared to TLC storage.

QLC is also less reliable and degrades faster than TLC.

 

[kaishockz]

Start with 256 at the 16 Pro and everyone is happy.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Here we go with "newer but slower" again. And considering the lower cost of QLC, one has to wonder what the $$$ premium for a 1TB or 2TB iPhone will be?

 

[coffeemilktea]

At last, I'll finally have enough space for all the 4K 60 frames-per-second videos I keep taking of my cat 😩

 

[platinumaqua]

Ew.. QLC lol. Imagine paying top dollar to get subpar NAND flash

plays into Apple's planned obsolescence plans /s

 

[Biro]

Again, I’m happy for anyone who wants this and 1-2TB of storage. But I don’t keep much on my phone and I prefer faster, more-reliable storage. 128GB is fine with me. So I’m hoping QLC will NOT be adopted across the board.

 

[PotentPeas]

Everything is a trade-off. Same arguments when TLC took over MLC. I myself am a data hoarder and will take capacity over speed. I have some QLC drives in use (one of them is over five years old) and they are fine. Still waiting for them to bump MacBooks up above 8 TB!

 

[kcslc]

QLC flash is absolute trash. I will avoid like the plague. Poor write longevity. Poor write performance. No thanks, Apple.

 

[ignatius345]

More storage than I have on my desktop Mac 😂

 

[Premium1]

"However, one downside is that QLC storage typically offers slower read and write speeds compared to TLC storage." So you need to donate a kidney to get it and the quality is trash. Sounds about right for Apple. Overcharge for subpar storage just like with their macbooks.

 

[brofkand]

A lot would have to change with iOS before I'd want to keep that much data on a device running it.

Organizing data on iOS is a nightmare.

 

[JPack]

As long as Apple doesn't serialize or otherwise lock down the NAND to prevent upgrading, I'm happy. Right now, a third-party upgrade to 1TB costs just over $100 in parts and labor.

 

[turbineseaplane]

So higher prices for lesser components

Lovely

 

[qCzar]

2TB iPhones but still 5GB on iCloud for free.
Watch it happen.

 

[turbineseaplane]

A lot would have to change with iOS before I'd want to keep that much data on a device running it.

Organizing data on iOS is a nightmare.

Agree

Only reason I have the 512 iPhone 13 Mini is I got it for a ridiculous price and I do like having a full quality copy of my entire local iTunes library with me (and has an additional backup)

But ... it's only because I got it for a steal

 

[tCdemon]

2TB that will be a very premium price! Then when you want to trade in with Apple they will give you the same amount as the 256GB...makes sense to me!

 

[jwsf28]

Make it so that the iPhone shows up as an external drive when you plug it into your Mac and I’d buy a 2TB version in a heartbeat.

 

[turbineseaplane]

2TB that will be a very premium price! Then when you want to trade in with Apple they will give you the same amount as the 256GB...makes sense to me!

This remains one of the truly most egregious rip off practices by Apple

(and there are many from which to choose)

 

[jz0309]

Sure, it was/is a question of time when 2TB would be available for iPhone, and some people will need/use it, but he majority not so much.
I think I reached my sweet spot with 512, not quite using half of it…

 

[reidmangel]

I'm sure this will be $1800 to start. :O

 

[Ramchi]

I use 512 GB which itself is too much for my type of usage. I keep my contents in OneDrive (6 TB Cloud Storage using 6 accounts, 1 TB each), I think keeping 2 TB storage in a device may not be very clever since chances of it getting erased is very high compared to cloud storage. You basically need 256 GB option and keep everything in cloud. Slowing down the NAND speed by opting inferior technology is not the right direction imo. People have option in streaming content than storing content.

 

[Marx55]

QLC is really bad. Apple should keep on using TLC. There is no technological problema to reach 2 TB with TLC on iPhones now.