iCloud Storage Increase

[marty1980]

I pay for extra iCloud storage and it’s cheap and doesn’t bother me. But it does seem crazy to me that the free amount is only 5GB.

Is it time for Apple to increase that free iCloud storage.

How much should it be bumped up to and why?

The numbers I used in the poll take into consideration the storage space on current iDevices. Comment with any different amounts.

Thanks!

 

[Tavicu]

Nobody will give you a lot of storage for free. And in our times even 15GB is not enough if you have 2-3 devices with backup and photos active ...

What should they do is to have another option between 200GB and 2TB.

1$ a month after you spend 1000$+ on an phone ...
Like buying a BMW 7 series then searching for used tires!

 

[ilikewhey]

Nobody will give you a lot of storage for free. And in our times even 15GB is not enough if you have 2-3 devices with backup and photos active ...

What should they do is to have another option between 200GB and 2TB.

1$ a month after you spend 1000$+ on an phone ...
Like buying a BMW 7 series then searching for used tires!

Google Photo gives you unlimited storage space if you are willing to limit photo resolution to 16 megapixels and video resolution to 1080p.

i don't like the lack of freedom with icloud, so now i'm on a mix of icloud / google photo.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

What should they do is to have another option between 200GB and 2TB.

This.

 

[joeblow7777]

In this day and age, it should be at least 15GB. Or if they insist on sticking to 5GB, it should be 5 for each device you own. With an iPhone and an iPad, 5GB isn’t even enough for iCloud backups of both my devices.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

i don't like the lack of freedom with icloud, so now i'm on a mix of icloud / google photo.

Same, I upload all my photos to Google Photos, and only leave the most important ones on my iPhone/iCloud

 

[akash.nu]

Google Photo gives you unlimited storage space if you are willing to limit photo resolution to 16 megapixels and video resolution to 1080p.

i don't like the lack of freedom with icloud, so now i'm on a mix of icloud / google photo.

Google uses all of their free services to train their neural network systems. That’s how they have improved their summarise, suggestion and search algorithms.

Not that I don’t use their services but just to highlight that the “free” is not because they like their consumers and a super generous company.

 

[mrochester]

Really it’s rather meaningless to me how much Apple give for free as I almost certainly will need more than that anyway. I can’t imagine many people would fit into the free tier even if the amount was increased to 15gb.

 

[cynics]

Google Photo gives you unlimited storage space if you are willing to limit photo resolution to 16 megapixels and video resolution to 1080p.

i don't like the lack of freedom with icloud, so now i'm on a mix of icloud / google photo.

You forgot image compression. From Google...

Choose the backup quality of your photos & videos - iPhone & iPad - Google Photos Help

You can automatically save your photos and videos to your Google Account when you turn on backup. Learn how to back up your photos and videos. Each Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage and you

support.google.com

All images and videos uploaded using the "High Quality" (unlimited) preset are being further compressed. Keep in mind the "original" jpg or HEIC are already compressed formats derived from the original capture on the device.

Here are two images I pulled out of Photos (IMG_0677.jpg and IMG_0687S.heic) then uploaded and downloaded with Google Photos.

IMG_0677.jpeg is a fairly basic image captured with an iPhone 11 Pro Max. The original capture and stored images on iCloud is 2.9 MB. Uploading to Google Photos compresses this to 1.3 MB.

IMG_0687S.heic is still a fairly basic image captured with an iPhone 11 Pro Max however the image is a bit more sophisticated. The original capture and stored image on iCloud is 3.3 MB plus it has a resolution of 5648x4240 (image capture outside the frame used for editing and the iPhones feature set). Uploading to Google Photos compresses this to 1.6 MB and 4616x3465 (=15994440 aka 16mp). While the file extension displayed as HEIC on the Google Photos....Downloading IMG_00687S.heic will result in Google Photos changing the file extension on export. This is a screen grab from Google Photos image info for IMG_0687S.jpg prior to downloading (might be a way to avoid this but its a moot point because the images are bit for bit)...

There is a silver lining though, Googles image compression algorithms are amazing. Uploading an image that is less than 16 mp is virtually indistinguishable from the original uploaded file! IMO its truly amazing.

So smaller image file size using magic compression that is indistinguishable from the original is better right? Not exactly, actually there are some glaring issues that can even effect casual users that strive for quality.

RAW images even under 16 MP (even taken with the iPhone) will be compressed and colors, luminance, etc will be obviously changed. Even images using other files types with less compression can be negatively effected.

The main issue is the process for editing. Every time you download, edit and upload you are adding another layer of lossy compression further losing image data. This is IMG_0687S.heic from earlier downloaded from Google Photos as IMG_0687S.jpg, edited by typing the 4 letters of text on the image (IMG_0687S-1.jpg), uploaded than downloaded again. That sounds tedious however basically that is just ONE edit.

The image went from 1.7 to 1.2. At this point the lossy compression can be seen with side by side comparisons. Further edits will have obvious degradation of image quality that won't require side by side comparisons. This is very similar to comparing images sent iMessage and standard SMS/MMS. If you keep sending the COPY of an image iMessage will not degrade image quality, indefinitely because its sending the original. If you do the same with MMS the image quality of the COPY degrades exponentially every time its sent.

Now that isn't the end of the world, you just need to keep this in mind if you edit your photos. If you edit a photo keep the original so if you need to edit it again you can work from the original.

You get what you pay for IMO. If you do not want to compromise image quality you'll eventually need to pay for their 'Original Quality'. For me personally a native app shared across all devices that work from original images that contain metadata specifically for editing and reverting from edits in one file is easily worth the extra 10gb Google offers.

Not knocking anyones decision. Do whatever works for you and there is no doubt Google Photos is a good service.

EDIT: We should keep in mind that iCloud is more of a mirroring service while Google Photos is more of a back up service that has the benefit of easy access. If you have 10 Apple devices they'll have the same photos, messages, notes, calendars, documents, desktops (Mac), music, etc etc etc by using the same iCloud account. If you want every device to have its own 5gb of iCloud you just need to use a different iCloud (same with Google in this respect).

 

[twinlight]

No matter what amount they give away for free, people will complain.
I do wish we at least got a free backup of every device we have. Saving photos and other stuff is up to yourself if you want pay for.

 

[ian87w]

I pay for extra iCloud storage and it’s cheap and doesn’t bother me. But it does seem crazy to me that the free amount is only 5GB.

Is it time for Apple to increase that free iCloud storage.

How much should it be bumped up to and why?

The numbers I used in the poll take into consideration the storage space on current iDevices. Comment with any different amounts.

Thanks!

I wonder why is it "crazy."
OneDrive free tier is also 5GB. Huawei Cloud's free tier is also 5GB. Asus webstorage free tier is 5GB. Dropbox free tier is only 2GB. Google seems to be the only one offering 15GB for free, but we probably know why (data mining).

So iCloud being 5GB free seems comparable to the market. And at least Apple offers a 99c per month tier. Google doesn't even have a 99c tier.
[automerge]1590229716[/automerge]

Google Photo gives you unlimited storage space if you are willing to limit photo resolution to 16 megapixels and video resolution to 1080p.

i don't like the lack of freedom with icloud, so now i'm on a mix of icloud / google photo.

Google Photo's "unlimited" tier will recompress all your photos, even if they are 16MP or less. As an Android user, I don't even use it.

 

[splifingate]

I do wish we at least got a free backup of every device we have.

This.

Storage tiers that match the storage capacity of the phone would be ideal.

Regards, splifingate

 

[ian87w]

No matter what amount they give away for free, people will complain.
I do wish we at least got a free backup of every device we have. Saving photos and other stuff is up to yourself if you want pay for.

Well, you can always create a new iCloud account for each phone (while using the same iTunes account for apps). That way you get 5GB free on each device, and you can still use the same apps you have purchased from one account.

Regular backup doesn't really take that much space (discounting the photos and videos you take).

 

[ilikewhey]

You forgot image compression. From Google...

View attachment 917942

Choose the backup quality of your photos & videos - iPhone & iPad - Google Photos Help

You can automatically save your photos and videos to your Google Account when you turn on backup. Learn how to back up your photos and videos. Each Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage and you

support.google.com

All images and videos uploaded using the "High Quality" (unlimited) preset are being further compressed. Keep in mind the "original" jpg or HEIC are already compressed formats derived from the original capture on the device.

Here are two images I pulled out of Photos (IMG_0677.jpg and IMG_0687S.heic) then uploaded and downloaded with Google Photos.

View attachment 917944

IMG_0677.jpeg is a fairly basic image captured with an iPhone 11 Pro Max. The original capture and stored images on iCloud is 2.9 MB. Uploading to Google Photos compresses this to 1.3 MB.

IMG_0687S.heic is still a fairly basic image captured with an iPhone 11 Pro Max however the image is a bit more sophisticated. The original capture and stored image on iCloud is 3.3 MB plus it has a resolution of 5648x4240 (image capture outside the frame used for editing and the iPhones feature set). Uploading to Google Photos compresses this to 1.6 MB and 4616x3465 (=15994440 aka 16mp). While the file extension displayed as HEIC on the Google Photos....Downloading IMG_00687S.heic will result in Google Photos changing the file extension on export. This is a screen grab from Google Photos image info for IMG_0687S.jpg prior to downloading (might be a way to avoid this but its a moot point because the images are bit for bit)...

View attachment 917945

There is a silver lining though, Googles image compression algorithms are amazing. Uploading an image that is less than 16 mp is virtually indistinguishable from the original uploaded file! IMO its truly amazing.

So smaller image file size using magic compression that is indistinguishable from the original is better right? Not exactly, actually there are some glaring issues that can even effect casual users that strive for quality.

RAW images even under 16 MP (even taken with the iPhone) will be compressed and colors, luminance, etc will be obviously changed. Even images using other files types with less compression can be negatively effected.

The main issue is the process for editing. Every time you download, edit and upload you are adding another layer of lossy compression further losing image data. This is IMG_0687S.heic from earlier downloaded from Google Photos as IMG_0687S.jpg, edited by typing the 4 letters of text on the image (IMG_0687S-1.jpg), uploaded than downloaded again. That sounds tedious however basically that is just ONE edit.

View attachment 917958

The image went from 1.7 to 1.2. At this point the lossy compression can be seen with side by side comparisons. Further edits will have obvious degradation of image quality that won't require side by side comparisons. This is very similar to comparing images sent iMessage and standard SMS/MMS. If you keep sending the COPY of an image iMessage will not degrade image quality, indefinitely because its sending the original. If you do the same with MMS the image quality of the COPY degrades exponentially every time its sent.

Now that isn't the end of the world, you just need to keep this in mind if you edit your photos. If you edit a photo keep the original so if you need to edit it again you can work from the original.

You get what you pay for IMO. If you do not want to compromise image quality you'll eventually need to pay for their 'Original Quality'. For me personally a native app shared across all devices that work from original images that contain metadata specifically for editing and reverting from edits in one file is easily worth the extra 10gb Google offers.

Not knocking anyones decision. Do whatever works for you and there is no doubt Google Photos is a good service.

EDIT: We should keep in mind that iCloud is more of a mirroring service while Google Photos is more of a back up service that has the benefit of easy access. If you have 10 Apple devices they'll have the same photos, messages, notes, calendars, documents, desktops (Mac), music, etc etc etc by using the same iCloud account. If you want every device to have its own 5gb of iCloud you just need to use a different iCloud (same with Google in this respect).

interesting, didn't know they compress image even under 16mb. so basically for average user case this shouldn't be a problem since you stated the compression is nearly indistinguishable.

 

[ian87w]

interesting, didn't know they compress image even under 16mb. so basically for average user case this shouldn't be a problem since you stated the compression is nearly indistinguishable.

True. For the lay people (who imo are doing worse by sharing their photos via Whatsapp ), this is not a problem at all, unless they have privacy concerns.

 

[Tavicu]

Google Photo gives you unlimited storage space

You keep comparing Google Photos with iCloud. There are separate things! iCloud is not just for photos.

And Google Drive also have costs if it's to compare storing data

 

[26139]

This sorta feels like buying a car and expecting the car company to pay parking/garage fees.

 

[joeblow7777]

This sorta feels like buying a car and expecting the car company to pay parking/garage fees.

If all of their competitors did it, then yeah.

 

[ian87w]

If all of their competitors did it, then yeah.

But they don't. Only one indirect competitor offered subsidy in parking, with the exchange of your travel habits.

 

[rdy0329]

I'm on a mix of iCloud and Google Photos as well. But I was forced to subscribe to the 99c tier when the backups for three of my devices wouldn't fit in 5GB anymore compounded by the fact that iMessage on the cloud also takes iCloud storage space.

 

[ilikewhey]

You keep comparing Google Photos with iCloud. There are separate things! iCloud is not just for photos.

And Google Drive also have costs if it's to compare storing data

Google drive, google doc, etc, u get unlimited compressed but near indistinguishable photo storage, for everything else it’s 15gb.

looking at my iCloud stage 90 percent of the storage is photos

 

[zorinlynx]

Apple only charges $1 a month for 50GB.

This charge is not so much a money grab, it's to keep there from being abandoned accounts with dozens of GB of data that Apple has to keep around forever even though the account isn't used anymore.

Charging a token amount like $1 a month ensures that someone is actually using it. If they leave the platform they'll stop paying, and Apple can eventually delete the data.

Just pay the freaking $1 a month; this isn't going to break the bank for anyone who can afford Apple products and a cellular plan. But who am I kidding, people are going to be arguing about this until the end of time.

 

[marty1980]

Apple only charges $1 a month for 50GB.

This charge is not so much a money grab, it's to keep there from being abandoned accounts with dozens of GB of data that Apple has to keep around forever even though the account isn't used anymore.

Charging a token amount like $1 a month ensures that someone is actually using it. If they leave the platform they'll stop paying, and Apple can eventually delete the data.

That makes enough sense for keeping it on the lower end of free space. But I still think that basic storage needs have significantly increased since iCloud launched in 2011. My thought is that Apple should bump that up a bit just to cover the inflation of storage needs.

I am going to continue to pay no matter what, but I do know people who can’t or won’t pay the extra every month; even if “it’s only $1”

 

[mrochester]

That makes enough sense for keeping it on the lower end of free space. But I still think that basic storage needs have significantly increased since iCloud launched in 2011. My thought is that Apple should bump that up a bit just to cover the inflation of storage needs.

I am going to continue to pay no matter what, but I do know people who can’t or won’t pay the extra every month; even if “it’s only $1”

The old adage goes you should probably not have an iPhone if you can’t or don’t want to pay 79p per month for the 50gb of iCloud storage.

 

[26139]

That makes enough sense for keeping it on the lower end of free space. But I still think that basic storage needs have significantly increased since iCloud launched in 2011. My thought is that Apple should bump that up a bit just to cover the inflation of storage needs.

I am going to continue to pay no matter what, but I do know people who can’t or won’t pay the extra every month; even if “it’s only $1”

Inflation needs of what? 5gb is enough to use Photo Stream.

This feels like people who move into apartments getting upset because the apartments don't offer free external storage if they have too much stuff.

Why should secure, off-site digital storage be free?
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The old adage goes you should probably not have an iPhone if you can’t or don’t want to pay 79p per month for the 50gb of iCloud storage.

Same as you shouldn't be eating out if you can't afford to tip!