New iPhone 16 Pro 2TB Storage Option: All the Rumors In Favor

[MacRumors]

As Apple's iPhone 16 launch approaches, questions are swirling about a potential leap in storage capacity for the iPhone 16 Pro models. According to a January report, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will double their maximum storage to 2TB.

This speculation stems from Apple's rumored adoption of Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash memory. QLC technology could allow Apple to pack more storage into a smaller space while potentially reducing costs compared to the current Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND.

However, it's crucial to approach these rumors with caution. Similar claims about 2TB options surfaced for both the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro, which ultimately proved false. Yet despite this history, there are new factors that lend credibility to the latest 2TB rumors.

The iPhone 16 Pro models are reportedly set to receive significant camera upgrades that could justify the need for increased storage. Rumors suggest an improved ultra-wide camera with a 48-megapixel sensor, featuring the same pixel-binning technology as the main camera. This upgrade, combined with a wider f/2.2 aperture, promises substantially better low-light performance and support for 48-megapixel ProRaw photography.

Apple is also said to be introducing a new image format called "JPEG-XL." This addition to the existing lineup of HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max formats could potentially result in larger file sizes, making increased storage more necessary. The rumored capability to shoot 3K video at 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision on the Pro models would also generate significantly larger files.

Last but not least, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a dedicated "Capture Button" for the iPhone 16 Pro models, emphasizing the device's role as a serious photography and video capture device. Taken together, this collective push towards professional-grade image and video capabilities could justify the need for increased storage options.

While the prospect of a 2TB iPhone is exciting, especially for content creators and power users, it's important to bear in mind that QLC NAND does have drawbacks. Most notably, it typically offers slower read and write speeds compared to TLC NAND.

• iPhone 16 Launch Month Is Here: Everything We Know

As we await official announcements from Apple during its upcoming "It's Glowtime" event on September 9, the possibility of a 2TB iPhone 16 Pro model remains an uncertain prospect. Whether this will be the year Apple finally breaks the storage barrier remains to be seen, but the combination of new hardware features and evolving storage technology certainly makes it a possibility. And if it doesn't happen, there's always hope for next year.

Article Link: New iPhone 16 Pro 2TB Storage Option: All the Rumors In Favor

 

[Wazzatagen]

2TB phones - such a niche for most of the "non-creator" folk!

Nevertheless, the apple tax on it's storage is eye watering to me.

 

[d5aqoëp]

2 TB model would be outrageously costly and Apple will not pass the dirt-tier QLC NAND cost benefits to the consumer.

A 2TB (Top Tier) TLC NVMe costs $100-150 for retail. When Apple purchases these in bulk, the costs are even lower. I refuse to pay $1500-2000 just for 2TB storage and bear Apple's ridiculous markup.

PS: QLC NAND is a disgusting invention which no ethical company should use in their top-tier devices. The writes cycle is atrocious.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Hopefully 1TB and under stay as TLC

 

[Andain]

Basically the only way I will be spending the 2 grand Apple asks, until then, no new iPhones for me, will drag it until iOS is not supported anymore. (And I would rather get a Studio Display instead of a phone for that money)

And before you ask for what, not everybody is willing to spend the hundreds of dollars every month for renting stuff. And most of my stuff is not on Spotify anyway.

 

[Radin.Y]

2TB is such a niche market. Good for the people who need it, and have the money to pay the pay the price for an absurd storage upgrade cost.

 

[Radin.Y]

2TB phones - such a niche for most of the "non-creator" folk!

Nevertheless, the apple tax on it's storage is eye watering to me.

We literally said the same thing! 😆

 

[contacos]

obviously there are people that would use this but I just can’t imagine what i could possibly do with so much storage. I am currently using 37 GB of 256 GB on my Fold 6. Everything is basically happening in the cloud or via streaming for me nowadays.

I do notice that Apps keep on getting bigger and bigger for no obvious reasons either. Like why ks the Uber app nearly 500mb.

The only time I download some media is when I go on vacation, only to never watch it anyway 😅

 

[BelgianChoklit]

To be honest, I das surprised they didn't offer a 2TB 15 Pro model. Considering how fast your storage can get full when recording 4K and how much storage losless Apple Music takes.

 

[TracerAnalog]

2 TB model would be outrageously costly and Apple will not pass the dirt-tier QLC NAND cost benefits to the consumer.

A 2TB (Top Tier) TLC NVMe costs $100-150 for retail. When Apple purchases these in bulk, the costs are even lower. I refuse to pay $1500-2000 just for 2TB storage and bear Apple's ridiculous markup.

PS: QLC NAND is a disgusting invention which no ethical company should use in their top-tier devices. The writes cycle is atrocious.

Those NVMe sticks are way too big to fit in an iPhone. And they heat up quite a bit. So much storage in a phone is of a different class, and quite expensive. However: Apple’s prices are indeed on the high side😅. You’re probably better off using a fast external drive if you’re in need for so much storage.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

PLEASE APPLE
Add 8K Video Recording for the 16 Pro Max.

 

[maerz001]

Now Apple please give us as a RAM upgrade as well. Or at least make it a „costly“ option

 

[dumastudetto]

2TB is what I want right now. It's taken so long that I'll soon be crying out for an 8TB iPhone option.

 

[lenningj]

If the 2TB model is using a crazy fast new storage tech then cool for those that need it Might alleviate the initial supply to other storage sizes on launch for a better chance at getting it day 1 for 256/512 or 1tb

 

[Velli]

obviously there are people that would use this but I just can’t imagine what i could possibly do with so much storage. I am currently using 37 GB of 256 GB on my Fold 6. Everything is basically happening in the cloud or via streaming for me nowadays.

I do notice that Apps keep on getting bigger and bigger for no obvious reasons either. Like why ks the Uber app nearly 500mb.

The only time I download some media is when I go on vacation, only to never watch it anyway 😅

I’m very much like you, but for people shooting a lot of video it does make sense.

 

[fatihayoglu]

One of the fastest growing revenue channels for Apple is services which includes iCloud.

Apple may not offer an increase of storage and will direct users to purchase a bigger iCloud storage account which would might be better for Apple financially.

 

[okkibs]

I would love if they started at 256GB and replaced the current storage tiers with their respective doubled sizes. Meaning 2TB for the same price as a current 1TB model. And someone willing to pay for a 500GB 15 Pro can get a 1TB 16 Pro for that same price.

I could use the extra space but to be honest I am not willing to drop over $2k on a phone. My current one with tax and AC+ was already close to $2k and I went right to the limit of what I was willing to pay. You can always sell a 250GB/500GB iPhone for a good amount after a couple years but on the 1TB model you always eat the costs for the extra storage.

And then there is the practicality of backups. You can pay for extra iCloud storage and that can do its thing in the background just fine. But wait until you need to do a restore and realize your iPhone's a brick until it's downloaded 1TB from the cloud.

Apple has no issues selling us 1TB iPhones but ask support to help you get a single accidentally deleted file back and they'll happily inform you that you're going to be wiping that entire iPhone. It's just not practical and would be so much worse on the 2TB models.

 

[Marty80]

512gb is enough for me, but if a 2tb is introduced maybe Apple might shed some of the cost of the 1tb model. One can only dream 🤩

 

[RealE]

One of the fastest growing revenue channels for Apple is services which includes iCloud.

Apple may not offer an increase of storage and will direct users to purchase a bigger iCloud storage account which would might be better for Apple financially.

If Apple ever figures out how to make us pay a monthly subscription for cloud based RAM they would do it.

 

[PsykX]

If it starts at 256 GB I'm going to save some money this year... One can only hope !

 

[Account25476]

Still merely 5GB of free iCloud storage, I recommend Apple...

 

[brofkand]

Frankly I love the idea of having my entire digital life (or at least, nearly all of it) on my phone, but I'd much prefer if the iPhone had a "DEX Mode" like Samsungs - so it can transform into a desktop when docked. And - even more crucial - getting data on and off the phone has to be less painful. Why in 2024 does the iPhone still not just appear as a removable drive when connected to a desktop?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

obviously there are people that would use this but I just can’t imagine what i could possibly do with so much storage. I am currently using 37 GB of 256 GB on my Fold 6. Everything is basically happening in the cloud or via streaming for me nowadays.

I do notice that Apps keep on getting bigger and bigger for no obvious reasons either. Like why ks the Uber app nearly 500mb.

The only time I download some media is when I go on vacation, only to never watch it anyway 😅

I couldn't use this much space if I tried, and I barely use the cloud. Between the wife and I, our photos library is around 80gb. I have a lot of ripped and organized music, but that doesn't take more than 20gb. A lifetime of documents and email doesn't add up to 10gb. I guess video is the only real way to use that much space.

Good for those who need it, though!

 

[allenvanhellen]

No easy battery replacement + the Apple tax for storage upgrades + the existence of external USB C drives = 2TB iPhones are ridiculous

 

[fatTribble]

I take a lot of 4K video on trips so I’ve been hoping for a 2 TB iPhone. 🥳

The Optimize Photos options works ok, but oftentimes photos need to downloaded when browsing which makes for a clunky experience. Having everything local is definitely smoother. 🤓