Keep the 64 gig. The extra storage will come in handy. Also, like was said before, resale value is better. In 2 months you probably won't miss the extra hundred bucks.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
So I just bought the iPhone 5s in 64gb...
- Thread starter Ksubi
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
We're unsure if the upgrade to 64GB storage is worth it for you or not. It all comes down to the amount of apps, music, photos, videos etc you hold on your device.
The key phrase I see here is "I had intentions of buying the space grey in 32GB". With this in mind, from my understanding, you definitely do not need the 64GB model. The purchase was more of a "I need it now, I'll buy whatever is available". If I were you I'd return it and wait until a device is available that you want. If you initially wanted 32GB, then that's all you need.
I picked up a 64 GB iPhone 5 last year at launch and don't regret it. Granted I have never used more than half my space but I like the peace of mind. Plus $100 more isn't a big deal IMO considering the monthly rate for service.
Entirely up to you
I've had 64GB with my iPhone 4S, a may have gotten 128GB had they offered it in the 5S. I keep lots of videos for emergency use with the kids when traveling, and that makes 32GB unworkable for me given all the other things I have on my phone. But lots of memory can make you lazy; I went through a purge of apps, videos, etc. that I didn't need/use, and freed up a ton of space. Still, I have 40GB of stuff on my phone, which is crazy when I think of the first HD I used, which was 5MB.
I don't think getting 64GB "future-proofs" a phone, but it does allow you to be a bit lazier about managing what you have on it "if" you would otherwise fill up 32GB.
I've had 64GB with my iPhone 4S, a may have gotten 128GB had they offered it in the 5S. I keep lots of videos for emergency use with the kids when traveling, and that makes 32GB unworkable for me given all the other things I have on my phone. But lots of memory can make you lazy; I went through a purge of apps, videos, etc. that I didn't need/use, and freed up a ton of space. Still, I have 40GB of stuff on my phone, which is crazy when I think of the first HD I used, which was 5MB.
I don't think getting 64GB "future-proofs" a phone, but it does allow you to be a bit lazier about managing what you have on it "if" you would otherwise fill up 32GB.
Depends
How others have said it's all relative. I sometimes have to snap over 100 photos a day for my job and even though I'd delete old ones at a days end after I would email them in to bands/agents/tour managers 16gigs just weren't enough. (Work for a production company) I was constantly running out of space and that's with just two apps installed. I went and bought a 64 gig s just for the storage. Would have kept my iPhone 5 if it was 32 or 64 but the day they came out in 2012 my iPhone ; finally stopped working as it was on its last leg and when I walked in to get one all they had was 16 gigs left.
If you can afford the extra coast th keep as the resale value will also be more down the road. And you can't add any extra memory so keep that in mind as well.
How others have said it's all relative. I sometimes have to snap over 100 photos a day for my job and even though I'd delete old ones at a days end after I would email them in to bands/agents/tour managers 16gigs just weren't enough. (Work for a production company) I was constantly running out of space and that's with just two apps installed. I went and bought a 64 gig s just for the storage. Would have kept my iPhone 5 if it was 32 or 64 but the day they came out in 2012 my iPhone ; finally stopped working as it was on its last leg and when I walked in to get one all they had was 16 gigs left.
If you can afford the extra coast th keep as the resale value will also be more down the road. And you can't add any extra memory so keep that in mind as well.
I wish I had more storage. My 32GB feels miniscule every time I have to delete an app or movie to accomodate another download. Then again, you might not have as much apps or media on your phone, but it's always nice to have that extra security.
I created a thread about this a few days back, there's 5 pages of responses if you care to read.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1644870/
This was my final summary if you don't want to bother reading through it:
I finally made my decision and will be keeping the Space Gray 32GB 5S.
A summary of the main reasons many bought the 64GB model:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1644870/
This was my final summary if you don't want to bother reading through it:
I finally made my decision and will be keeping the Space Gray 32GB 5S.
A summary of the main reasons many bought the 64GB model:
- Have a large music/video/photo collection
- It was the only model available at the time
- Future-proofing against growing app sizes
- Sick of having to constantly sync your phone
- Stream all of my music through Spotify
- Have unlimited LTE on Verizon
- Don't keep photos/videos on my phone long-term (backup to PC & Dropbox)
- Don't watch movies on my phone
Last edited:
Ask yourself this question. If you went into a store to buy a memory stick and the 64G was $130 more than the 32G would you buy it. This is very expensive storage and it is so easy to change, add delete music on itunes when you sync your phone.
Those with money to burn it does not matter but it still remains expensive storage.
Those with money to burn it does not matter but it still remains expensive storage.
I always get the biggest capacity, but it is a much poorer value when it comes time to resell or trade in the phone. My old 64GB ATT 4S was worth a $204 for trade-in from Apple, and this is about what Gazelle quoted me. This is nearly identical to what they offered folks for 16GB or 32GB models. So, the extrastorage costs 100 or 200 bucks more and that is generally not recouped.
Having said that, it's nice not to have to micromanage the storage as much.
But, it's less and less essential to have space on the phone. Music can be copied from the cloud from Apple (match), and apps can be cleared out (it took me a couple years to finally start deleting old paid apps that I outgrew or didn't like).
The biggest storage thing for me was movies--I used to rip my DVDs and add them to the phone. I really don't do this much any more, because it's so much easier to watch video streaming (netflix, from my home server, or whatever). One change Apple should make is to permit streaming of rented or purchased itunes movies--because copying them to the phone takes up an awful lot of storage space.
So I would recommend less storage for most folks...and for myself. I haven't taken the time to do it but I could probably get by with one step smaller...YMMV
Having said that, it's nice not to have to micromanage the storage as much.
But, it's less and less essential to have space on the phone. Music can be copied from the cloud from Apple (match), and apps can be cleared out (it took me a couple years to finally start deleting old paid apps that I outgrew or didn't like).
The biggest storage thing for me was movies--I used to rip my DVDs and add them to the phone. I really don't do this much any more, because it's so much easier to watch video streaming (netflix, from my home server, or whatever). One change Apple should make is to permit streaming of rented or purchased itunes movies--because copying them to the phone takes up an awful lot of storage space.
So I would recommend less storage for most folks...and for myself. I haven't taken the time to do it but I could probably get by with one step smaller...YMMV
In general, in terms of resale the base models tend to perform the best (i.e. least badly). Technology has a terrible resale value. Last year's technology is last year's. It's not like a house or even a car. My advice is to buy what you need.
If you need a MacBook Air with a 1.3GHz Core i5 and 4GB RAM, get that. Upgrade only if you think it will extend its usable life. It's the same with a phone. If you pay $200 more for a MacBook Air with more RAM or a faster CPU you'll get maybe $50 more for it in 2 years, if anything. Similarly, if you pay $200 more for the 64GB than the 16GB, next year maybe you'll get $100 more. Remember, in October 2014, the iPhone 5s in any capacity will be "last year's, (probably) discontinued" model.
If you need a MacBook Air with a 1.3GHz Core i5 and 4GB RAM, get that. Upgrade only if you think it will extend its usable life. It's the same with a phone. If you pay $200 more for a MacBook Air with more RAM or a faster CPU you'll get maybe $50 more for it in 2 years, if anything. Similarly, if you pay $200 more for the 64GB than the 16GB, next year maybe you'll get $100 more. Remember, in October 2014, the iPhone 5s in any capacity will be "last year's, (probably) discontinued" model.
Typically, I opt for the 64GB (had that with my 4S and 5) because I don't want to worry about space (mostly because of pictures). But, this time around I realized that I didn't really need it given what I actually use on my phone. I had a bunch of stuff (apps, music, & videos) that I was never accessing. Decided that the 32GB would work well for my needs. That's what I went with for the 5S.
well have a two year old daughter which we are trying to capture all the moments. And I was excited when I heard that they were coming out with 128gb ihpones! because 64gb is not enough to hold all these photos and videos!
I figure if 32gb is what you wanted, then that's probably all you need. Most people I know really could use more than 16 (phone is always full from apps and photos or whatever, makes it so they can't take pictures sometimes).
Most of the people in front of me in line on launch day (6 or so people) ended up buying 64gb because Apple didn't have any 32gb phones in the color / carrier combo they wanted. I guess they decided it was worth it to upgrade to get what they wanted (gold, mostly... but some silver).
It boils down to whether $130 is worth the instant gratification. If it's not... then you can return it and play the game of trying to find a 32gb phone (or waiting a month).
Most of the people in front of me in line on launch day (6 or so people) ended up buying 64gb because Apple didn't have any 32gb phones in the color / carrier combo they wanted. I guess they decided it was worth it to upgrade to get what they wanted (gold, mostly... but some silver).
It boils down to whether $130 is worth the instant gratification. If it's not... then you can return it and play the game of trying to find a 32gb phone (or waiting a month).
Give it a try
Truth be told, 64gb is probably overkill for most people. But, having said that, since you already have the phone in your hands and are presumably happy with it, I would tend to just keep it and move on, and not deal with all the return hassles and restocking fees if any and all of that. Then this will be an experiment this year to see if you need a 64gb phone going forward, or whether your next phone can be just 32gb or even 16gb.
Truth be told, 64gb is probably overkill for most people. But, having said that, since you already have the phone in your hands and are presumably happy with it, I would tend to just keep it and move on, and not deal with all the return hassles and restocking fees if any and all of that. Then this will be an experiment this year to see if you need a 64gb phone going forward, or whether your next phone can be just 32gb or even 16gb.
With two young children, I tend to take lots of pictures and videos, so 64GB is a no-brainer for me.
Pics and videos are my biggest reason for going 64 too. Those things add up and I hate to pick and choose. I prefer having everything, or at least almost everything, on my phone.
It's also nice keeping a large selection of music and movies on my phone at all times.
I have the 64gb, i don't think i'd be able to go back to the 32. I'm one who doesn't delete a lot of my photos or videos even after i have them backed up. Most of them are of my nephews and my son, so i like to look back at them from time to time. Lots of those are videos, so it takes up space.
i think with the cameras and stuff getting better and better, you'll want the extra space if you do take videos and photos.
Just my opinion though.....
i think with the cameras and stuff getting better and better, you'll want the extra space if you do take videos and photos.
Just my opinion though.....
This is bad info....I was able to sell my White Iphone 4s 64gb for $400 on craigslist about 3 months ago. Just keep it in a protective case and slap a screen protector on it. You'll reap the rewards when it comes time to reselling it. ALWAYS use Craigslist for maximum return. I had about 10 inquiries within 15 minutes of posting it on CL.
I ALWAYS buy the 64gb version. Considering I paid $400 for it w/ the discount from AT&T....I used the phone for 2 years....and sold it back for $400....I had the phone for free for 2 years.....You do the math.
Or like me takes too many photos and uses 18GB up just from that
I took 2000 pics when I went to Cali and it only took 4GB, so how many do you take? or is it that you just keep them all on the phone?
I wish they had a 24gb model.
16gb simply can't hold my music library and my apps.
32gb is a ton more space than I need.
64gb is just way too much. I seriously worry about the battery drain.
you can see videos on a photo stream? because thats the majority really. let me know.