What size iPhone? 16 GB + cloud storage or 32 GB?

[dmk1974]

What size for an iPhone is a better choice to go with? Do most get the 16 GB and then utilize cloud storage (via iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) or get the larger 32 GB (or even 64 GB) model? $100 step for each size...just wondering if better to use some of that money (if needed) for some cloud space. Thanks!

 

[maflynn]

Depends on your needs, how much storage will your music, apps or data consume?

For me, I need 32GB because I don't use iCloud (or iTunes Radio) to stream my music. I also have a good amount of pictures and videos on my phone.

 

[dmk1974]

My wife and I currently have iPhone 5 phones (she has a 16 GB and I have a 64 GB). The primary usage of space is the photos/videos that are shot with the phones and really just the discipline to download them to our server computer every now and then to conserve space. I've had mine go up to 43 GB total space used, but when all offloaded, I get down to about 10 GB.

How much music I load up also can be variable. A few playlists can keep me at under 1 GB for music, but if I had the additional space, I can easily add 12-15 GB. Not really needed though. And while it streams TONS of data, the iTunes Match is an option too ($25/year to conserve space).

Regarding iCloud, from what I read, it only backs up photos, but not videos...is that true?

I think you can set DropBox and Google Drive to upload any file type, but I need to confirm and look into it.


Here's some pricing links:
iTunes Match http://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-match/
$24.99/yr

iCloud http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4874
5 GB free to start
10 additional GB (15 GB total): $20/year
20 additional GB (25 GB total): $40/year
50 additional GB (55 GB total): $100/year

Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/upgrade
2 GB free to start (can get referral space too)
100 GB for $99/yr

Google Drive https://www.google.com/settings/storage/summary?hl=en_US
5 GB free to start (can up to 15 GB with Quickoffice)
100 GB for $59.88/yr

 

[c613m]

I have a 16GB model, I've had 32's and 64's in the past, and came to the realization that having useless stuff on the phone makes no sense. I only have/use what I need for apps/games and still have 6GB's free.

I use iTunes Match to stream all my music. Much more convenient for me, and saves space.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Might have to do that since I have about 8gbs of music and I'm pretty full on my 16gb phone .

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Question would that be using cellular to access dat while driving lets say

 

[Jordan921]

I had a 16gb 4S then went to 32gb 5 and just ordered a 32gb 5S. Depends how much photo and music you are gonna store on your phone.

 

[gentlefury]

Unfortunately 16GB just isn't big enough. I've considered switching to the smaller model....but when it comes down to it, even tho most things you do are cloud, apps are getting HUGE! If you game at all..they are getting to 1GB+ on average. If you stream your music it actually stores everything you listen to so it doesn't use data next time...so the more available storage you have, the less data you will use too next time you load up that song/album.

Also, pics and movies are taking up more and more room. It's easy to build up 5GB of just camera roll now. 32GB is a very comfortable amount to have. I think 64GB is major overkill tho.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Since my data plan is utter ****, I always go with the highest capacity phone I'm willing to pay for. (32GB for $200 in this case, wasn't crazy enough to spring for the 64GB 5s at $400.)

 

[mikosk]

I would highly recommend Google Play for online music storage. It's free and you can upload up to 20,000 songs for the price of $0. You can then use a 3rd party app to stream your collection on your iPhone.

http://play.google.com/about/music/unlock/

Another thing for music you may want to consider is Spotify. It works really well, streams at high quality, and you can load local music quickly from the app directly. Not free, but for $10 a month, I think it's worth it.

I use these two on my 16GB iPhone and they work well.

 

[ericg301]

I'm a firm believer in buying in what you can afford, not what you need. You'll always find stuff to fill up whatever space you have. Whether it's 16, 32 or 64.

I stick with 32. Gives me enough room for most everything I need without constantly have to prune my content and apps.

 

[fsumom]

I almost went for the 5s 32gb but decided on the 5c 16gb to cut cost. Sure, I could have gone with the 5c 32gb for $199 but then I would have probably convinced myself to go with the 5s 16gb for the same price. I can always just transfer the pictures/videos to my macbook in order to not run out of space. I don't see watching any movies on such a tiny screen so that's a non issue. And I don't plan to have a lot of music either.

 

[takeshi74]

Do most get the 16 GB and then utilize cloud storage (via iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) or get the larger 32 GB (or even 64 GB) model?

What most do doesn't matter. What suits you specifically does matter. I always buy the largest capacity as it's within my budget and local storage cannot be expanded.