Cost and color are not the only considerations when you are deciding which iPhone model to buy. One of the most important, but often overlooked factor is the storage capacity of the device being purchased. Many consumers look at the price tag and go with the cheapest model that is available. This strategy is easy on the wallet, but it can cause a great amount of frustration down the line. You won’t be very happy in six months from now when you run out of space while trying to download a new app or taking a photo with the camera. Before you buy the lowest capacity iPhone version, read our guide below so you can choose the storage capacity best suited to your needs.
Capacity and Pricing
No matter how you look at it, additional space means more money. How much more does this extra capacity cost? It’s surprisingly reasonable.
The entry-level iPhone 6s and 6s Plus offers 16GB of storage with each bump in storage adding $100 onto the price. Unlike previous iPhone models that doubled storage space, the iPhone 6s quadruples the capacity at the first jump with an entry-level 16GB that jumps to 64GB and finally 128GB.
Pricing increases accordingly with the 16GB model iPhone 6s costing $649, the 64GB priced at $749 and finally the 128GB available for $849. The Phone 6s Plus is priced similarly, starting at $749 for 16GB and then going up to $849 for the 64GB version and $949 for 128GB.
| 16GB | 64GB | 128GB | |
| iPhone 6s (no contract) | $649 | $749 | $849 |
| iPhone 6s Plus (no contract) | $749 | $849 | $949 |
In most cases, it makes financial sense to spend that extra $100 to increase your storage capacity, as long as you need that extra space. This bit of insight brings us to the next question you should ask before purchasing a phone– how much space do you really need?
General Storage Guidelines
Do you download a lot of music, watch a lot of movies, try out a lot of apps or take a lot of photos and videos? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then don’t skimp on your storage — purchase the largest capacity phone you can afford. There are many people (myself included) who opt for the 16GB iPhone to save money, but that decision turns out to be a bad one when they hit a wall because their device because it is filled to its maximum capacity. Deleting photos and removing apps every time you want to download a new album is a drag. Spend the money upfront now to get the storage that you think you will need. It will save you a lot of headaches later on. Trust me on this one.
Who should buy the 16 GB model?
Nobody. It may sound harsh, but nobody should purchase a 16GB iPhone model at this point in the phone’s evolution. Apple shouldn’t even be selling this low of a capacity in my opinion. Apps are getting bigger and more complex; the new Apple Music service makes it easy than ever to save songs for offline listening, and a fantastic camera with 4K support means you will take more pictures than ever. All these activities, especially the 4K video, require storage space and a lot of it. To give you some idea, one minute video in 4K can take up as much as 375 MB.
Who should buy the 64GB model?
If you are not sure which model to purchase, then go with the 64GB version. You won’t regret it. The 64GB model gives you plenty of space for photos, music, movies and apps. You can use your device for months without deleting a file and still have room to spare. When new iOS updates roll out, you’ll be able to install them without worrying about having enough space.
Who should buy the 128GB model?
The 128GB storage capacity also is an excellent option, but you may not require all that space. The 128GB version is perfect for people who want to store a large amount of media, maps and other content on their device. You cross over into the 128GB territory when you need multiple navigation solutions, offline topographic maps, field guides, manuals, music and movies on your device. Most people don’t need that space and should settle with the 64GB. Save yourself a $100 use that extra cash to purchase a good case or AppleCare+ for 64GB device.
Which capacity will you buy?
Choosing the right capacity is an important decision. Look at your current iPhone and see how much space you use and choose accordingly. Which capacity iPhone do you think you will buy? Let us know in the comments which one you will choose and why.
