Cost, color, and capacity are the big three when it comes to purchasing a new iPhone. Most people focus on the price first and then the color, but one of the most important, and sadly an 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 an enormous amount of frustration down the line. You won’t be jubilant 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, if you want more storage on your money, you are going to have to pay for it. How much more does this extra capacity cost? It’s surprisingly reasonable.

The entry-level iPhone 7 and 7 Plus offers 32GB of storage with each bump in storage adding $100 onto the price. Unlike early iPhone models that merely doubled the available storage space, the iPhone 7 quadruples the capacity at the first jump with an entry-level 32GB that climbs to 128GB and ends at a whopping 256GB.

Pricing increases accordingly with the 32GB model iPhone 7 costing $649, the 128GB priced at $749 and finally the 256GB available for $849. The Phone 7 Plus is priced similarly, starting at $769 for 32GB and then going up to $869 for the 128GB version and $969 for 256GB.

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 32GB iPhone to save money, but that decision turns out to be a mistake when they hit a wall because their device 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 32GB model?

You should think carefully if you plan to purchase a 32GB iPhone model at this point in the phone’s evolution. 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 dual camera with 4K support and other advanced features means you will take more pictures than ever. All these activities require storage space and a lot of it. I always thought I could get by with the lowest capacity device, but I use my phone for too many activities. Everything from documents, photographs, videos, emails, offline maps and more are stored on my device. If this is your first smartphone or you are new to the iPhone owner , then you may be able to squeak by with a 32GB model. Any seasoned iPhone owner should bypass this low capacity model and begin with middle tier 128GB version.

Who should buy the 128GB model?

If you are not sure which model to purchase, then go for the 128GB version. You won’t regret it. The 128GB 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 256GB model?

The 256GB storage capacity also is an excellent option, but you may not require all that space. The 256GB version is perfect for people who want to store a large amount of media, maps and other content on their device. You also will cross over into the 256GB 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 128GB. Save yourself a $100 and use that extra cash to purchase a good case or AppleCare+ for your 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.