How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (2024)

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (1)

Written by Dewy

If you're looking for a new iPhone, you also have to decide on the storage capacity. We recommend the 256GB version, but there are even devices with 1TB. Such a high storage capacity isn't important for everyone. An iPhone with such a high storage capacity also means it's more expensive. We're happy to help you choose the right storage capacity for you.

  1. Choose iPhone storage capacity
  2. Your operating system also takes up storage
  3. 64GB
  4. 128GB
  5. 256GB
  6. 512GB
  7. 1TB

Choose iPhone storage capacity

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (2)

You've finally found the perfect iPhone. But how much storage capacity do you need? Here, you'll find a brief explanation about the different storage capacities:

  • 64GB: limited storage space
  • 128GB: enough for basic use
  • 256GB: enough for the average user
  • 512GB: store your entire photo, video, and movie collection
  • 1TB: never worry about storage space and store photos in Apple ProRAW

Your operating system also takes up storage

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (3)

With a 256GB storage capacity, you never actually have 256GB of storage space. The operating system on your device and standard apps already take up quite a bit of storage capacity. Calculating in advance how much storage you need for your device? Add about 20% to that. That way, you know for sure you're making the right choice. It's best to think about this before placing your order, because you can't expand the storage of your iPhone later on. You can of course always use cloud services to store all your files.

View all refurbished iPhone models

64GB: limited storage space

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (4)

With 64GB, you'll have enough if you use your iPhone for WhatsApp and calls. In addition, you have space for some social media apps and light games. You can use streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify and you don't record 4K videos. You can quickly remove unnecessary apps and store photos in your iCloud photo library. Was 64GB just enough on your previous device? Choose an iPhone with more storage space.

128GB: enough for basic use

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (5)

An iPhone with 128GB storage capacity is suitable for basic use. With the new iPhone 15 models, this is the minimum storage capacity. With 128GB, you have enough space to store some photos, music, and videos locally on you iPhone. As a result, you don't have to exclusively use iCloud storage. Want to download a movie for on the go? Not a problem. Simply delete it from your device afterwards so you can download a new one.

Apple iPhone 128GB

256GB: enough for the average user

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (6)

You can download the latest apps and games without having to worry about how much space you have left. You have plenty of storage space for photos, videos, and music. You don't necessarily have to use iCloud. You also like taking photos in portrait mode recording 4K videos. You can even download a few episodes of your series for on the plane. Cleaning up isn't your thing. Perhaps you do it once a year, just to see if you have some unnecessary apps on your device.

Apple iPhone 256GB

512GB: store your entire photo, video, and movie collection

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (7)

Do you want 512GB of storage? Your options are the iPhone 15 Pro (Max), iPhone 15 (Plus), iPhone 14 Pro (Max), iPhone 14 (Plus), iPhone 13 Pro (Max), and iPhone 13 (Mini). You do everything on your device, whether it's for business or private use. Cleaning up isn't in your vocabulary and you're always testing the latest apps. You store a lot locally and you don't use cloud services for storage. You also want to access all your series and music offline regularly, for example while traveling.

Apple iPhone 512GB

1TB: never worry about storage and store photos in Apple ProRaw

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (8)

Are you an avid photographer? With 1TB, you can easily store all your photos in Apple ProRAW. Thanks to this file format, you can adjust your photos the way you want to afterwards. You can store movies and series from streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV+ in the highest quality. That way, you can watch all your favorites in places without an internet connection. We recommend 1TB if you don't or hardly use cloud services and like to store photos and videos in the highest quality. The 1TB storage is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro (Max), iPhone 14 Pro (Max), and iPhone 13 Pro (Max).

Apple iPhone 1TB

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue (2024)

FAQs

How do you choose the right storage capacity for your iPhone? - Coolblue? ›

You can buy an iPhone with five different amounts of storage space: 64 gigabytes, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and one terabyte. Most iPhone users won't need more than 256GB, or 512GB if you take a lot of photos and videos. Apple also offers online iCloud storage, which can help free up your device's internal storage.

What is the best storage capacity for an iPhone? ›

Choosing your iPhone 14 storage
Advantages
128GBCheapest option, ideal for most users
256GBPerfect for downloading a few movies/shows. Space for lots of games/apps and photos
512GBRoom for plenty of films and loads of space for photos, games and apps
1TBAbsolutely no need for iCloud storage
Mar 27, 2024

What is the actual storage capacity of iPhone? ›

You can buy an iPhone with five different amounts of storage space: 64 gigabytes, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and one terabyte. Most iPhone users won't need more than 256GB, or 512GB if you take a lot of photos and videos. Apple also offers online iCloud storage, which can help free up your device's internal storage.

How full should iPhone storage be? ›

Like any other computer, as you fill up the "disk/memory", you might find apps run slower. The rule of thumb is to keep it no more than about 75% full, but it's a rough guide. I expect there are many out there with near full iPhones by now, and will comment on their experiences.

What is the best way to manage storage on iPhone? ›

Follow these simple steps and you'll be on your way to a less overloaded, more organized iPhone or iPad.
  1. Check Your Total Usage. ...
  2. Find Apps Taking Up the Most Space. ...
  3. Target Apps You Don't Use. ...
  4. Check Your Photo and Video Use. ...
  5. Remove Unwanted Music. ...
  6. Get (Rid of) the Message. ...
  7. Empty Your Browser's Cache. ...
  8. A Note About 'Other'

What consumes the most storage on iPhone? ›

By default, your photos and videos are stored on your device in their original, high-resolution version. This means that they use a lot of space on your iPhone and iPad. With iCloud Photos, you can make more space available on your device and still have access to your entire full-resolution collection wherever you go.

What happens to your iPhone when storage is full? ›

If your device is low on storage or has storage full, it automatically frees up space while installing an app, updating iOS or iPadOS, downloading music, recording videos, and more, To make more storage available, your device may also remove items that can be downloaded again or aren't needed anymore.

How much iCloud storage is free? ›

Is there a free version of iCloud? Yes. The first time you sign in to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with your Apple ID, you'll get 5GB of free iCloud storage. This allows you to back up your data and keep your personal information in sync across your devices and at iCloud.com.

How to use iCloud storage instead of iPhone storage? ›

Store your photos and videos in iCloud
  1. Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos.
  2. Tap Sync this iPhone. In iOS 15 or earlier, tap to turn on iCloud Photos.
  3. Select Optimize iPhone Storage to save space on your device.
Jan 12, 2024

Does deleting photos from iPhone delete from iCloud? ›

A: By default, deleting photos from your iPhone will not delete them from iCloud. However, if you have enabled iCloud Photos (previously known as iCloud Photo Library), deleting a photo from your iPhone will also remove it from iCloud and all other devices connected to your iCloud account.

Why is my iPhone storage full even with iCloud? ›

The key takeaway: iCloud stores your data, but it doesn't remove it from your device by default. Downloaded movies, music you haven't streamed in ages, and those "just-in-case" apps can silently gobble up space.

Does iCloud free up phone storage? ›

For this to work, you need to have the iCloud Photos setting turned on. All of your full-resolution photos and videos are then transferred over to your iCloud, while smaller, lower-resolution versions are kept on your device, to take up less space.

Do I need a 128GB or 256GB phone? ›

The 64GB is enough storage for a basic user. It would keep quite a number of your information and apps. 128GB is enough for an average user, while 256GB can be considered by a high-end user.

Is 128GB iPhone enough? ›

Is 128GB enough storage for an iPhone? That depends entirely on how you intend to use it. If you plan to load up some apps, but stream most of your entertainment media, then 128GB will be more than what you need. In fact, you could save some money by going with a model with less storage.

Is higher storage better for iPhone? ›

An Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad or Mac comes with a set amount of storage. The more storage your device has, the more music, apps, photos and other content you can store on that device.

Is an iPhone 15 worth it? ›

Yes, the iPhone 15 is worth it, although we reckon it depends on what phone you're upgrading from. Still rocking an iPhone XR or an 11 with a cracked screen and a blurry camera? You're going to find levelling up to the iPhone 15 a revelation.

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