Apple's 'iPhone 7' to Offer 32GB, 128GB and 256GB Storage Options
Apple is, according to a recent report, set to offer its “iPhone 7” handsets in three storage options, and in doing so the company will double the base storage offered to iPhone customers: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB iPhone 7 handsets will be available to purchase later this year, the report notes.
At the other end of the scale, the most expensive iPhone 7 option will feature 256GB of on-board flash storage.
TrendForce (via MacRumors) has the news, and explains that the entry-level iPhone 7 handset will indeed feature 32GB of on-board flash storage, as opposed to the traditional 16GB. Though the advent of cloud-based mobile computing has allowed the 16GB iPhone to stay around a little longer than many expected, larger, more power-hungry iOS apps have pushed Apple to finally retire this configuration. At the other end of the scale, the most expensive iPhone 7 option will feature 256GB of on-board flash storage, meaning customers will have plenty of room for all their apps, photos, music, and videos. The 64GB configuration is also set to be replaced by a 128GB model.
The report explains:
Apple is likely to make changes to the storage options for iPhone 7. The 64GB version, which has been the most popular option in previous generations, may be discontinued and replaced by the 128GB version, though this decision has yet to be finalized. On the other hand, Apple is certain to raise the maximum storage option to 256GB so that iPhone 7 will have the highest NAND Flash density of the entire series.
This isn't the first time we've heard such a report, of course. Yesterday, a report out of Japan noted that the 16GB iPhone was indeed on its way out, and further rumors have discussed the chance of a 256GB iPhone 7 launching from Apple. Before now, this larger configuration had been said to be limited to the 5.5-inch Plus variant, alongside other exclusives including 3GB of RAM that'll power a Plus-only dual-lens camera configuration. The larger iPhone also traditionally offers customers a bigger battery and longer battery life as a result, too.
The move towards 256GB for Apple's iPhone line is an unsurprising development.
The move towards 256GB for Apple's iPhone line is an unsurprising development, especially since this storage configuration is available for the iPad. And removing the 16GB base model is something we've indeed been expecting for some time; it forms part of the smartphone's natural evolution, and it'll definitely benefit customers.
Before Apple's iPhone 7 is unveiled, we'll get a look at iOS 10, the operating system which'll power it, during WWDC 2016. Though, rather than enhancing the iPhone, our attention is more specifically centered around how iOS 10 is going to improve iPad Pro computing for owners of Apple's more powerful 9.7- and 12.9-inch tablets. It could be that iOS 10, at long last, sees iOS fork into two versions: one for the iPad (or even for the iPad Pro), and another for everything else.
Of course, we'll keep you posted with further information as we receive it.
