How Much Storage Should I Get for My Next Phone?

Choosing the right storage capacity for your phone can have a significant impact on your overall user experience. This guide will help you decide which storage option is right for you by considering how you use your phone—whether for email, browsing, music, gaming, or other activities.

Identify Your Phone Usage

Before choosing your phone’s storage capacity, ask yourself which of the following activities you regularly engage in:

Email Web Browsing Gaming Music Library Pickle Ball Videos Blinkist Mapping Runs Google Maps Amazon Shopping Home Automation

If you engage in most of these activities, it is recommended to opt for the maximum storage—128GB or above. On the other hand, if you only use a few of these features, a lower storage option like 64GB might suffice.

Assess Your Current Needs

The storage requirements can vary significantly depending on your current needs. Apple provides precise dimensions for each iPhone model, helping you understand the exact amount of space you need. Here's a breakdown of the recommended storage options:

32GB

This is considered very limited storage. It might be enough only if you absolutely do not use your phone for anything other than watching movies or doing social media. Most people will find this capacity insufficient.

64GB

Suitable for some average users, but it's still recommended to monitor your storage usage, especially when downloading larger apps.

128GB

Adequate for most average users, even those who choose to download a few movies or apps.

256GB

A safe option for most people, as it will take some time to fill up unless a significant number of movies or large apps are downloaded within a short period.

512GB and 1TB

Users who frequently download apps and watch movies should consider these options for long-term use. With 1TB, you should never need to worry about storage space.

iPhone Storage Capacity Options

Here are the available iPhone storage capacity options and their descriptions:

32GB: Limited local storage, suitable for basic use. 64GB: Adequate for most users, but watch your storage usage if you plan to download larger apps. 128GB: Good enough for most users, even those who download a few movies. 256GB: Safe option, taking some time to fill up. 512GB: Long-term storage solution, reducing the need for frequent cleaning. 1TB: Ideal for users who frequently download apps and watch movies. Ensures ample storage for future needs.

Evaluating Current Usage

It's important to evaluate your current storage usage to determine the right capacity for your new phone. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Go to your phone's settings app. Chase down the General section to “iPhone Storage.” This will show you graphically what you currently use.

In my case, I have about 45 GB of music due to pre-retirement, pre-COVID, where I spent a lot of time flying and wanted an assortment of music. Additionally, I have 33,000 photos, which don't take up much space because Apple is clever about keeping smaller thumbnails that download a bigger version as needed.

Net-net, media is my biggest user. If I were a gamer or more of a news junkie, those activities might take more space. As it is, I have many seldom-used apps that take around 40GB. The iPhone is clever about erasing seldom-used apps if it needs space and restoring them once you want to use them again, provided you have network access.

Ensure Future Needs

When setting your storage amount, make sure you have enough headroom for new music, articles, and other content. It's a low-paying job to fiddle with storage, but the payoff can be significant. If you spend an extra $100 to have a bit more storage, you could save yourself many hours over the lifetime of your device. Penny-wise frugality can be pound-foolish; don't waste your time being a janitor for your equipment.