Both iPhone 16 Pro Models to Feature 256GB Base Storage, Claims Sketchy Rumor [Update: Retracted]

[MacRumors]

Update: The Mac Observer has since retracted its article with an apology and stopped collaborating with the source of the rumor, which turned out to be fake.



Apple will allegedly offer both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with a minimum 256GB of storage, doing away with the 128GB starting option on its smaller Pro model for the first time.

Currently, Apple's 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 and comes with the minimum 128GB of storage, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with a minimum 256GB of storage.

However, according to The Mac Observer, Apple will bump up the base storage of the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro to 256GB to match the minimum capacity of the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the starting price of Apple's smaller Pro model will remain at $999.

The source of the alleged "leak" has no recent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so we are filing this one under sketchy. Having said that, the claim is not outside the realm of possibility. If Apple drops 128GB as the base on the iPhone 16 Pro, that will leave three Pro storage options across the board: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

• Is 128GB Enough iPhone Storage?

In 2018, Apple's iPhone X came with 64GB, an entry-level storage tier that persisted in successive premium device generations until the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020, when Apple adopted 128GB as the new baseline. The next year saw all iPhone 13 models offered with a minimum 128GB. If Apple makes 256GB the new minimum across its premium devices this year, we could well see it reach all models in 2025.

At the other end of the scale, a rumor in January out of Korea claimed that both iPhone 16 Pro models will be available with double the maximum storage capacity as the iPhone 15 Pro devices, increasing from 1TB to 2TB.

The maximum storage increase is said to be a result of Apple's switch to higher-density Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash for higher storage models. Apple's use of QLC NAND could allow Apple to fit more storage into a smaller space and it is less expensive than Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND, which current iPhones use.

• Every iPhone 16 Rumor We've Covered So Far

This year's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to be getting bigger display sizes, increasing to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The new display sizes will be the largest ever for the iPhone, and should also increase the physical space for internal components and parts.

Article corrected to reflect iPhone 12 Pro jump to 128GB base storage. Apologies for the original error.

Article Link: Both iPhone 16 Pro Models to Feature 256GB Base Storage, Claims Sketchy Rumor [Update: Retracted]

 

[branca]

Why not with computers?

 

[JorgeVR]

I like how this one is a claim from an "Sketchy Rumor"

 

[LoveTo]

I hope this turns out to be true. With this, we’d finally have ProRes available uniformly across the Pro lineup, without any limitations only on one storage option.

 

[kiranmk2]

It's also worth noting that in 2018, Apple's premium iPhone X came with 64GB, an entry-level storage tier that persisted in successive generations until the iPhone 13 in 2021, when Apple adopted 128GB as the new baseline. If Apple makes 256GB the new minimum across its premium devices, it could be settling into a pattern of doubling the minimum capacity every three years.

Apple actually bumped the baseline iPhone Pro from 64 GB to 128 GB with the iPhone 12 Pro... The iPhone 13 was when the non-pro line got bumped to 128 GB.

 

[ric22]

Why's it a "sketchy" rumour? It should have 256GB minimum anyway. Apple can afford the extra 50 cents it costs...

 

[ifxf]

If they are going to support on device AI, they may need the space for their AI data.

 

[magicschoolbus]

It’s about time really.

 

[Radeon85]

Should have had 256GB as the base the moment ProRes wouldn't work with the 128GB capacity, but as usual Apple wanted to penny pinch instead and screw over their customers.

Wondering if this will be the year of the 2TB iPhone.

 

[NachoNoir]

Wouldn't it be fun if Pro phones got 256GB base storage before Macs got 512GB (or 1TB in Pro models)?

Apple's policy for base SSD sizes has always been greedy; with this, it'd be just laughable.

 

[Account25476]

It doesn't matter. Until they adapt to the competitor base, a segment (increasingly larger over the years) of customers will abandon them.

What a wasted of potential...

 

[aknabi]

Makes sense (and guessing they'll also do a 50-100 price bump).

As an aside I'm calling dibs on "Sketchy Rumor" as my rapper name.

 

[foobarbaz]

Wouldn't it be fun if Pro phones got 256GB base storage before Macs got 512GB (or 1TB in Pro models)?

I mean, it already happened with RAM, didn't it?

 

[MayaUser]

Why not with computers?

computers also starts with 256
Maybe you wanted to say that now is time for computers to start with 512

 

[MayaUser]

It’s about time really.

about time to start with 256 on phones and not 512 on macs?!

 

[picpicmac]

I like how this one is an claim from an "Sketchy Rumor"

What would a rumor be if it was not "sketchy"?

Journalism perhaps?

But rumor mongering is what people want so that is what they get.

 

[picpicmac]

The maximum storage increase is said to be a result of Apple's switch to higher-density Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash for higher storage models.

Cue the folk who are going to whine about reduced longevity of the SSD because of QLC in 3...2...1....

 

[SpotOnT]

Apple keeps increasing RAM and SSD on their iPhones, a device that can’t even really multitask.

Meanwhile their Macs haven’t had a SSD or RAM upgrade in like what, nearly a decade?

Kind of pathetic.

 

[ediks]

why are you citing Leaksapplepro who literally just makes up everything? He is a fraud. Once he claimed that he was at the recording of the event in the Apple Park, completely fraud

 

[tridley68]

I think it should be 1TB starting for all Pro Max 😎

 

[Alex Cai]

Now they have a excuse to raise the price😅

 

[MayaUser]

I think it should be 1TB starting for all Pro Max 😎

and then you will cry about $1599 starting price of the PRO MAX

 

[apocalyarts]

It would make sense, since they advertise ProRes, but it's not clear to the customer that it's not fully working with the 128GB Model.

 

[ric22]

and then you will cry about $1599 starting price of the PRO MAX

I think he was trying to make the point that SSDs are so incredibly cheap that a device the price of a base iPhone Pro Max could easily incorporate a 1TB disk without a price increase being necessary.

 

[MayaUser]

I think he was trying to make the point that SSDs are so incredibly cheap that a device the price of a base iPhone Pro Max could easily incorporate a 1TB disk without a price increase being necessary.

maybe in our heads..not on Apples... we should stop fooling ourselves...Apple has these prices for a long time ago
15Pro max starting with 256 base=price increased at least the price increase was only by $100
For apple now double the 128ssd to 256 is just $100 but double from 256 to 512 is still $200