iPhone storage upgrades can be expensive, but there's no way to add storage after purchase. It's important to pick the right option at checkout.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro series are compelling choices for people coming from older devices, but customers may be unsure what storage size to purchase. The minimum storage options for new iPhones are significantly larger than past models, which may seem like an automatic upgrade. For example, the iPhone XR — released just a few years ago in 2018 — shipped with a base storage of 64 gigabytes. By comparison, the latest iPhone 14 ships with 128 gigabytes of storage, double the iPhone XR's storage. However, the increase in base storage correlates to increased file sizes for applications, photos, and media — so it's essential to pick the right storage size.
The decision is even more crucial for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. Both of Apple's flagship smartphones have a 'Pro' camera system that shoots higher-quality photos. This year, a new 48-megapixel primary sensor is paired with telephoto and ultra-wide lenses. In addition, both iPhones can shoot pictures and videos in ProRaw, a professional photo format that produces file sizes that are ten times larger — on average — than a traditional photo. With photo and video file sizes increasing on all models, storing images on the device requires considerable storage.
Related: Apple ProRaw — When You Should (And Shouldn't) Take Photos With It
In general, upgrading an iPhone's storage is better to ensure it lasts years into the future. However, the storage amount required largely depends on how much a user stores in the cloud. Services like iCloud and Google Photos can upload photos and videos to the cloud to save storage on the device. The same premise applies to files and media, which can be stored in iCloud or Google Drive. Some of these options come at a monthly fee, so it may be a choice between upgrading an iPhone's storage or paying for cloud storage space. If users primarily store files in the cloud, they might get away with the base amount of storage on the iPhone 14.
The base storage for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus is 128 gigabytes, costing $799 and $899, respectively. Users can upgrade storage to 256 gigabytes for an additional $100 and 512 gigabytes for an additional $300 charge. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max also start at 128 gigabytes of storage, costing $999 and $1099, respectively. Again, customers can upgrade storage to 256 gigabytes for an additional $100, 512 gigabytes for an additional $300, and one terabyte for an additional $500 charge.
The best way to figure out how much storage a user will need is to check the storage usage on their current device. On an iPhone, open up the Settings app and scroll down to the 'General' tab. Then, select 'iPhone Storage.' This page will show a breakdown of the iPhone's storage uses, highlighting everything from photos to system data. Users who have already filled over half of their current storage should upgrade to the next storage tier. That means if more than half of a 128-gigabyte iPhone has been filled, users should pick the 256-gigabyte option for their next iPhone. Since it's impossible to add additional storage after purchase, it's crucial to choose the right amount of storage for an iPhone 14 at checkout.
Brady Snyder is a journalism student at St. John's University specializing in Apple, wearables, and audio. Based in New York City, he reviews consumer technology, software, and services. Brady is well-versed in iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS — but experiments with Android and Windows as needed. He believes that competition between technology companies facilitates progress, and cautions against sticking to one particular brand or device. Instead, Brady tests out any tech product or service he can get his hands on, and aids buyers in making an informed decision about what is best for their needs. He's currently flipping into the future with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, but the Apple Watch's incredible fitness features might have him coming back to the iPhone in no time. Brady's always searching for the best and most productive workflow with his technology, regardless of the platform he is currently using.