iPhone 16 Pro Models to Start at 256GB Base Storage, Claims TrendForce

According to a new report from research firm TrendForce, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will both come with a base storage of 256GB, eliminating the 128GB option (via MacRumors).

Currently, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro is available with 128GB of storage, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a base storage of 256GB. However, with the iPhone 16 Pro series, Apple appears set to eliminate the 128GB tier altogether.

The decision to raise the base storage to 256GB follows the precedent set by Apple with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Ahead of its launch, rumours speculated that Apple might increase the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

While the price did jump, the increase was tied to Apple discontinuing the 128GB storage option, meaning the 256GB variant maintained the same price as its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

TrendForce believes Apple will replicate this pricing strategy with the iPhone 16 Pro series, especially in light of new hardware features, such as the expected inclusion of the tetraprism periscope lens, which was previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

By offering 256GB as the base storage option, Apple can offset the costs of these more expensive components without raising the perceived price of the device, a move that could be critical in maintaining its competitive edge in the market.

Apple has gradually increased the entry-level storage of its premium iPhones over the years. In 2018, the iPhone X came with 64GB of storage as standard, which remained the baseline until the iPhone 12 Pro was released in 2020 with 128GB as the new minimum.

If Apple proceeds with making 256GB the standard for its Pro models in 2024, it’s possible that the entire iPhone lineup could adopt this base storage by 2025.

Apple is set to unveil the new iPhone 16 lineup during its special event on Monday, September 9, 2024, with the tagline “It’s Glowtime.” This tagline is believed to reference a new Siri interface powered by Apple Intelligence, which may debut alongside the iPhone 16 series.