Key points
- All new iPhone 17 models (including iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air) now come standard with 256GB of storage.
- This marks a significant increase from the previous 128GB base storage offered since the iPhone 13.
- The change addresses user concerns about insufficient storage, especially with high-resolution photos and videos.
- While storage upgrades remain costly, the 256GB base offers a considerable improvement for most users.
Apple has finally addressed a long-standing user frustration by doubling the base storage on its new iPhone lineup. The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the new iPhone Air will all ship with a minimum of 256GB of storage – a significant upgrade from the 128GB offered in previous models since the iPhone 13.
This change follows years of user complaints about insufficient storage, particularly among users of Pro models with higher-resolution cameras and more demanding applications. The increased storage offers noticeable benefits, especially to users who record high-resolution video or use more demanding apps.
For years, 128GB felt insufficient, especially given the high-quality photos and videos users capture with iPhones. While the Pro Max models had already started at 256GB for the past two years, this disparity had caused frustration amongst users.
This update finally brings this benefit to the entire product line, eliminating the need to pay extra for what many would consider an essential storage feature. The move demonstrates Apple’s responsiveness to user feedback.
While paying extra for larger storage options remains an option, the increased base storage provides substantial relief for many users. While the cost of upgrading to 512GB or 1TB still represents a considerable additional expense on the already premium-priced devices (the Pro Max now maxing out at $1999), the 256GB starting point should significantly delay or even eliminate the frustrating “storage almost full” notifications that have plagued many iPhone users.
The announcement was part of Apple’s broader product reveal event, which also introduced the new AirPods Pro (3rd generation), Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. All new operating systems, including iOS 26, will be available as free upgrades on September 15th. This storage increase positions Apple competitively and will likely resonate positively with consumers.
