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Sketchy Chinese report claims iPhone 6s will drop 16 GB storage option, instead start at 32 GB

MIC Gadget is claiming that retail versions of the next-generation iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus do not come in 16 GB variants. Instead, the report suggests that the new iPhone will start at 32 GB, with 64 GB and 128 GB available as the higher tier options.

The report is based around sources within Foxconn that have supposedly seen product packaging. Apparently, stickers for a 16 GB phone simply do not exist.

Today we want to say goodbye to the 16GB’s iPhone. Some Foxconn insiders confirmed that new iPhone 6s (and we think all “future iPhone” like iPhone 7) will have 32GB and more capacity.

We can’t tell you from what Foxconn’s department we received information, but we can only say that the packaging of the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus don’t have sticker with “16GB capacity”, but 32, 64, 128.

As we reported earlier, internal production models used 16 GB flash storage but it is not unprecedented for Apple to use lower storage capacities for test units than what finally ships.

A common iPhone complaint for a while has been lack of storage, with the 16 GB base model easily filled with just a few apps, photos and other media. Apple is adding new technologies to iOS 8 and iOS 9 to make the system require less storage to be usable, such as App Thinning, but ultimately the best solution would be to offer iPhones with more storage. A 16 GB storage option was first introduced in 2008 for the original iPhone. It is probably time for a change.

It is also worth noting another possibility, that Apple copies the SKU’s available for the brand new iPod touch. The Touch is now offered in four storage capacities; 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. If Apple employed the same strategy for the next iPhone, the $199 base model would still be 16 GB but the 32 GB upgrade would cost just $50 more.

The new iPhone is expected to look almost identical to the existing hardware, with a focus on internal upgrades including a pressure-sensitive Force Touch display, faster A9 processor and SoC and an upgraded 12-megapixel camera. There have also been rumors of a new color option, potentially rose gold (to match the Apple Watch) or pink.

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Comments

  1. mpias3785 - 9 years ago

    If this is true, it is a long time coming. This should have been done when the 5s was introduced. The next logical step would be to completely rewrite iTunes so it is a suite of apps (like iWork and iLife), not an increasingly confusing and counterintuitive buggy mass of code.

    • galley99 - 9 years ago

      I agree! Apple Music should’ve been a separate app.

  2. taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

    About damn time.
    Customers deserve a better experience.
    Having to delete apps for system updates is ridiculous.

    • They actually fix that in ios 9,when you’re updating your software, and don’t have enough room, your phone will “delete” apps so you have enough storage for the update, and afterwards it will redownload the apps

      • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

        I know that, but it’s still not ideal for consumers.

  3. Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 9 years ago

    Finally.

  4. Wes - 9 years ago

    This is pretty much the only thing I want the next iPhone to have. I’m using a 64gb iPhone 6 just because I needed 20gb of space. A waste of 44 gb’s And a waste of $150 (yeah, that’s the price difference in Canada most of the time).

  5. scumbolt2014 - 9 years ago

    If anything thanks Apple so now the babies can stfu about only 16gb as the entry level. Except now you’re going to hear complaints that the entry level iPhone is “too expensive”. People know that an iDevice can’t have the storage expanded going into it, they shouldn’t blame the manufacturer they’re so short-sighted they build obsolescence into their iPhone the second its purchase because they limit the amount of storage it has. I’d personally never purchase an iPhone with 16gb or 32gb of storage.

    • mpias3785 - 9 years ago

      No need to be insulting, some people just don’t know any better. They get the cheapest model, bitch, learn and then buy their next model armed with more information. Ignorance is merely a lack of information and experience. Unlike stupidity, it’s easily cured.

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.