Apple encourages customers to opt for higher-priced models with advanced features and expanded storage. Storage upgrades allow users to keep more photos, videos, and apps, but they come at a high price. Apple charges between € 99 and € 499 for additional storage, significantly exceeding the actual cost of larger storage chips. Research indicates that doubling a device’s memory capacity increases CO2 emissions by approximately 20%. Despite environmental concerns, Apple continues to offer multiple storage tiers to maximize revenue.
Base storage levels across models
For most iPhones, base storage remains 128GB. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB, while the iPhone SE begins at just 64GB. High-end models allow upgrades to 1TB, whereas the SE is capped at 256GB. Recent CIRP data reveals a decline in Apple iPhone buyers opting for storage upgrades. In Q4 2024, 44% of Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max buyers upgraded from base storage, down from 48% in the previous year's equivalent models. Similarly, only 42% of Apple iPhone 16 and 16 Plus buyers purchased higher-storage versions, compared to 48% for the Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
Impact on the secondary market
Fewer storage upgrades in the primary market could influence the availability of refurbished devices with larger storage capacities. This trend may affect purchasing decisions for secondary market buyers looking to anticipate supply trends.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
