Why the iPhone 16 Pro Might Feature 2TB of Storage Capacity

Earlier this year, it was rumored that Apple’s adoption of advanced flash storage technology could enable the iPhone 16 Pro to support up to 2TB of storage capacity. While similar rumors have circulated in the past, and we didn’t see extended storage in the final product, this year might be different. Many experts anticipate that Apple will finally make the leap to 2TB with the iPhone 16 Pro models. If you’re hoping for this storage upgrade, let’s dive into what the rumors suggest and the potential downsides it could bring.

Will Apple Finally Release a 2TB iPhone 16 Pro? Here’s What the Latest Reports Indicate

Apple increased the base storage on the iPhone 15 Pro from 128GB to 256GB, but this upgrade came with a higher price tag. To raise storage to 2TB on the iPhone, rumors from January suggested Apple would use Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash memory. This technology would allow Apple to fit more storage into a smaller space while also reducing the cost compared to Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND. However, QLC storage does have some drawbacks—primarily slower read and write speeds compared to TLC. This could present some performance trade-offs for users.

We’ve seen similar reports in the past that predicted the iPhone 14 Pro would feature 2TB of storage, but that never materialized, and we are still limited to 1TB in the highest-end models. However, with ongoing advancements in technology, there’s reason to believe that the iPhone 16 Pro could finally deliver on this front, and additional evidence supports this possibility.

Recently, Apple was reported to be introducing a new JPEG-XL image format, along with its existing HEIF, JPEG, ProRAW, and ProRAW Max formats. These newer image formats require more storage, especially for high-quality photos and videos. Increasing the iPhone 16 Pro’s maximum storage from 1TB to 2TB would not only be beneficial but could be essential for users dealing with large media files.

The Capture Button and Camera Upgrades Could Drive the Need for More Storage

Another reason 2TB of storage might make sense is the introduction of the rumored “Capture Button” on the iPhone 16, designed specifically for camera-related functionalities. With a dedicated button on the side, Apple wants to encourage users to take more photos and record more videos. This push for more media creation would naturally increase storage demands, and offering a 2TB option could be the perfect solution to accommodate the growing needs of users.

Moreover, the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to come with several camera improvements, especially for the Pro models. These upgrades, paired with advanced editing tools powered by Apple’s AI, will take up more storage space. While 1TB might be enough for some users, many prefer to have extra breathing room, particularly when dealing with high-resolution images and 4K videos. The larger camera sensors in the iPhone 16 Pro will capture more data, which will result in larger file sizes, further supporting the case for 2TB of storage.

The Big Reveal: Will 2TB iPhones Be Announced?

All signs point toward the possibility that Apple might finally introduce a 2TB iPhone 16 Pro variant this year. The company is set to unveil the iPhone 16 Pro on September 9, alongside the Apple Watch X and the iPad mini 7. As always, we’ll provide full coverage of the event, so be sure to follow along for the latest updates.