How much iPhone storage do you really need?

Storage cannot be upgraded later, so it pays to choose well. A simple guide based on how you use your phone.

An iPhone's storage is fixed for life, and it also affects resale value. Use this quick guide to pick the right capacity. A quick guide 128 GB — calls, messages, social media and photos that you back up to iCloud. Good for light users. 256 GB — the sweet spot for most people: lots of photos, some 4K video, games and offline music. 512 GB — you film a lot of 4K video, keep large games or travel without reliable Wi-Fi. 1 TB and more — creators who shoot high-quality video on the phone and keep it there. Video fills storage fastest One minute of 4K video at 60 frames per second takes roughly 400 MB. Ten minutes a week adds up to about 200 GB in a year. If you film your children, events or travel, go one size up. Check what you use today On your current phone open Settings → General → iPhone Storage . Take the used amount, double it to cover the next few years, and choose the next capacity above that. Our tip The price step from 128 GB to 256 GB is usually small compared with paying for extra iCloud storage for years. Compare capacities and prices on any iPhone 17 page.