Short answer
128 GB is enough for most people. Choose 64 GB only if you mostly call, text and use a few apps and keep photos in the cloud; choose 256 GB if you film a lot of video, play big games or want years of photos on the phone. iPhone storage can't be added later, so if in doubt, go one size up.
Which size is right for you?
| Storage | Good for | Not for |
|---|---|---|
| 64 GB | Calls, messages, a handful of apps, photos backed up to the cloud | Video, big games, offline music |
| 128 GB | Most people: apps, thousands of photos, some video | Lots of 4K video kept on the phone |
| 256 GB | Lots of video, big games, years of photos on the phone | — |
| 512 GB and up | Filming in 4K or ProRes, large offline libraries | Anyone who keeps photos in the cloud |
What fills an iPhone
- Video is the big one. iPhone's own figures (Settings > Camera > Record Video): about 60 MB a minute at 1080p 30 fps, and about 400 MB a minute at 4K 60 fps.
- Games can take several GB each.
- Messages with years of photos and videos add up.
- iOS and its updates need room too, so a full phone can struggle to update.
To see what's using yours: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
What the next size up costs today
Same phone, same grade, same battery band: an iPhone 16 Pro in Good condition with 90%+ battery is $595 with 128 GB and $655 with 256 GB. That's $60 more for double the space.
Prices by storage, today
| Model | 64 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | — | $535 | $655 | — |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | — | — | $635 | — |
| iPhone 15 Pro | — | $470 | $440 | — |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | — | — | $500 | $595 |
| iPhone 15 | — | $305 | — | — |
| iPhone 14 | — | $245 | — | — |
| iPhone SE 2022 | $110 | — | — | — |
Lowest price for a graded phone (Excellent, Good or Fair) with battery health 80% or more. "—" means none in stock or the model doesn't come in that size. Updated every night.
What our phones have
Share of the phones in stock today by storage.
Common questions
How much iPhone storage do I need?
128 GB is enough for most people. 64 GB suits light use with photos in the cloud; 256 GB suits lots of video, big games or years of photos on the phone.
Is 64 GB enough for an iPhone?
Only for light use: calls, messages, a few apps and photos backed up to the cloud. Video and games fill it quickly.
Is 128 GB enough?
Yes, for most people, including thousands of photos and some video.
Should I get 256 GB?
If you film a lot, play big games or want to keep years of photos and videos on the phone, yes.
Can I add storage to an iPhone later?
No. iPhones have no memory card slot, so choose the size you'll need for as long as you keep it. Cloud storage can help.
How much space does a minute of video take?
About 60 MB at 1080p 30 fps and about 400 MB at 4K 60 fps, according to iPhone's camera settings.
Does storage size change the price much?
It depends on the model. Today an iPhone 16 Pro in Good condition costs $60 more with 256 GB than with 128 GB.