Apple is speculated to double the base storage on its upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max phones in exchange for price hike rumors.
- What is happening? Some people are nodding to TrendForce’s June report, in which the research firm predicted that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max would ship with 256 gigabytes of base storage instead of 128.
- Why care? Because TrendForce has a decent track record, and because analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suspects that Apple might raise the price of the iPhone 14 Pros.
- What to do? Enjoy your regular programming until September. That’s when we’ll know for sure if the iPhone 14 Pro models will cost more and if Apple can offer more storage in exchange for price hike rumors.
How much base storage will the iPhone 14 Pro have?
The iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 start at 128GB of base storage, with 256GB and 512GB models available. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. So what are the chances that Apple will offer even more base storage with the iPhone 14 Pro family?
Well, the basis for this speculation is a June TrendForce report that predicts that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will offer double the base storage. One caveat: The chart accompanying this report notes that the exact storage volumes were to be determined (TBC) at a later date. Read: How to move multiple apps at the same time
Price increase for iPhone 14 Pro models
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that the average selling price of iPhone 14 Pro models will rise by around fifteen percent overall.
As a result, consumers could face a shock if the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max start at $1,099 and $1,199 with 256GB of storage. In comparison, the 128GB iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max cost between $999 and $1,099, while their 256GB counterparts run between $1,099 and $1,199.
Our opinion: Apple’s classic move
You might argue that if the iPhone 14 Pro starts at $1,099 with 256GB of storage, then that’s not really a price increase, because that’s the same amount of money you pay today for a 256GB iPhone 13 Pro model.
And if 256GB becomes the new base storage tier, then that’s the minimum amount of money buyers will have to pay because you’ve just slaughtered the more affordable 128GB version. However, from the point of view of Tim Cook and his assistants, ditching the base 128GB storage tier is a great way to drive up the price.
How about a 2TB model?
Assuming TrendForce is right and the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max do indeed start at 256 gigabytes of storage, then maybe they’ll top two terabytes of storage instead of one? On the other hand, Apple could raise the price of the iPhone 14 Pro without increasing the base storage.
This would be very bad news for consumers whose purchasing power is declining due to inflation. And inflation, combined with supply and logistics issues, could be why Apple is rumored to be raising prices on iPhone 14 Pro models. Read: 10 Free Ways to Send Large Videos and Files from iPhone
When will Apple announce the iPhone 14 family?
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 14 family in September.
The Apple community expects four models this year, two with 6.1-inch screens and two with 6.7-inch screens, but this time it’s not an iPhone mini.
Rumor has it that the iPhone 14 Pro is even more different than its non-professional counterparts thanks to exclusive features such as the A16 Bionic chip, a 48MP rear camera with 8K video recording, an always-on display, and other benefits.