Apple’s base model iPhone 16 still comes with just 128GB of storage, leaving many buyers wondering if they should splurge on a larger storage capacity or opt for an iCloud+ subscription. Is it better to get the 256GB iPhone or the 200GB iCloud+ plan? Let’s compare both options to help you decide.
What is iCloud and Why is it Important for iPhones?
iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage service, allowing you to store photos, videos, contacts, notes, messages, documents, and more. It also helps backup and restore your iPhone, making your data accessible across all your linked Apple devices.
While you get 5GB of free iCloud storage, this often proves insufficient for iPhone backups and data-heavy apps. You’ll likely face prompts to purchase more storage when backing up large amounts of data.
This is where iCloud+ comes in, offering plans ranging from 50GB to a massive 12TB, with options at 200GB and 2TB in between. These plans start at $0.99 per month (we’ll discuss pricing in more detail later).
Enhanced Privacy with iCloud+
Beyond expanded storage, iCloud+ includes valuable privacy features, starting with end-to-end encryption. By enabling Advanced Data Protection in your iCloud settings, your uploaded data becomes completely secure and even Apple cannot access the contents of your encrypted data.
Other privacy features in iCloud+ include:
- Private Relay (which masks your internet browsing activity)
- Hide My Email (creates unique, disposable email addresses)
- Custom Email Domains (use a personalized domain with iCloud Mail)
- HomeKit Secure Video (encrypts and stores your home security camera footage).
Pros and Cons of iCloud Storage
Advantages:
- Keeps your data safe even if you lose your iPhone
- Access and share files across devices without manual transfers
- Option to encrypt your data for enhanced privacy
- Offload older photos and videos to iCloud to save device space
Disadvantages:
- Requires an internet connection to download and upload data
- iCloud+ plans come with monthly or annual fees
- You have less control over where and how your data is stored compared to offline storage
Buying iCloud+ vs. iPhone with Larger Storage: Cost-Benefit Analysis
First, let’s compare the pricing of different iPhone storage variants, using the newly released iPhone 16 as an example:
- iPhone 16 (128GB): $799
- iPhone 16 (256GB): $899
- iPhone 16 (512GB): $1099
- iPhone 16 Pro (128GB): $1099
- iPhone 16 Pro (256GB): $1199
- iPhone 16 Pro (512GB): $1399
Now, let’s look at iCloud+ pricing:
- iCloud+ 50GB: $0.99/ month (or $11.88 annually)
- iCloud+ 200GB: $2.99/month (or $35.99 annually)
- iCloud+ 2TB: $9.99/month (or $119.88 annually)
Upgrading your iPhone storage typically costs $100 to go from 128GB to 256GB, and about $200 to go from 256GB to 512GB. This translates to roughly $0.78 per additional gigabyte, a one-time cost.
The 200GB iCloud+ plan, comparable in storage to the 256GB iPhone upgrade, costs $2.99 per month or $35.88 annually, about $0.18 per gigabyte per year. This is a recurring cost.
Over five years, you’d pay $179.40 for 200GB of iCloud+ space.
iCloud+ Offers More Overall Storage
With a 256GB iPhone 16, you get 256GB of total storage (minus system files). But with a 128GB iPhone 16 and 200GB iCloud+, you effectively get 328GB of combined storage.
| Feature | A 256GB iPhone | A 128GB iPhone + 200GB iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Additional $100 for 256GB storage | No additional upfront cost |
| Recurring Cost | None | $35.88 per year for iCloud+ |
| Total Cost | $100 | $179.40 (for 5 years) |
| Cost per additional gigabyte | $0.78 | $0.90 (for 5 years) |
| Total Available Storage | 256GB (minus system files) | 328GB (minus system files) |
| Offline Accessibility | All data accessible offline | Limited offline access (most data may require internet connection) |
| Data Safety | Vulnerable to loss or damage of the device | Backed up to the cloud, reducing risk of data loss |
| Additional considerations | With more local storage, you can keep more apps and games on your device, as you can’t run them directly from the cloud | Features like iCloud Backup and Restore, WhatsApp Cloud backup, Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, HomeKit Secure Video |
The cost per additional gigabyte isn’t vastly different between the two options. In fact, it’s negligible if you consider that iCloud offers more than just storage; you also have automatic backups, data loss protection (and the peace of mind it brings along), and additional privacy features you may use.
So, What’s Better For You?
When deciding between an upper variant of the iPhone and iCloud+, ask yourself these questions:
- How much storage do you need?
If you use many apps or have a large photo and video library, you might need more storage. - How often do you need to access your files offline?
If you frequently travel or are in areas with poor internet connectivity, getting a larger local storage might be better. - How important is collaboration and file sharing to you?
If you often work with others on documents or projects, iCloud+ might be more convenient. - What’s your budget?
iCloud+ has a recurring cost, while a larger storage iPhone has a higher upfront cost.
Beware of These Caveats:
- Everything works smoothly as long as you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection. But if you’re in an area with poor internet connectivity, like on a camping trip or in a remote location, trying to access your cloud data can be frustrating.
- While Apple hasn’t changed the iCloud+ pricing for a while, it may increase the cost in the future, which could make the cost comparisons in this article outdated.
- While iCloud+ is excellent for backups and storing media and files, you can’t run apps directly from the cloud. With app sizes steadily increasing, 128GB of storage might fill up quickly. This could force you to offload apps to iCloud, which isn’t ideal if you need to use them immediately later.
Wrapping Up: iCloud vs. iPhone Local Storage
Whether to purchase an iPhone with higher storage or get an iCloud subscription boils down to your usage patterns and priorities. If you’re often without reliable internet or need all your data offline, a 256GB (or higher) iPhone might be better.
However, for most users, a 128GB iPhone with 200GB iCloud+ offers more overall storage, backup, and security features, and added privacy benefits. While the upfront cost is lower, remember the ongoing iCloud+ subscription fee accumulates over time.
Weigh the pros and cons, consider your needs and priorities, and make the choice that’s right for you. Personally, I’d opt for the higher-storage iPhone. I’m not always on WiFi and frequently travel to places with limited connectivity. Local storage provides the flexibility I need in those situations.
