Apple calls 128GB 'lots of storage' in new iPhone 15 ad

128GB doesn't cut it when many popular apps bloat to 10GB or more

There was a time when 128GB could fit the entire catalog of video games in existence, but as time passed, storage needs increased. However, as we approach four years with the 128GB base storage, it is clear that it isn't quite enough despite what Apple's latest ad might say.

The short 30-second ad shows a man considering deleting some of his photos, but they cry out "don't let go" as the song with the same title plays. The message — iPhone 15 has "lots of storage for lots of photos."

It doesn't feel like it was that long ago that we were complaining about the 64GB base storage, but that went away with iPhone 13 in 2021. Apple previously jumped from a base of 32GB to 64GB with the iPhone X in 2018.

So, here we are at the end of what seems like a three-year cycle for pushing storage higher, and Apple claims the iPhone 15 has plenty. For context, an average user can easily fill half of 128GB with app storage alone, let alone photos and video.

Thankfully, iCloud exists — if you're willing to pay. If 128GB on an iPhone seems low, 5GB free in iCloud is downright criminal.

From our experience, most people would rather delete precious photos and videos than pony up the cash for more iCloud storage. Those same people are more likely to buy base model configurations to save on the already expensive product.

Sure, Apple offers a 1TB iPhone 15 Pro, but that'll cost you $1,499 — $700 more expensive than the base model. Perhaps it would be better to take that $700 and pay for nearly six years of 2TB storage on iCloud+.

For anyone upgrading from a previous iPhone with 64GB, that 128GB will feel immense by comparison. But that feeling will be short-lived as that new iPhone with its 48MP camera gets packed with new high-resolution photos and video.

If Apple wants to make an ad bragging about storage, then it should push the base up to 256GB with the iPhone 16 in the fall. Or, at the least, finally, give customers more than 5GB of iCloud by default.