Apple iPhone 7 Rumored To Have 32GB Storage Minimum, Max Out At 256GB

A leaked internal order sheet from what's purported to be a NAND flash memory component supplier suggests that Apple may finally bump the base storage on its next iPhone line from 16GB to 32GB. It also indicates that the iPhone 7 will ship with 128GB and 256GB storage options, though it's not clear if that's in addition to a 64GB SKU or that might be dropped as well.

Regardless of what happens to the 64GB SKU, bumping up the base model from 16GB to 32GB is a move that's long overdue, especially since the iPhone 7 isn't likely to feature expandable physical storage, such as a microSD card slot. In this era of high resolution photos, video sharing, and growing growing playlists for offline listening, having just 16GB of storage on a flagship device seems lazy at best, and greedy at worst.

While you never know when it comes to rumors and leaked documents, it's feasible that Apple would kick things off with 32GB instead of 16GB while keeping prices the same. The cost of NAND flash memory has continued to fall in recent years, and with Apple's size and influence, it shouldn't have much trouble negotiating a supply contract that allows it to upgrade storage without taking a big hit to its bottom line. Of course, that's just speculation on our part.

At present here's what Apple offers (retails prices shown):

• 16GB iPhone 6s: $649
• 64GB iPhone 6s: $749
• 128GB iPhone 6s: $849
• 16GB iPhone 6s Plus: $749
• 64GB iPhone 6s Plus: $849
• 128GB iPhone 6s Plus: $949

Doubling the amount of base storage might also help alleviate some of the inevitable anger over Apple's rumored decision to ditch the iPhone's 3.5mm audio jack in favor of using the Lightning port for headphones (assuming prices don't jump as a result). Not that the two (storage and audio jack) are related in any way, but it would be an olive branch of sorts.

In any event we should find out before too long. It's expected that Apple will unveil its next generation of iPhone models on September 7.