Do NOT buy a 16gb iPhone 6S

[lucia]

1. iOS installation will run out 4gb, actually leaving 12gb storage;
2. 12 MP photos & 4K videos take up larger cost;
3. Music/movie streaming, game, chunk of apps...

:twisted: Is 16gb iPhone enough for you guys?

The original article: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/10/why-apple-should-not-be-selling-16gb-iphone-6s-6s-plus

 

[BigDaveX]

Personally I think they only keep the 16GB model around for people who just intend to use it for the basic smartphone functions (calls, texts, web browsing, e-mail) and don't really care about filling it with apps and multimedia files. Though why you'd need a brand new iPhone for that is a different matter...

 

[StinkyPinky]

It's just a way for Apple to sneak some more dollars from people. They know 16gb is paltry for 4K video etc, so it's just more money by stealth.

A bit like the useless 8gb Iphone 5C.

 

[Rakehellion]

There's no reason anyone should ever record a video at 4K. Though I am a bit worried about live photos.

 

[Red Storm]

Personally I think they only keep the 16GB model around for people who just intend to use it for the basic smartphone functions (calls, texts, web browsing, e-mail) and don't really care about filling it with apps and multimedia files. Though why you'd need a brand new iPhone for that is a different matter...

Let's be real, the only reason why the base isn't 32GB is because Apple knows it can and will push a lot of people into forking over an extra $100 for the 64GB. If 32GB was the base a lot less people would pay the extra $100.

 

[ControlD]

Honestly I could probably live with a 16GB iPhone for my usage. I don't really keep any media local on my phone these days and I don't record a ton of video.

The problem I have with the 16GB devices is when it comes to installing iOS updates. It sucks having to clear a bunch of space simply to install the latest version of the operating system, and that reason alone keeps me away from the 16GB devices these days.

 

[Eug]

There's no reason anyone should ever record a video at 4K.

Uh, what?

I'm just disappointed they're not h.265.

Though I am a bit worried about live photos.

They're about twice the normal size.

 

[mmntech]

Let's be real, the only reason why the base isn't 32GB is because Apple knows it can and will push a lot of people into forking over an extra $100 for the 64GB. If 32GB was the base a lot less people would pay the extra $100.

Yep, and they've been playing that game for a very long time now. Long before the iPhone was even a twinkle in Steve's eye. Sell the base model severely cut down RAM and storage to upsell expensive upgrades.

16GB is as useless as udders on a bull these days, and Apple is starting to look real chintzy for hanging on to it. Even under light use, it's very easy to bump up against its storage limits. So maybe they'll finally dump it with the iPhone 7. I'm not holding my breath though. I guess if you don't like it, there's plenty of other options. This has long been my other pet peeve about iOS devices. No storage expansion.


As for 4K video, I can't imagine how good it will look on a sensor that small.

 

[boomhower]

Let's be real, the only reason why the base isn't 32GB is because Apple knows it can and will push a lot of people into forking over an extra $100 for the 64GB. If 32GB was the base a lot less people would pay the extra $100.

Bingo. And to up sell the iCloud and iTunes Match.

 

[Eug]

4K on phone sensors usually looks significantly better than 1080p. Sure the 1080p isn't great 1080p but that's besides the point.

As for storage, on my 5s 32 GB, I am currently using 18 GB out of my 26.5 GB. However my wife only has a 16 GB iPhone 5 and she's ok with it. I think 16 GB as a minimum is actually Ok but not at this pricing. The 6s is a premium device with a price to reflect it, so it should come with at least 32 GB.

 

[maddogchen]

Isn't telling people not to buy the 16 gb just playing into Apple's hands? Helping them profit more?

 

[Eug]

Isn't telling people not to buy the 16 gb just playing into Apple's hands? Helping them profit more?

No, it's warning them that 16 GB can be quite limiting for a lot of people, myself included. They can decide if they want to spend the extra cash to get the 64 GB model or suffer with the 16 GB, or else go to a competitor's phone.

For my wife, 16 is OK since she doesn't use big heavy apps, and all the usage that she has is from photos and videos she takes. I just have to empty out the storage every few months.

However, for her 6s, I made sure she got the 64 GB, because I'll have to empty it out less often, and because she'll be shooting Live Photos, which I'm guessing might average around 9-10 MB each. She may also end up shooting 4k video.

 

[maddogchen]

how much does it really cost Apple for the jump from 16 GB to 64 GB? Since these flash memory prices keep on falling is it $10 out of the $100 it charges now?

 

[JAG87]

4K on phone sensors usually looks significantly better than 1080p. Sure the 1080p isn't great 1080p but that's besides the point.

Just so people are aware, 4K has bigger issues than sensor size or storage space. On the iPhone 6S it does not have any digital or "cinematic" stabilization, it relies solely on OIS, which is actually pretty typical even in other flagship smartphones.

OIS alone is nowhere near as stable and it warps frames to hell and back if you don't have a steady hand (you will vomit when you see it), which is impossible to fix in post. If you care at all about your video, you will still shoot in stabilized 1080p. 4K is not ready yet on smartphones...

 

[Eug]

Just so people are aware, 4K has bigger issues than sensor size or storage space. On the iPhone 6S it does not have any digital or "cinematic" stabilization, it relies solely on OIS, which is actually pretty typical even in other flagship smartphones.

OIS alone is nowhere near as stable and it warps frames to hell and back if you don't have a steady hand (you will vomit when you see it), which is impossible to fix in post. If you care at all about your video, you will still shoot in stabilized 1080p. 4K is not ready yet on smartphones...

There is no optical image stabilization on the 6s.

 

[Eug]

BTW, here are the specs.

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/09/apple-iphone-6s-plus-4k-video-12-megapixel-photo-price-cost

A9 chip with 64-bit architecture
6S Plus: 5.5" 1920 x 1080 Display, 401 ppi and 6S: 4.7" 1334 x 750 Display, 326 ppi (Full sRGB standard)
4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps
1080p at 30fps or 60fps
Time-lapse video with stabilization
Cinematic video stabilization
Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps
12-megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels (50% More Autofocus Pixels)
f/2.2 Aperture Lens
Optical Image Stabilization on 6S Plus Only
Panorama (up to 63 megapixels)
Live Photos: Take a photo like normal, and it gives you a little snippet of video, almost bringing the photo alive
Improving color on the sensor was a major focus (technologies like deep trench isolation)

 

[manly]

how much does it really cost Apple for the jump from 16 GB to 64 GB? Since these flash memory prices keep on falling is it $10 out of the $100 it charges now?

probably less than $10.

Actually most consumers aren't aware that storage capacity is a big issue so they'll buy the default capacity. You can check the average sale price (ASP) of iPhones to confirm this.

So even if Apple does not capture the additional $100 in revenue, the "gimped" models will have planned obsolescence built in. Let's hope that in a couple years when the 7S comes out, it will finally start at 32 GB...

Even as a longtime Apple shareholder, I find this sales behavior almost despicable.

 

[KeithP]

Seems to me if a user doesn't install a lot of apps and has no use for 4K video a 16GB iPhone would be fine. I would be willing to bet a lot of older iOS users would fall into that category.

There is no question their strategy is designed to pad their bottom line but I wouldn't say "don't buy a 16GB iPhone". That is silly. Understand your needs and buy accordingly.

-KeithP

 

[JAG87]

BTW, here are the specs.

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/09/apple-iphone-6s-plus-4k-video-12-megapixel-photo-price-cost

A9 chip with 64-bit architecture
6S Plus: 5.5" 1920 x 1080 Display, 401 ppi and 6S: 4.7" 1334 x 750 Display, 326 ppi (Full sRGB standard)
4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps
1080p at 30fps or 60fps
Time-lapse video with stabilization
Cinematic video stabilization
Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps
12-megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels (50% More Autofocus Pixels)
f/2.2 Aperture Lens
Optical Image Stabilization on 6S Plus Only
Panorama (up to 63 megapixels)
Live Photos: Take a photo like normal, and it gives you a little snippet of video, almost bringing the photo alive
Improving color on the sensor was a major focus (technologies like deep trench isolation)

I meant 6s plus, sorry I'm used to that because that's what I have

http://www.apple.com/ca/iphone-6s/specs/

Scroll down to video recording, cinematic is only available for 720 and 1080. So 4K on the 6s has zero stabilization at all.

 

[Eug]

Good pickup. Maybe another reason to wait for the iPhone 7.

(I'm looking for excuses to wait, as buying two 6s iPhones is too hard on the pocketbook.)

Oh and maybe the 7 will get USB 3 too (assuming the 6s doesn't).

One point I've noted though is that cameras do 1080p will also do 720p better than previous iterations that max out at 720p. So, I'm hoping that the 6s will do 1080p better than the 6 does 1080p.

Maybe I'll set my wife's phone up to default to 1080p with digital stabilization. She definitely doesn't have a steady hand.

 

[JimKiler]

Yep, and they've been playing that game for a very long time now. Long before the iPhone was even a twinkle in Steve's eye. Sell the base model severely cut down RAM and storage to upsell expensive upgrades.

16GB is as useless as udders on a bull these days, and Apple is starting to look real chintzy for hanging on to it. Even under light use, it's very easy to bump up against its storage limits. So maybe they'll finally dump it with the iPhone 7. I'm not holding my breath though. I guess if you don't like it, there's plenty of other options. This has long been my other pet peeve about iOS devices. No storage expansion.


As for 4K video, I can't imagine how good it will look on a sensor that small.

On Andriod even with a micro SD card my phone and tablet are getting low storage errors when app and OS updates are trying to download. I can fix it by clearing cache which is usually just under 2GB. But even with media on a microSD i cannot get enough space. Too many apps and google system apps cannot be moved to the SD card. 3rd Party apps can but not a lot of them like MS Office or Hcomm an office alternative and they are large apps.

 

[JAG87]

Maybe I'll set my wife's phone up to default to 1080p with digital stabilization. She definitely doesn't have a steady hand.

Nobody does. And recording without stabilization will make for a terrible end result. And the bigger the screen, the worse the result is. Lol.

 

[Eug]

Nobody does. And recording without stabilization will make for a terrible end result.

I've seen software that can do it after the fact, but it's an extra step and a royal PITA.

 

[JAG87]

I've seen software that can do it after the fact, but it's an extra step and a royal PITA.

Sure you can, but like you said it's a PITA, and it involves re-encoding, which is a loss of quality. And if you plan to keep your video in 4K, you better have a fully loaded Mac Pro, or a heck of a lot of time on your hands.

 

[mmntech]

On Andriod even with a micro SD card my phone and tablet are getting low storage errors when app and OS updates are trying to download. I can fix it by clearing cache which is usually just under 2GB. But even with media on a microSD i cannot get enough space. Too many apps and google system apps cannot be moved to the SD card. 3rd Party apps can but not a lot of them like MS Office or Hcomm an office alternative and they are large apps.

True enough. Android is an "open" platform.
At least you can store your media on the SD card, which leaves more room for apps on internal storage.