When Samsung decided to remove the microSD slot from its flagship Galaxy smartphones in 2021, it sparked a shift in the storage options battleground. With no microSD expansion, Samsung’s top-tier phones matched Apple’s iPhones in storage capabilities, a change that some Samsung enthusiasts are yet to embrace fully.
Back in 2021, Apple even had the upper hand by not offering a comparable 1TB version for the Galaxy S21 range. This gap might widen as Apple is rumored to be planning storage upgrades for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, potentially introducing a substantial 2TB storage offering.
Reports from supply chain insiders suggest that the upcoming Pro models could feature up to 2TB of storage. It remains unclear what the base storage options will be for these models. Presently, all but the most premium iPhone 15 variant start with 128GB storage as the baseline, leaving consumers and industry watchers curious about the base offerings for the iPhone 16 series.
On the other hand, Samsung outfits its flagship offerings with a minimum of 256GB storage, except for select Galaxy S models and the Galaxy Z Flip foldable series. The latter could miss out on faster UFS storage technology in the 128GB variant. For those interested in 1TB storage, Samsung currently provides this option only on its Galaxy S Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold lines.
Despite the prospect of Apple advancing to a 2TB iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung might not immediately follow suit. There’s an observed tendency among Android device consumers to exhibit less interest in high-cost, high-storage variants as compared to iPhone purchasers.
Enhanced storage isn’t the only area where iPhones might gain an edge. Apple is also rumored to be considering an upgrade to its ultra-wide camera’s resolution. This change is one that some would like Samsung to emulate, considering the ultra-wide camera on the Galaxy S24 series is seen by some as needing an update.
Yet, nothing has been officially confirmed. Apple is known for its incremental approach to upgrading devices, suggesting that some speculation about the iPhone 16 range may not come to fruition.
