IPhone 16 Pro Comes With 2TB Storage Options, Thanks To QLC Technology

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will double their storage capacity to 2TB. (photo: x @theapplehub)

JAKARTA - Approaching the launch of the iPhone 16, speculation about the greater storage capacity in the iPhone 16 Pro model is increasingly being heard. According to a January report, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will double their storage capacity by 2TB.

This speculation arises from rumors that Apple will adopt the Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash memory technology. QLC technology allows Apple to place more storage in smaller space, with lower cost potential compared to the current use of Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND technology.

However, it is important to respond carefully to these rumors. Similar claims about the 2TB option also appear on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro, which ultimately proved not true. However, there are several new factors that make these 2TB rumors more credible.

The iPhone 16 Pro model will reportedly receive a significant increase in the camera, which can justify the need for larger storage. Rumors show an upgrade to an ultra-wide camera with a 48-megapixel sensor, using the same pixel-binning technology as the main camera. This upgrade, coupled with a wider aperture f/2.2, promises much better performance in low light conditions and supports ProRaw 48 megapixel photography.

Apple is also rumored to be introducing a new image format called "JPEG-XL." The addition of this format to existing ranks, such as HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max, can generate larger file sizes, making larger storage even more necessary. The reported ability to record 3K videos at 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision on the Pro model will also produce much larger files.

Additionally, Apple will reportedly introduce a special "Capture Button" button on the iPhone 16 Pro model, which emphasizes the role of this device as a serious tool for photography and video recording. This collective push towards professional image and video skills can be a strong reason to provide a larger storage option.

Although the prospects for the 2TB iPhone are very interesting, especially for content creators and intensive users, keep in mind that the NAND QLC has shortcomings, especially in terms of slower reading and writing speeds than the NAND TLC.

While waiting for an official announcement from Apple at the "It's Glowtime" event on September 9, it is possible that the iPhone 16 Pro model with 2TB of storage is still a question mark.

Whether this year Apple will eventually penetrate the storage limit is still uncertain, but a combination of new hardware features and developing storage technology makes it very possible. And if that doesn't happen this year, hope is still there for next year.