As of 2026, storage limitations on budget phones and laptops, particularly those with 128GB and 256GB respectively, are insufficient for modern needs like 4K video, prompting consumers to consider higher storage options despite increased costs. Picture: Michael Sherman/Google Gemini
As we approach the midway point of 2026, it’s almost a criminal act the amount of storage some manufacturers ship their phones and laptops.
I’m talking specifically about phones with 128GB and less, and laptops with 256GB storage.
Even the biggest manufacturers are guilty of this infringement, and in particular Apple.
Though Apple has introduced a new base storage of 256GB for the phones with the iPhone 17 range, their cheapest laptop does not feature the increased storage. Unfortunately for me, I went for the iPhone 16e base model and only have 128GB on my device and routinely run out of space.
