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We do a lot of stuff on our phones, and having an abundance of storage space can really come in handy — especially if you're finding your old 128GB of free space doesn't cut it anymore. But those storage upgrades can get very expensive if you're not careful, and the worst part is that you can't take them with you next time you buy a new phone.A 256GB iPhone 17 costs $799, but a 512GB model is $200 more. That's $200 extra that you'll need to pay every time you buy a new iPhone, and all so you can maintain that same level of storage. Luckily, you don't have to pay for extra storage, and there are alternative options available that could save you money in the long run.Cloud storage
(Image credit: Shutterstock)I will caveat this particular point because cloud storage subscriptions are another kind of trap. It's one of the easiest ways to offload files and photos from your phone, but it also locks you into an ongoing subscription that you'll need to maintain for the immediate future. The cheap storage option you start with may start to fill up within a few years, at which point your options are to pay for more storage or end up back at square one.But investing in a cloud subscription is an easy way to avoid the expensive storage upgrades, at least in the short term. For example, a 200GB iCloud Plus plan is $2.99 a month in the United States, or $35.88 a year.You don't get quite the same amount of storage as upgrading to a 512GB iPhone 17, but you're also paying considerably less up front. It'd take five and a half years for your total subscription costs to hit the $200 mark, by which point you may be ready to buy a new iPhone anyway.iCloud isn't the only option for iPhone owners, but it is the most convenient since it's owned by Apple. But if you're willing to forgo that convenience, you may be able to find a better deal with one of the best cloud storage companies instead.Just remember that you need to maintain your cloud storage subscription indefinitely if you want to retain access. Stop those monthly payments, and you stop being able to upload new files — or in some extreme cases, you may lose access to the stuff you already uploaded.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Trading one recurring cost for another monthly bill is not always the most prudent financial choice you can make. Thankfully, there are other, more cost-effective options available.It's also worth noting that cloud storage is an excellent tool for backing up your phone automatically, which can be a lifesaver in the event your phone veer gets damaged, stolen, or accidentally erased.Buy a phone with a microSD card slot
