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
Image: 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.
The MacBook Neo starts at 256GB storage, which is just too little these days - especially if you’re backing up your phone which will likely shoot in 4K. For reference, a minute of 4K video at 30 frames per second (FPS) will take up approximately 190MB. If you shoot in a faster, smoother FPS of 60 in 4K, that will drive up the file size to about 440MB per minute.
That means for every minute of video you shoot on your phone, you’re taking up half a GB. Over a short period of time, for example a week’s holiday somewhere picturesque - an hour of footage will take up about 30GB on your phone.
The only saving grace for the MacBook Neo though, is that it is by far Apple’s cheapest laptop at R11,999, and from R13,999 you will be getting 512GB minimum for any laptop from the tech giant.
However, most budget Windows laptops ship with 256GB storage and you’d need to spend at least around R8,500 to get increased storage of 512GB.
At least with Android phones the price for storage isn’t as cheap, and you should be able to find a device with at least 256GB storage if you invest at least R4,500.
That still means the vast majority of budget phones in South Africa will still come with less than 256GB, and with 2027 on the horizon they should be avoided if at all possible.