So you've decided to take the plunge and get the new iPad and you've chosen both the carrier and the color you want, but you aren't sure which storage capacity size to go with? The difference between 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB isn't just how much stuff you can put on it, but $100-$200 in up front costs, so it's worth thinking about.
Here's the breakdown.
Price for storage
The current US prices for the new iPad are (not counting the $130 surcharge for 3G + 4G models):
- 16GB: $499 or $31.19/GB
- 32GB: $599 or $18.72/GB
- 64GB: $699 or $10.92/GB
It looks like you can pay $200 more (20% more) the price for 4x the storage, which makes the price per GB fall really fast. Still, Apple is getting you to pay $100 for an extra 16GB of storage and $200 for an extra 48GB of storage. That's not a great deal, given what SD cards go for these days. That's probably where Apple helps increase their margins.
So if giving Apple an extra dime irks you, the 16GB baseline model could be the way to go. But there are other things to consider first.
iCloud and other online storage options
iCloud gives us unlimited online storage for iTunes purchased content -- iBooks, music, movies, TV shows, and apps, and 5GB of additional storage for backups, data, etc. If that's not enough, you can pay for more.
- 10GB: $20/year
- 20GB: $40/year
- 50GB: $100/year
This might make it tempting to save some $$$ up front on onboard storage and make up for it with the free 5GB iCloud, with the option to buy more storage as a safety blanket.
It's not a crazy idea but it's important to remember that online storage isn't always as available, fast, and convenient as onboard storage. For example, you can't just play a movie from iCloud, you have to download it at the same time you watch it, which means you have to have enough space available on your iPad to handle the download. If you want to watch a lot of movies, you may have to watch, delete, watch, delete, over and over again.
iCloud also doesn't give you a file system like Dropbox or Box.net, so you can only really store what Apple lets you. If your movies and videos don't come from iTunes, iCloud is no help to you. Also, in our tests iCloud's free 5GB could get filled up pretty quickly by photos and especially videos.
So iCloud means you can get away with storing less content on your device, but you still want to have enough local storage for what you need, when you need it.
5 megapixel photos and 1080p video
The new iPad actually has a good camera on it, and that means it takes good 5 megapixel photos and 1080p video. That also means you need room to store 5 megapixel photos and 1080p video.
For example, I take a ton of photos and videos on my iPhone 4S and with 16GB I'd quickly run out of space. Since it's a pain in the butt to have to go through and figure out what to delete if I'm not near my computer, I opted for more storage.
Unlike an iPhone, however, an iPad probably isn't your go-to camera, and isn't the camera you always have with you. In other words, I don't think most people will take and store as many photos or as much video with their iPads as they would their iPhones (or other smartphones).
That being said, I store a ton of photos and video on my iPad. It's just a great way to show and share those special moments with friends and family. If you want to keep a lot of home movies and photos available, you'll need space for them.
Content
The other thing that can fill up our iPad quickly is content.
- Games can be big, and with the new iPad's 2048x1536 Retina display and Apple A5X processor, we might see even bigger ones with more textures and richer environments. Some games were already getting close to 1GB, how big will the Retina iPad games be?
- iTunes movies can be 1-3GB in size for SD depending on the length. If you prefer watching HD, they can be 3-5GB. If you want to take advantage of the Retina display to watch 1080p movies... Watch out.
- iTunes TV shows can be a quarter to half the size of movies, but more than make up for it by the number of episodes typically available.
- If you get your movies and TV shows from somewhere other than iTunes, you're still looking at about 400MB an hour for SD and over 1GB (sometimes way over) an hour for HD.
- Music files are generally quite small but can add up as well, especially if you have lots and lots of albums you want to keep with you everywhere.
Who should get 16GB
If you don't use a lot of apps, if you don't want to have a lot of movies and TV shows, or a huge amount of music, if you don't intend to shoot and keep very much 5 megapixel photos or 1080p video on your iPad, you'll probably be okay with 16GB.
Some people like to keep their iPads light and either stream or surf the web for content, and some people manage their photos and videos very well, transferring them to their computers regularly and reliably.
If you keep your iPad lean, you can probably save yourself some cash and get by on 16GB.
Who should get 32GB
If the iPad is your primary device, if you play games on it and watch movies and TV shows on it, if you have a decent sized music collection you want to keep with you, and if you shoot an average amount of photos and videos, 32GB is probably your sweet spot.
Some people like to have one device that, while it doesn't do everything all the time, is capable enough to do most things most of the time. As long as there's some extra space to give extra time to managing apps and content, it's a great compromise.
If you do a fair but not overwhelming amount of stuff on your iPad, your probably better off going for 32GB.
Who should get 64GB
If you're a power user who wants to keep as much as possible for as long as possible, if you have a large amount of apps and games, TV and movies, and a huge music collection you simply have to have with you all the time, or you shoot photos and video almost non stop and don't want to have to bother transferring it all the time... we'll, you've probably already ordered a 64GB iPad and cursed Apple for not giving you a 128GB option!
Some people really do want their iPad to do everything, all of the time, and never (or rarely) have to worry about running out of space. If you really feel like you need it, you probably didn't need me to tell you so, and you've already decided you're getting 64GB. Enjoy!
What if you choose the wrong size?
Remember, in most places you have time to try out your new iPad and return it if you don't like it. Make sure, as soon as possible, you put your new iPad to realistic use. Load up all the apps and games you want with you, load up your movies and TV shows, go out and take some photos and shoot some video. Give it a complete and thorough workout and see.
If it feels like you got too much storage, say 64GB and you haven't even gone past 2GB, or if you got too little, say you're already at 15GB of 16GB, then take your iPad back and exchange it for one that better suits your needs.
If you come to this realization too late, after the exchange period is over, remember you can buy additional iCloud storage, or look at other options like Dropbox which will let you keep your stuff available online and potentially free up some much needed space on your iPad.
Any questions?
If you've already decided which storage capacity is perfect for you, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB, leave a comment and let me know!
If you're still not sure, if you want advice or more opinions, just ask!
- New iPad forum
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Georgia
Senior Editor at iMore and a practicing therapist specializing in stress and anxiety. She speaks everywhere from conferences to corporations, co-host of Vector and Isometric podcasts, follow her on Twitter @Georgia_Dow and check out her series at anxiety-videos.com.
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FAQs
Is 64GB a good amount of storage for an iPad? ›
iPad storage: size Apps and games
If you don't have a ton of apps or games on your iPad, 64GB will work just fine. If you have a fair number of apps and games, consider 128GB or 256GB. If you plan to do any graphics-heavy design work, get a 512GB or even more capacious model.
Before deciding how much iPad storage space you need, check how much is being consumed by media on your iPhone. If you have tons of content that will be synced, you might need more than the base 32GB or 64GB storage options. If iCloud Photo Library is disabled, this is less of an issue.
Is it better to get more storage on iPad? ›An Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, or Mac comes with a set amount of storage. The more storage your device has, the more music, apps, photos, and other content you can store on that device.
Is 16GB too small for iPad? ›This means a 16GB iPad, with 12GB of real space, can only hold three HD movies or eight SD movies. That's fine if you just want a movie or two for a cross-country trip, but it's absolutely not going to work if you want to store a small library.
How many pictures can 64GB hold? ›Number of RAW vs JPEG Photos on Memory Cards
64GB = 2,184 photos. 128GB = 4,368 photos. 256GB = 8,732 photos.
64GB: limited storage space
With 64GB, you'll have enough if you use your iPhone for WhatsApp and calls. In addition, you have space for some social media apps and light games. You can use streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify and you don't record 4K videos.
As a guide, 32GB is enough to store 3 to 4 HD movies. Around 100 average sized apps. Around 3000 to 4000 photos.
How many GB should iPad system use? ›Also, iOS/iPadOS devices need to maintain a minimum constant of between 2-4 GBs to ensure nominal, expected performance and function of iOS/iPadOS.
Do you need more than 32GB? ›32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.
Can you upgrade iPad from 32gb to 64GB? ›There is no storage expansion capability on any iDevice. Nope. no iDevice (iPads, iPhones, iPods) can have its storage expanded. What you buy is what you get.
Is 64GB a lot of storage? ›
However, despite the factors mentioned above, 64GB of storage is often enough for the average consumer. But if you sometimes go overboard with media files, 128GB should cover your needs.
How do I get more storage on my iPad 32gb? ›Go to Settings > General > iPad storage and assess your remaining free space. Start by deleting unused apps, and check bloated apps for unnecessary media collections. For example, your Podcast app may have downloaded files you don't need.
Does 16GB to 32GB make a difference? ›If you're struggling with 8GB, upgrading to 16GB will boost performance. If your software places a heavy demand on 16GB RAM, an upgrade to 32GB should make your computing easy. With large amounts of RAM, you should notice improved reliability, especially if programs were freezing up when you used them.
What is the difference between 16GB and 32GB iPad? ›There's no difference besides the storage capacity.
How many photos can 16GB iPad hold? ›Depending on those factors, you'll be able to fit somewhere between 200 and 12,000 images onto a 16GB memory card. Typically, a 16GB sd card can hold around 2861 JPEG photos in 16 megapixels.
How long does 64GB of storage last? ›Filming at those maxed out settings will fill up your 64GB phone quite quickly, and if planning to do that often – you'll definitely want to consider spending for more storage. However, even at 64GB, you should be able to fit up to 3 hours of recorded 4K video, which isn't too shabby.
How many days can 64GB hold? ›64GB SD Card - H. 264 480p - 10 Days Recording.
How long does 64GB memory last? ›| Video Recording Time** | ||
|---|---|---|
| Recording speed | 24 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 64GB | 320 min | 960 min |
| 128GB | 640 min | 1920 min |
| 256GB | 1280 min | 3840 min |
64 GB of RAM will typically have a higher overall speed than 32 GB of RAM, no matter the latency or voltage being reported. This is often inherent to the very size of the RAM itself. The higher the RAM, the faster the speed tends to be. It's not a hard and fast rule, of course, but it's nonetheless pretty dependable.
Is 64GB necessary? ›Is 64/128 GB of RAM Overkill? For the majority of users, it is. If you plan on building a PC purely for gaming and some general, basic, everyday activity, 64 GB of RAM is just too much. The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload.
Is it worth it to buy 64GB? ›
64GB is enough for 95% of people. If you don't use your smartphone to store movies, 64GB is enough, including if you take lots of pics, panoramas, and videos. Look, this isn't a one size fits all kinda deal. It all depends on the person's usage.
Is the iPad Air better than the iPad? ›Apple's standard 2022 iPad offers more value than the 2022 iPad Air for casual tablet users. But the 2022 iPad Air is a better option if you often edit photos or videos. If you want to add the Apple Pencil, opt for the 2021 iPad or 2022 iPad Air.
How many photos can iPad 32GB hold? ›A 32GB can carry up to 5,500 photos, but this is not always the case as some factors affect how many pictures a 32GB memory card holds in practice. Factors such as the quality settings of the camera, file format, camera resolution, and card reliability determine the number of photos a 32GB memory card can hold.
Do I need cellular on my iPad? ›Choosing a cellular iPad over a Wi-Fi iPad means you'll always have the speed, reliability, and security of a mobile data connection, giving you the power to use your iPad in many more ways. So, for all the reasons we listed above, if you're looking for the best iPad Apple makes, make sure you pick up a cellular model.
Is it worth getting an Apple pencil? ›And if you're a digital artist of any kind, the Apple Pencil's brilliance makes it a no-brainer. It's an expensive add-on, for sure, but for me personally, it's worth it. And if you're on the fence, you can always try a third-party stylus on the cheap to find out if it's really for you.
Is 64GB iPad air enough for medical school? ›Unless you're storing a bunch of videos on your ipad, 64 should be fine. We were "given" the 256 Gb, and I'm almost done with my first year and have only used 25 so far. What do you use your iPad for? Trying to understand the use case to see if it's worthwhile for me to get one!
How many apps can 64GB hold? ›A device 64GB of internal flash memory will have around 59GB of usable space. Of that amount, 7–10GB will be reserved for the OS and system partition leaving you with ~50GB of usable space. Assuming that a typical Android app is 200–250 MB, the total amount of installable apps will be around 200.
Should I upgrade from 16GB to 32GB? ›If you want the absolute top speed performance, no stuttering issues, lag, or any other graphical or performance hiccups, 32GB might be your ideal of good RAM. Add to that the longevity that 32GB of RAM can provide your hardware, and you may end up saving money by not buying or upgrading new tech.
Will I notice a difference between 32GB and 64GB of RAM? ›Yes, there is a 100% difference in the amount, or in other words, 32GB is twice as much as 16GB. But what you really want to know is how much more useful it is. The answer lies actually on what you're using your computer for, and what kind and how much data you need processed at any given time.
Why do you need 32 GB? ›With 32GB, you will have graphically enhanced gameplay, while still being able to do multiple things in the background, like livestreaming and using Chrome, system software, or Spotify.
Can you transfer GB from one iPad to another? ›
Select a method
iCloud: transfer your data and purchased content to your new device from your previous device's iCloud backup. iTunes or Finder: transfer your data and purchased content to your new device from a backup you've made with iTunes or Finder.
Is 64GB enough? We recommend that you get as much storage as you can afford with this iPad – although 512GB would probably be excessive. If you want the kids to be able to watch downloaded movies, listen to music and access other content when you are in the car, for example, then you will want plenty of space for that.
Is 64GB enough for iPad architecture? ›64 GBs of internal storage is sufficient, but really not enough for any serious work to be done and stored on the device. It is better to go for the higher storage capacities in either iPad model.
How many GB of storage do I need? ›If you mainly store text files and photos, 512GB of storage space is enough. Do you want to save movies, games, and other large files on your PC? Choose at least 1TB of storage space. That way, you can last some time without the risk of your laptop filling up.
Can an iPad be upgraded from 16gb to 32gb? ›Since the iPad's internal capacity is not upgradeable, it's important to plan ahead and buy a model with more space than you initially anticipate needing.
What if my iPad storage is full? ›The two most common solutions to clear storage space on your iPad is to delete photos/videos from your photo library or to uninstall apps. Before you delete anything though, make sure that you know how to backup the files you would like to keep. For example, you can keep a backup of your photo library on iCloud.
How much does it cost to get more storage on iPad? ›Your iPad comes with 5GB of iCloud storage by default, but if you're running out of space, it's a good idea to get more storage space. You can buy 50 GB of storage for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, or 2 TB for $9.99 per month. You can use the Settings app to upgrade your iPad's storage plan at any time.
Do I really need 16GB? ›In summary, 16GB of RAM is what I consider the sweet spot for how much memory you should have in your computer. That amount of RAM will allow you to perform everyday computing tasks and play demanding games without a problem. 16GB of RAM also won't cost as much as 32GB or 64GB of memory.
Should I upgrade to 16GB memory? ›16GB of RAM is the amount of memory we recommend for intermediate users looking for extra speed and smooth functioning. This may be especially beneficial if you tend to have several programs open and running, simultaneously. This is also a good level of RAM for casual gamers and standard business professionals.
Is it better to have 1 stick of 16GB or 2 8GB? ›Conclusion. Dual-channel memory is better than single-channel memory. Two 8GB RAM is better than one 16G RAM.
How much can you store on 16GB iPad? ›
As you can see from this article, The true storage capacity of an iPad or iPhone, a 16GB iPhone or iPad gives you around 12.2GB to play with. That's equivalent to around 3,050 songs, or 15.3 hours of video, or eight Hollywood movies, or 407 apps/games, or a combination of those.
Can you add storage to a 16GB iPad? ›You can't. Storage was fixed at purchase and there is no way add memory to a device. If you need space you have to delete things your don't need or use, such as Apps, Photos, Music, Files, Messages, Email, etc. Next time you buy a new iPad, make sure you get one with enough memory to meet or exceed your storage needs.
Is 32GB enough storage on a tablet? ›Basic use and family: 32 to 128GB
Most tablet start at a storage capacity of 32GB. A capacity of 32 to 128GB is enough for basic use or for the family. You can browse the internet or play light games. The tablet does fill up quickly, so you have to clean it often.
This means that you can hold between 4705 and 3076 pictures on a 16GB memory card.
How many apps can a 16 GB iPad hold? ›That depends on the size of Apps. IOS6 itslef can comfortably hold over 500 apps. Above that iOS6 starts experiencing slow downs. now if an app is around 100MB and this maybe a little high for an average app, you get about 1400 apps in a 16GB iPad since some of those 16Gb are taken up by the OS.
How many apps can 16GB tablet hold? ›Internal Storage
Small (16 GB) – Tablets with 16 GB of storage can hold about three full-sized movies, 16 of the biggest apps, 123 average-size apps, or 800 of the smallest apps. Don't forget about photos or music, which can easily take up 5 or 6 GB.
Apart from the storage capacity, which distinguishes the two, their other features are similar. However, the 64GB iPad 10th Generation only allows Wi-Fi connectivity, while the 256GB type accommodates Wi-Fi and cellular connections.
Does 64GB hold a lot? ›As you'd expect, it depends on you as a smartphone user. Most people can do just fine with 64GB of storage, while 128GB is for those who need a little extra headroom to avoid the trouble of constantly freeing up phone storage.
How many games can a 64GB iPad hold? ›If you have 240 games now that use 28 GBs, for example, then you get 8.6 games per GB. Multiply by 64 to get 549 total games in 64 GBs. Factor into the equation that any video or music will decrease the available space for your games.
Can an iPad 64GB be upgraded to 256GB? ›Storage can't be upgraded.
Is it better to get 32GB or 64GB? ›
64 GB of RAM will typically have a higher overall speed than 32 GB of RAM, no matter the latency or voltage being reported. This is often inherent to the very size of the RAM itself. The higher the RAM, the faster the speed tends to be. It's not a hard and fast rule, of course, but it's nonetheless pretty dependable.
Is 64GB memory necessary? ›Is 64/128 GB of RAM Overkill? For the majority of users, it is. If you plan on building a PC purely for gaming and some general, basic, everyday activity, 64 GB of RAM is just too much. The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload.
How long should 64GB last? ›How much video can 64GB hold? Based on the normal video resolution of 4k at 60fps, a 64GB storage device can keep more than 1 hour and 20 minutes of video time. A 64GB storage device can hold more than 1 hour and 37 minutes of video at a resolution of 2.7k at 120fps.
How many hours does 64GB hold? ›SD card can record for 40 hours before erasing footage.
The data is stored on a 64 GB SD card. This SD card will hold approximately 40 hours of video.
Apple's standard 2022 iPad offers more value than the 2022 iPad Air for casual tablet users. But the 2022 iPad Air is a better option if you often edit photos or videos. If you want to add the Apple Pencil, opt for the 2021 iPad or 2022 iPad Air.
How do I increase storage on my iPad 32gb? ›Go to Settings > General > iPad storage and assess your remaining free space. Start by deleting unused apps, and check bloated apps for unnecessary media collections. For example, your Podcast app may have downloaded files you don't need.