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Apple Drops 2TB iCloud Storage Price to $9.99, Eliminates 1TB Option

Monday June 5, 2017 9:21 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Following today's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote that saw the debut of new software and hardware products, Apple has updated and simplified its iCloud storage pricing tiers.

The 1TB storage option has been eliminated, while the 2TB storage option has dropped in price to $9.99 per month, which is what 1TB of storage was previously priced at. Essentially, at the highest data tiers, customers are getting more storage space for less money. Pricing for Apple's 50GB and 200GB iCloud storage plans remains unchanged.

The new pricing tiers in the United States:

- 50GB: $0.99
- 200GB: $2.99
- 2TB: $9.99

While U.S. prices are listed above, the same changes have been made in all countries where iCloud storage is available. 1TB storage options have been eliminated across the board, while 2TBs of storage is now available at the lower 1TB cost.

Many users have been hoping Apple will increase the free iCloud storage option, but following today's update, free iCloud space continues to cap out at 5GB. In iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, Apple is offering an option to share a 200GB or 2TB iCloud storage plan with family members, which is perhaps the reason behind the price drop.

The new storage plans are available immediately on all iOS devices.

(Thanks, Michael!)

Tag: iCloud
[ 196 comments ]


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coolbreeze
17 months ago
That .99 tier is so stupid. I can't begin to tell you the number of people I know who have the "not enough storage" error on their iPhone/iPad. I tell them to either pay up or use Google Photos (it's almost always photos eating up the backup space). They don't want to do either, so they just don't let it back up. Then I try again on Google Photos. The ones who take me up on the offer end up loving it and can actually back up their phone again. And if they take 1,453,643 photos and videos, they are all backed up for free, forever.

So then, when their phone gets run over, they lose everything. I mean, it's their fault, but 99 cents for 50gig Apple? Please. Should have storage to match the device for free. 256 iPad? 256 free. 32gig iPhone? 32 gig free.

Nobody likes being nickled and dimed. Apple is outdated in this arena and just thinks it's customers will pay yet another recurring monthly fee. Nope.
Rating: 43 Votes
Avatar
redheeler
17 months ago

I just use the various Google free lifetime storage services FTW.

If you want to give money to Apple for no reason, no one is stopping you.

If you want to trust Google with your files/data, no one is stopping you.

Although I agree Apple really should provide more value for money on the lower tiers, including the free tier. Offering a measly 5 GB free after someone spends hundreds or even thousands on Apple hardware is pathetic.
Rating: 22 Votes
Avatar
eatrains
17 months ago

That .99 tier is so stupid. I can't begin to tell you the number of people I know who have the "not enough storage" error on their iPhone/iPad. I tell them to either pay up or use Google Photos (it's almost always photos eating up the backup space). They don't want to do either, so they just don't let it back up. Then I try again on Google Photos. The ones who take me up on the offer end up loving it and can actually back up their phone again. And if they take 1,453,643 photos and videos, they are all backed up for free, forever.

So then, when their phone gets run over, they lose everything. I mean, it's their fault, but 99 cents for 50gig Apple? Please. Should have storage to match the device for free. 256 iPad? 256 free. 32gig iPhone? 32 gig free.

Nobody likes being nickled and dimed. Apple is outdated in this arena and just thinks it's customers will pay yet another recurring monthly fee. Nope.


Google Photos is not a backup. It recompresses all your pictures and videos.
Rating: 17 Votes
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Appleaker
17 months ago
That's cool but I would still like to see more, cheaper, lower end options.
Rating: 16 Votes
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PowerBook-G5
17 months ago
While it's nice that the 2TB option has been reduced in price, I wish there was still a 1TB option, but also at a reduced price ($5.99?).

Right now I pay $2.99/month for 200GB, which I'm close to filling. Paying an extra $7/month for the 2TB tier when I really don't need that much isn't ideal, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Rating: 14 Votes
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eatrains
17 months ago

Over 16 megapixels, yes, under, no. No iPhone is over that, so they are full resolution.

Video is compressed to 1080p if it's larger (i.e. 4k).

My discerning eyeballs cannot tell the difference between 20mpx photos "compressed" to 16 on Google Photos. Not one bit.

But hey, pay up. Good by me. I consider it a very, very fair tradeoff that won't affect many phone models. If you are dumping DSLR files by the thousands, then sure, you will be mad. Phone snaps? Nah.


Incorrect. Google Photos recompresses ALL photos and videos, in addition to downsizing if larger than 16MP/1080p.
Rating: 10 Votes
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ILikeAllOS
17 months ago
50, 200 and then 2TB is a weird progression.
You would think it would be more like 100, 500 and 2TB instead. :confused:
Rating: 9 Votes
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jeremiah256
17 months ago
I guess they're anticipating iOS users taking advantage of the new File app.
Rating: 9 Votes
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coolbreeze
17 months ago

If you want to trust Google with your files/data, no one is stopping you.

We've been hearing this scary thing for years and years. No google monster has come from underneath my bed to get me. My entire life is in Google. Have Google Homes all throughout my house. I love all of it.

Still ticking along exactly as I did before a computer was a thing. I do not care, YMMV. The free stuff I get out of them getting my metadata is very much worth it to me. Go nuts, GOOG.

Or pay for a perceived safety net. Everything is discoverable on the internet. All of it.
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
Aston441
17 months ago
I just use the various Google free lifetime storage services FTW.

If you want to give money to Apple for no reason, no one is stopping you.
Rating: 7 Votes

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