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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!)
Top Rated Comments
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 Apple is outdated in this arena and just thinks it's customers will pay yet another recurring monthly fee.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.
I just use the various Google free lifetime storage services FTW.
If you want to trust Google with your files/data, no one is stopping you.If you want to give money to Apple for no reason, 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.
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.
Google Photos is not a backup. It recompresses all your pictures and videos.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.
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)_/¯
Over 16 megapixels, yes, under, no. No iPhone is over that, so they are full resolution.
Incorrect. Google Photos recompresses ALL photos and videos, in addition to downsizing if larger than 16MP/1080p.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.