iPhone 16 Pro could gain 2TB of memory using QLC technology
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max may arrive with a 2TB storage version. To be able to double this capacity, Apple would adopt another flash memory technology, QLC. The information was leaked by South Korean leaker yeux1122, who made the same claim about the iPhone 15 Pro.
The talk of the iPhone Pro with 2TB of memory has been around since 2022, when Apple was preparing the launch of the iPhone 14 series. Leaker yeux1122 has a mixed track record of predictions, however, this time the South Korean’s speculation has a footing — but it should still be taken with a grain of salt.
QLC memory delivers more memory with less size
According to yeux1122, Apple will use QLC-like memories for the iPhone 16’s storage. QLC stands for Quad Level Cell. This memory uses four bits per cell, while current iPhones use the Triple Level Cell, which has three bits per cell.
Remembering what a bit is: it is the smallest unit of information in digital systems. A bit can take two values: 0 or 1. In a QLC-type memory, with four bits, we can have 16 different combinations (24). In TLC, the maximum number of combinations is eight (2³). That is, QLC technology doubles capacity using the same space as TLC (more density). It has slower read and write speeds, but Apple has the ability to work around this problem.
With QLC, Apple could double the capacity of the iPhone Pro without worrying about the size of the chip and the work of rearranging the internal part of the smartphone. That’s a point in the leaker’s favor. However, there is another advantage to using QLC: it reduces the space to install a larger battery.
Since QLC-type memories are smaller, Apple can use it to maintain the iPhone Pro and Pro Max offer with 1TB. In return, it would expand the battery’s capacity. And if the adoption of QLC is true, it is more likely that the reason is to increase the battery.
As much as the iPhone Pro’s ProRes videos consume a lot of storage, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple allows you to pass files straight to an SSD. 2TB may not be as necessary. And last but not least, Samsung didn’t release a Galaxy S24 with 2TB, so there’s no reason for Apple to run with that amount of storage.
