How much memory does a smartphone need in 2026: 128, 256, or 512 GB?

When choosing a new smartphone, people usually look at the camera, screen, and artificial intelligence features. The amount of built-in storage is also increasing: manufacturers offer models with storage options of up to 1 TB.

Not everyone needs that much space. The majority of storage, aside from apps, is usually taken up by videos, which can be moved to the cloud. If you don't install many heavy games and don't store your entire media library locally, you will probably be fine with a more affordable configuration.

64 GB - the absolute minimum

Most manufacturers haven't released smartphones with 64 GB of memory for several years. Such storage is only found in some very budget models, including the Motorola Moto G Play and BLU View 5.

This amount of storage is only enough for a few apps and basic tasks. This option is suitable for those who use their phone for calls and messaging, rarely install anything, and take few photos or videos.

128 GB is enough for many

The base versions of modern smartphones often come with 128 GB of storage. This can be enough for about 100 or more regular apps, a few thousand photos, and several videos. In a year or two, the available space may run out, but this issue can usually be resolved by deleting old files.

My Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has 128 GB of memory, of which 113 GB is used. The phone has over 300 apps, although I don’t actively use many of them. Another 12 GB is taken up by photos and videos that have already been uploaded to the cloud but have not yet been deleted from the device.

128 GB is suitable for those who install regular apps, primarily take photos, and consume content through streaming services rather than downloading it. However, you will need to use cloud storage, periodically delete old files, or change your smartphone more frequently.

256 GB - the optimal choice for most

With 256 GB of storage, you can take plenty of photos and videos, install hundreds of apps, including some graphically demanding games, and regularly update the system. You will likely not need to delete files and programs very often.

This amount is sufficient for most users. Choosing 256 GB is especially reasonable if you plan to use the phone for four years or more and do not want to depend on cloud storage.

512 GB is needed for specific tasks

A 512 GB storage option makes sense for video editing, gaming, or storing a large media library without an internet connection. In this case, the smartphone effectively becomes a portable hard drive: it can hold tens of thousands of photos, a large music collection, work documents over several years, and many hours of video.

This configuration is suitable for those who use their phone for professional work, store large libraries of offline content, or plan to use a single device for at least five years.

1 TB - a niche configuration

1 TB storage is found only in premium smartphones from Google, Samsung, and Apple - typically in the most expensive variants. For a phone, this capacity is like that of a desktop computer: it’s enough for tens of thousands of photos, hundreds of hours of video, and hundreds of apps.

Content creators who shoot hours of 4K video, don't use the cloud, or keep a vast offline media library on their device may need 1 TB. Another reason is the purchase of a smartphone for many years. For other users, this volume will likely be excessive.

Why available memory is always less

The amount indicated on the box will not be fully available. Typically, 20 to 30 GB are occupied by the operating system, pre-installed apps, built-in AI features, and other system components. This should be taken into account even before purchase.

System updates

Operating systems take up more and more space each year. If you use the phone for three years or more, the portion of memory taken up by system files may increase significantly. Therefore, it is better to plan for some extra space in advance.

High-quality videos

One video file can take up as much space as hundreds or even thousands of photos, especially when shot in high quality. For those who often take photos or move videos to the cloud, 128 or 256 GB is usually sufficient.

Games

Mobile games often take up around 10 GB, and the size of some popular titles exceeds 20 GB. If you plan to run AAA games, consider a configuration with a larger storage capacity.

Social networks and messengers

Platforms like X, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram can accumulate 15 GB of cached data or more within a few months. When free space runs low, it’s best to clear the cache of these applications first — there’s no need to delete your own photos and videos.