The increasing storage requirements of Apple Intelligence are raising concerns among iPhone users, especially those with 128GB devices. With the release of iOS 18.2, Apple Intelligence now occupies 7GB of storage, up from 4GB just a few months ago. This significant growth, while tied to new features, highlights a worrying trend for users juggling limited storage space.
New Features, Bigger Demands
Apple introduced iOS 18.2 with a host of AI-powered features, including Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, and ChatGPT integrations in Siri. These updates aim to make Apple devices more competitive with Samsung’s AI-focused Galaxy handsets. However, the increased functionality comes at a cost—7GB of precious storage space.
This expansion isn’t entirely unexpected. Apple warned in its iOS 18.1 notes that storage requirements for on-device AI models would grow as new features were added. Still, for users with 128GB or smaller devices, this shift feels particularly burdensome. For example, Apple Intelligence now takes up 5.5% of a 128GB iPhone’s storage and a whopping 11% of a 64GB M1 iPad Air.
The Challenge for 128GB iPhone Owners
The growing storage needs of Apple Intelligence put significant strain on those with entry-level storage models. For users already managing apps, photos, and videos, the additional 7GB feels like a luxury they can’t afford. Future updates, like iOS 18.4’s anticipated Siri improvements, may demand even more space, further exacerbating the issue.
Apple has already made concessions to support its AI ambitions, such as increasing RAM in its non-Pro handsets. Many speculate that Apple may eventually shift its base models to 256GB of storage. Until then, users with 128GB devices must grapple with this growing storage squeeze.
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A Case for Opting Out
For users who don’t rely on AI features, the current situation feels unnecessary. While Apple allows users to disable AI in settings, there’s no simple way to reclaim the space it consumes. A better solution would be to let users uninstall these features entirely.
Not everyone wants or needs artificial intelligence baked into their daily smartphone experience. AI-driven tools like photo editing, object removal, and generative text may appeal to some, but others find them excessive or even intrusive. For those who prefer unaltered, genuine experiences, the tradeoff between storage space and AI functionality feels lopsided.
Storage vs. Features: A Balancing Act
The growing footprint of Apple Intelligence reflects Apple’s vision of AI as the future. However, not all users share this enthusiasm. Many would rather have the extra storage for their apps, photos, and files than a suite of AI tools they rarely, if ever, use.
Apple must find a way to balance innovation with practicality. By allowing users to opt out of AI features and reclaim storage, Apple could accommodate those who value simplicity and space over cutting-edge technology. Until then, the decision to embrace Apple Intelligence comes with a significant tradeoff for iPhone users.
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