Next iPhone to Sport 256GB Storage Variant: Report

Apple's next-generation iPhone devices may not have received a launch date but this hasn't stopped leaks around the devices. The latest rumour claims that the new iPhone models may sport 256GB of storage.

The new details come from Taiwan citing 'industry sources' that claim NAND flash vendors including Samsung as well as SK Hynix have raised chip prices because of high demand for new smartphone including the iPhone 7. Digitimes reports that NAND chip prices will "keep soaring until the fourth quarter of 2016."

The report adds that Apple's purchase of NAND flash is "critical to the overall consumption", pointing to how the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s series consumed 15 percent of entire NAND supply last year.

(Also see: iPhone 7 Price, Release Date, Specifications, and All Other Rumours)

Unfortunately, there's no word whether the 256GB storage will be limited to one model or will be used on both rumoured iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. Previously, Apple was rumoured to finally be doing away with the 16GB base storage variant, and replacing it with a 32GB option. The company was also rumoured to be ditching the 64GB model altogether, and replacing it with a 128GB variant. The first rumours of a 256GB variant appeared shortly before this, with later reports tipping both the iPhone 7 and larger iPhone 7 Plus will come this variant.

A separate report from Japan suggests that Apple this year will unveil just two models - iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus - contradicting earlier reports that said a possible iPhone 7 Pro model also exists. Apple was recently reported to launch three variants in 2016 namely iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the iPhone 7 Pro/ Plus/ Premium. However, the latest leak declines any such possibility. Of course, one cannot ignore the rumour that Apple may choose to call its next iPhone model the iPhone 6SE - due to the minimal design changes the generation is bringing.

Recent reports also suggested that Apple may start selling the next iPhone in the week of September 12. Prolific tipster @evleaks had previously claimed that the next iPhone will hit store shelves on September 16 specifically.