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Topic: Apple

Why the imminent release of a 128GB iPad is unlikely

Summary: There are rumors circulating that Apple is preparing to release a 128GB version of the iPad, but given Apple's past track record, this is highly unlikely.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

There are rumors circulating that Apple is preparing to release a 128GB version of the iPad, adding a new model to the existing line up.

UPDATE: And a day following the posting of this piece, Apple announced a 128GB iPad. Yes, I called this one wrong.

There's very little to the rumor, beyond the fact that 9to5Mac have "gotten word from sources" that a 128GB iPad is going to be slotted in alongside the current 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models. According to the rumor, the iPad wouldn't be a new model, but instead an update of the existing iPad 4.

There have also been some code references in beta versions of iOS 6.1 pointing to a 128GB iPad too, but rumors based on findings within iOS beta code are notoriously inaccurate.

I find it unlikely that Apple has a new iPad 4 model in the pipeline, mere months after launching the iPad 4—essentially an iPad 3 with updated processor and Lightning port. Consumers were upset when Apple moved the iPad refresh data from the usual March to November.

It also doesn't make sense that Apple would add a new storage size to the line-up, when both the iPad and iPhone has always been offered in three storage capacities.

I have little doubt that a 128GB iPad is indeed in the pipeline, but that it will be a new model—perhaps the iPad 5—and that its debut will be concurrent with the elimination of the 16GB model. This would allow Apple to retail the existing pricing structure for the iPads, with the 128GB model costing $699 for the Wi-Fi model, and $829 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

128GB of flash memory would cost Apple less than $80, based on current supply chain prices, compared to around $40 for 64GB of storage, but the $699-$829 price tag commanded by the high-end iPad more than covers this increase in component costs.

Another thing worth bearing in mind is that Apple has never bumped the storage of any iOS device outside of a refresh of the product [UPDATE: Apple silently bumped the storage on the original iPhone and iPod touch from 8GB to 16GB]. The idea that will start doing this now—and with the iPad, a device that is selling very well—is preposterous.

So yes, we are likely to see an iPad with 128GB of storage sometime in the future, but the idea that Apple is going to release it before the next iPad refresh is highly unlikely.

Image source: Apple.

Topics: Apple, iPad, Tablets

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55 comments
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  • I have to agree with you here

    I was one of the people who was upset with apple when just months after I shelled out for an iPad 3, they released an iPad 4. I quickly saw that it was unwarranted because it was such a small update, but many weren't as quick to notice. I doubt Apple would risk another PR hit by releasing yet another update so quickly since the ONLY reason they can command such premium prices is their PR. It doesn't affect me too much though, I always go for the bottom teir iPad and use iTunes Match to save space. If they bump the 16gb option out on the iPad 5, add the 128gb one and maybe add some serious power under the hood, I'll be quite happy buying the next generation.
    45yoyos
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Wow so you must be really butt hurt

      When you buy a new car and six months later the same model has better technology. Do you bawl to the dealership?
      toddbottom7
      Reply 1 Vote

      • He was saying the exact opposite of what you're attacking him for

        He said "I quickly saw that it was unwarranted because it was such a small update". Try reading beyond the first line before you start trolling.

        p.s. Don't accuse me of being a fanboi because I wouldn't buy an IOS device without some major changes at Apple re: their desire for control and pricing. I just dislike trolls.
        mog0
        Reply 4 Votes

        • The issue was the "small update" thing.

          It was a huge update in processor speed so the OP was being disingenuous at best.
          Bruizer
          Reply Vote

          • Noticeable by user?

            So on the one hand this was a big upgrade which can only suggest the previous ipads were a little bit laggy and slow?
            OR, it's not really that big a difference and users probably wouldn't notice that much because the older ipads were sufficiently fast and smooth, as we know they were the best at speed and smoothness.
            Which is it then?
            Can I also confirm that we now measure how good products are simply on processor speed? I lose track of which specific detail we're using at the moment........
            Little Old Man
            Reply Vote

          • Neither

            Neither? Technology gets better. The old iPad was fine, the new one is better.
            Stewsburntmonkey
            Reply Vote

    • Consider it a preventitive measure

      Apple discovered some of their flock was suffering from "bloated wallet syndrome" if fleeced just once a year. Stepping up the schedule is a preventative measure designed for your protection. Now go buy.
      jvitous
      Reply 3 Votes

    • I know what you mean.

      My new iPad (3rd gen) simply stopped working when the 4th gen was released. I am about only having the newest and greatest so what to do:-)

      I question the logic of people that saw the iPad 4 as a PR issue.
      Bruizer
      Reply 1 Vote

      • You respond and agree with TB7

        and yet you have the audacity to question the sanity of other people?

        Seriously?
        Little Old Man
        Reply Vote

        • Just because a troll is a troll doesn't mean they are always wrong

          Sure, most of the time they might be but not always. Of those upset about the timing of the release of the of the iPad 4, 80% were Apple haters that wouldn't buy an Apple product anyway, 15% were bloggers trying to get hits and 5% were actual Apple customers. My iPad 3 works exactly how it did the day before the iPad 4 was introduced just as my wife's iPad 2 works just as it did the day before the 3 was introduced. I did find it funny that most of those complaining at that time were Fandroids that have not issue with the fact that every time you turn around there is a new updated Android device. Some how that his alright in the Android world but where they always based Apple for annual releases yet when they got to six month releases it's bad for customers all the sudden.
          non-biased
          Reply Vote

    • If you were upset by the release of a new product

      Then it suggests that you build your self-esteem and self-worth on the tech that you own. That being the case, please seek help. It does not matter that you soon got over it because you saw it as a minor update. What if it had not been a minor update? How would you now be feeling? The fact that you were upset in the first place is concern enough.
      Restricted_access
      Reply Vote

      • I can understand if the purchase was a week or two before the announcement

        but if that were the case Apple offered an upgrade for free.
        non-biased
        Reply Vote

  • Really AKH?

    www.theverge.com/2013/1/28/3924386/128gb-fourth-generation-ipad-priced-at-799-and-929-rumor

    They already have the pricing.
    toddbottom7
    Reply 1 Vote

    • AKH Uses His Typical Logic

      He uses his typical logic - and is wrong again.

      Next time, he should use his typical logic to present a well-reasoned argument and then make an exact opposite conclusion since he's ALWAYS wrong.

      He's like some stock pickers I know. I always take the other side and I'm doing pretty well.
      Regulator1956
      Reply Vote

  • Just add a darn USB and SDHC slot already!!!

    Just add a darn USB and SDHC slot already!!! Memory is cheap
    Apple has always been stupid on the why they over charge on Memory increments.
    Isn't it time to merely add slots and be done with this milking the Ram prices already...
    wpreece
    Reply 2 Votes

    • Why?

      What is this fascination with ports to tether a mobile device, making it un-mobile and carrying around memory cards? It's a ridiculous mind-set from Microsoft propaganda based on 20th century thinking. Besides, if you really want to plug stuff into your device, there are adapters for the lighting port.
      dolph0291
      Reply Vote

      • Carry Around Cards?

        I have a 32GB card ($20) in my 4GB Sansa Fuse. Total cost was $80 for a 36GB high quality sound music player with a smallish screen. (I use to have a 16GB card in it, but I put that in my phone.)
        Regulator1956
        Reply 1 Vote

    • Bad idea

      So all the app writers have to add file management capabilities to their apps? And what happens if you want to give photos to someone and remove the card, to put in their card, but your photos were stored on the first card?

      You end up with a file management nightmare - one of the reasons people like the iPad is because it doesn't have archaic computing management tasks like a PC does. Apple will never do this, nor should they.
      hayesk
      Reply Vote

    • Storage?

      Apple have removed the UI for storage from the iPad - users don't see "files". Yes, there are files but they aren't shown to users by the OS. This is a deliberate design decision.

      Why? Apple did this because they wanted the iPad (well all iOS devices really) to be usable by people who don't understand filesystems.

      Does this matter? Yes, it means you can't "just add USB and SDHC" - the user would have no way to interact with file-stores on these devices.

      Okay, now you're thinking: "How the hell do you reopen work you've done on the system?" While the OS cannot show files, applications CAN (and do) show their own local (to the app) files. Users can see files through this "lens". So why's this "different"? Because files are presented to the user IN context in a manor that makes sense for the application (so a photo program won't show the odd filenames generated by the camera - because they have no meaning for the user). This "always a custom viewer" is quite a benefit.

      So you can't "just add additional file-stores". You might think that the system would just allow you to add a "pool" of storage so once the iPad was "full" it would use the additional storage. Fine, byt what happens when/if the user removes this new storage?

      Adding removable storage to iOS would lead to some "unwinding" of the modifications made to create it (it started off as OS X with traditional UI for Files - the "Finder"), making it less like an iPad and more like a Mac. One thing that is undeniable, the iPad has proven to be a magic formula that the Mac hasn't - I can't see Apple wanting to dilute that.
      jeremychappell
      Reply 1 Vote

    • RE: "Apple has always been stupid...."

      That's stupidity sure has hurt sales hasn't it?
      non-biased
      Reply Vote
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