This week's significant iPhone launch differed for one key reason: It marked the first instance where Apple assigned the "Pro" label to an iPhone. While the company had MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, iMac Pro, and Mac Pro, it had never done so for an iPhone.
When comparing the "standard" iPhone 11 to the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, the latter genuinely live up to their "Pro" designation. They boast superior battery life, a more advanced display, and an additional rear camera sensor, among other enhancements.
However, one particular aspect greatly bothers me: These so-called "pro" phones—where "pro" presumably stands for "professional"—begin with a mere 64GB of storage, identical to the standard iPhone 11.
There was a time when I used to lament the storage capacity of iPhones. For what felt like an eternity, Apple's iPhones began with a meager 16GB, even when that amount of storage became grossly inadequate for even the least demanding users. Admittedly, you could purchase more expensive models with greater storage, but it often felt like a swindle.
Then, in 2016, the iPhone 7 was introduced with 32GB of storage. A year later, the iPhone 8 debuted with 64GB, which felt like a restoration of order in the universe. For users with higher demands, 64GB might still be insufficient—since there's no such thing as too much storage—but it was perfectly acceptable as a starting point. I personally use a 64GB iPhone X as my primary phone, and, despite occasional iOS update notifications about low storage, it generally meets my needs.
So, why do I emphasize the 64GB starting option now? Firstly, many Android flagship phones typically commence with considerably more storage; for instance, Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 offers 256GB of storage.
Nonetheless, I don't take issue with the 64GB starting capacity on the iPhone 11. This phone starts at $699, and one must expect Apple to economize somewhere. However, for the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, the 64GB starting storage capacity is disheartening.
As one Twitter user aptly pointed out, anyone who identifies themselves as a "pro" (however vague that term may be in the context of smartphones) will desire more. The next storage option for the iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max is 256GB, and it costs an extra $150.
This is Apple's marketing brilliance.
Offering a $999 starting price but knowing full well that in 2020, no one who considers themselves "PRO" will settle for just 64GB.
Effectively, the 64GB version serves as a psychological anchor.
The real price starts at $1149 pic.twitter.com/XQ1eASCpZT— Tobias ᴠᴀɴ sᴄʜɴᴇɪᴅᴇʀ (@vanschneider) September 11, 2019
This is Apple's marketing brilliance.
Offering a $999 starting price but knowing full well that in 2020, no one who considers themselves "PRO" will settle for just 64GB.
Effectively, the 64GB version serves as a psychological anchor.
The real price starts at $1149 pic.twitter.com/XQ1eASCpZT
— Tobias ᴠᴀɴ sᴄʜɴᴇɪᴅᴇʀ (@vanschneider) September 11, 2019
Keep in mind that we're discussing phones geared towards professionals. While you could argue that this is a matter of semantics, it's Apple's terminology, not mine. Who are these "pros" that Apple is targeting? Professional videographers? Photographers? Influencers? All of these users will require more than 64GB.
Similar criticisms have been leveled at Apple's MacBook Pro. These laptops are supposed to cater to professionals, yet Apple often prioritizes gimmicky features like the Touch Bar over features that professionals truly need, such as additional ports. Rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to release a 16-inch MacBook Pro that aligns more with the demands of professional users, but this has not been officially confirmed.
With MacBooks, many users eventually swallowed the cost and purchased the pricier options, along with accessories like port adapters that included essential features like HDMI outputs or card readers. I anticipate that "pro" users will do the same with the iPhone 11 Pro; they'll reluctantly pay the extra $150 for the 256GB option.
Nonetheless, they'll likely still feel somewhat shortchanged.