How to Use Our Data Storage Estimator
Enter your estimated usage in the fields below to get a personalized storage recommendation. Don’t worry about being exact; a good guess is all you need to get started.
1. Photos
2. Videos
Video is often the biggest consumer of space. Enter the approximate number of hours of video you plan to store on your device for each quality type.
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Hours of 1080p (HD) Video: Standard high-definition video, common for most recordings.
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Hours of 4K (UHD) Video: Ultra-high-definition video, used by modern smartphones and cameras. It creates much larger files.
3. Music & Apps
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Number of Songs: If you download music for offline listening, enter the number of tracks.
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Number of Apps / Games: Estimate the number of large applications or games you’ll install. (Small apps use minimal space, but games can be huge).
4. Documents
Understanding Your Results: Making the Right Choice
After you input your data, the calculator will provide a “Total Estimated Storage Needed.” This is the raw amount of space your files will likely consume. Below this, you will see our Storage Recommendation.
Our recommendation adds a healthy buffer (usually 25-30%) to your estimated need. This extra space is crucial for:
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The Operating System: Your device’s OS (iOS, Android, Windows) takes up space.
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Future Growth: You’ll take more photos and download more apps over time.
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Performance: Devices run better when their storage isn’t completely full.
For example, if your estimated need is 187 GB, our recommendation will be a 256 GB device.
Assumptions Used in This Calculation
To provide a consistent estimate, our calculator uses industry-standard averages for file sizes. Your own files may be larger or smaller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have too much storage or too little?
It is always better to have too much storage. Running out of space is frustrating and can slow down your device. A good rule of thumb is to choose a storage size that will leave you with at least 25-30% free space after accounting for your files and apps. This gives you a comfortable buffer for future growth and ensures your device runs smoothly.
How much space does the operating system actually take up?
This is space you can’t use from day one. The OS and its essential apps take up a significant chunk of your advertised storage.
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iOS (iPhone/iPad): Typically 10-15 GB.
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Android: Varies by manufacturer, but often 15-25 GB.
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Windows 11: Around 30 GB.
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macOS: Around 25 GB.
Always subtract this amount from the advertised capacity (e.g., 256 GB) when thinking about your true available space.
What’s the difference between device storage and cloud storage?
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Device Storage (Onboard): This is the physical storage built into your phone or laptop (e.g., 256 GB). It’s fast and always available, even without an internet connection. The downside is that it’s fixed; you can’t upgrade it later.
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Cloud Storage (iCloud, Google Drive, etc.): This is storage on remote servers that you access over the internet. It’s great for backups, freeing up device space, and accessing files from multiple devices. The downside is you need an internet connection to access most files and it often requires a monthly subscription fee.
A good strategy is to use both: store your most-used apps and files on your device and use the cloud for backups and long-term archiving.
How can I check my current storage usage?
Knowing what you currently use is the best predictor of your future needs.
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iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
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Android: Go to Settings > Storage.
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Windows: Open File Explorer, click on “This PC”, right-click your C: drive, and select Properties.
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macOS: Click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.
Is 128 GB enough for a new phone in 2025?
For most people, 128 GB is no longer a comfortable amount of storage. It should be considered the bare minimum, suitable only for very light users who don’t take many photos or videos and primarily use cloud services. With 4K video and larger apps becoming standard, 256 GB is the recommended starting point for the average user.
What takes up the most space on most phones?
The biggest culprits are almost always:
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Videos: Especially 4K video. A few minutes can consume several gigabytes.
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Photos: A library of thousands of high-resolution photos quickly adds up.
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Games: Many popular mobile games are 2-10 GB or more.
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Downloaded Media: Offline maps, movies from Netflix, or podcasts can take up a lot of hidden space.
How can I free up storage space if I’m running low?
If you’re constantly seeing “Storage Full” warnings, try these tips:
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Use Cloud Photo Libraries: Services like iCloud Photos or Google Photos can store your full-resolution photos in the cloud, leaving smaller, optimized versions on your device.
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Clear App Caches: Go into the settings for apps like TikTok, Instagram, or your web browser and clear the cache.
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Delete Unused Apps: Get rid of any apps or games you haven’t used in months.
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Offload Offline Media: Delete downloaded playlists, podcasts, or movies after you’ve watched them.
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Use an External Drive: For laptops, moving large project files or old photos to an external SSD can free up tons of space.
What is “Other” or “System Data” storage, and why is it so big?
This is one of the most frustrating categories. “Other” or “System Data” is a catch-all for files that don’t fit into neat categories. It typically includes:
The best way to reduce this is often to back up your device and then perform a factory reset, as this clears out years of accumulated digital clutter.
Does shooting in RAW format for photos take up more space?
Yes, immensely more. A standard JPG photo might be 5 MB, while the same photo in RAW format could be 25-40 MB or more. RAW files capture much more data from the camera’s sensor, making them ideal for professional photographers who need maximum editing flexibility. For everyday users, standard JPG or HEIC formats are far more space-efficient.
Do streaming services like Spotify and Netflix use my device storage?
Streaming itself does not use significant permanent storage; it just uses a small, temporary cache. However, if you use the “Download” feature to save music or movies for offline playback (like on an airplane), that media is saved directly to your device storage and can consume a large amount of space.
Other Tools You Might Find Useful
Now that you have a better idea of your storage needs, these other tools can help you plan.
