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Apple might finally fix the one iPhone feature you hate most

Published Feb 13th, 2015 9:55AM EST
iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 6s: Storage Space
Image: Apple Inc.

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Apple might finally fix the one iPhone feature that you hate most once the new iPhone 6s arrives, or at least that’s what one of its most recent app-related moves seems to indicate.

FROM EARLIER: One mysterious new iPhone 6s feature is slowly being uncovered

Apple on Thursday significantly raised the size limit of apps, doubling the previous 2GB cap to 4GB. The move should help developers create better and even more complex apps and games that could include more visually stunning effects than some of the best iOS titles currently available in the App Store.

Of course, this app policy change also suggests that some iPhone and iPad users might encounter issues when it comes to actually using some of these future top apps and games on their devices, especially 8GB and 16GB iPhones and 16GB iPads.

Just last year, Apple encountered an unexpected iOS 8 adoption problem when many iPhone and iPad owners discovered they could not update their gadgets over-the-air to the latest mobile operating system version unless they cleared plenty of storage space, or performed the update using iTunes.

Apple was criticized by many for keeping 16GB devices in place in its lineup when it comes to its new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 devices, especially in light of iOS 8’s storage requirements. This pricing trick benefited Apple financially, however, as more iPhone 6 buyers chose the higher capacity 64GB and 128GB models instead of the basic 16GB one, thus raising the average selling price of the iPhone.

iOS apps that will measure up to 4GB in size will likely be gorgeous, taking advantage of Apple’s improved graphics chips in its latest processors. And Apple will likely promote such well-designed apps. But in order for these apps to become popular, and for developers to thrive financially and keep choosing iOS over Android as the first mobile platform to develop for, they will have to be accessible to as many users as possible, who shouldn’t have to think about what personal photos or content to delete next to install a particularly hot app.

Therefore, Apple’s decision to raise the ceiling of app size limit also could indicate that 2015’s iPhones and iPads will have at least 32GB of storage in the base models, though there’s still plenty of time to wait before Apple officially confirms it.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.