iPhone 7 Models May Start With 32GB Of Storage

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An alternate headline for the latest iPhone 7 rumors concerning storage could read: "Apple To Stop Ripping Off Customers ... At Least A Little Bit."

I've been a vocal critic of Apple's stingy storage options on the iPhone over the years. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which have starting prices of $649 and $749, respectively, include just 16GB of internal storage. Some of that is consumed by the system software, leaving iPhone owners with about 12GB to use for their own apps, tunes, videos, and photos.

In order to score more storage, iPhone buyers need to cough up an extra $100 to jump to 64GB, or $200 to jump to 128GB. We all know storage is relatively inexpensive.

The majority of competing smartphones from the likes of Samsung, HTC, and LG ship with 32GB of storage at a minimum, and many include support for expandable memory cards. Memory cards are currently available at capacities up to 256GB.

It appears the Apple may finally be ready to improve the storage-value equation for iPhone buyers, according to some reports.

The iPhone 7 is expected to drop the 16GB base model when it launches later this year in favor of 32GB, according to a supply chain analysis from IHS Technology. The 32GB model will stick with the traditional pricing structure we've seen from Apple, which means it will cost $649 at full retail, or $199 with a contract.

It's not clear what other storage options Apple might make available. It may stay with 64GB and 128GB, or switch to 128GB and 256GB. Earlier reports suggested that the 256GB option is a possibility.

The iPhone's RAM is also expected to get a boost. KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record predicting Apple news, says he believes the iPhone 7 (4.7-inch screen) will ship with 2GB of RAM, while the larger iPhone 7 Plus (5.5-inch screen) will ship with 3GB of RAM.

Other potential upgrades for the iPhone 7 include an OLED display, an improved dual-lens camera, and four speakers.

[Read iPhone 7 Rumor Wars Confuse Apple Watchers.]

The big question everyone wants answered, however, is what shape the iPhone 7 will take. There are myriad conflicting reports. Some believe the iPhone 7 will look entirely different, while others think Apple is set to adopt a new tick-tock-tock cycle with its iPhones. In other words, the iPhone 7 will largely resemble the iPhone 6/6s. KGI recently suggested the iPhone won't see a major design overhaul until 2017.

As expected, Apple has remained mum on the subject. The company isn't expected to announce the iPhone 7 until September.