A 'Pro' iPhone should start with more than 64GB of storage

This week's big iPhone unveiling was different for one particular reason: It was the first time Apple ever gave an iPhone the "Pro" moniker. The company had the MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro and the iMac Pro and the Mac Pro, but never an iPhone Pro.

When compared with the "regular" iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max mostly deserve the name. They have better battery life, a fancier screen and an additional rear camera sensor, among other features.

But one thing irks me to no end: These supposedly pro phones -- "pro," I reckon, denoting "professional" -- only start with 64GB of storage, just like the regular iPhone 11.

Now, there used to be a time when I complained about the storage on iPhones. For what seemed like eternity, Apple's iPhones started with 16GB, even when that amount of storage became ridiculously too little for even the least demanding of users. Sure, you could buy the pricier models with more storage, but it just felt like being cheated.

Then, in 2016, the iPhone 7 came along and it started with 32GB of storage. A year later, the iPhone 8 started with 64GB, and the order in the universe was restored. For demanding users, 64GB may still have been low -- there's no such thing as enough storage, really -- but it was perfectly fine as a starting option. I use a 64GB iPhone X as my main phone, and even though iOS updates do bring a note that I'm low on storage, most of the time I'm fine.

So why am I pointing out the 64GB starting option now? For one thing, Android flagships typically start with far more; for example, Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 has 256GB of storage.

But I don't mind the 64GB starting capacity on the iPhone 11. That phone starts at $699, and you have to expect Apple to cut costs somewhere. On the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, however, the 64GB starting storage capacity is just sad.

As one Twitter user pointed out, anyone who actually thinks of themselves as a "pro" (however vague the term may be in the context of smartphones) will want more -- and the next storage option for the iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max is 256GB which costs $150 more.

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Remember, these are pro-grade phones we're talking about. Yes, you may call it semantics, but it's Apple's semantics, not mine. Who are these "pros" Apple is aiming at? Pro videographers? Pro photographers? Influencers? These users will need more than 64GB.

I've seen similar criticism — and I tend to agree — aimed at Apple's MacBooks Pro. These should be laptops for professionals, and yet Apple prioritizes gimmicky features like the Touch Bar over things pros actually need, like more ports. Rumors say Apple is about to launch a 16-inch MacBook Pro that's a bit more in touch with the demanding users' requests, but it hasn't been officially announced.

When it comes to the MacBook, many users sucked it up and bought the pricier options, and then bought accessories like port adapters that have essential features like an HDMI output or card reader. And I suspect "pro" users will do the same when it comes to the iPhone 11 Pro; they'll clench their teeth and dish out the additional $150 for the 256GB of option.

Again, though, they'll probably feel a little bit cheated.