How to use the phone storage calculator
- Pick the storage size. Choose the capacity you are considering or already own, from 64 GB to 2 TB.
- Enter what is used. Add the space taken by the system and your apps. Check Settings → Storage for the exact figure.
- Choose your media quality. Select your usual photo, video and music quality. Higher quality means larger files.
- Adjust the mix. Move the sliders to match how you use your phone. The counts update instantly and the remainder goes to apps and games.
How much storage do you really need?
The answer depends far more on video than on photos. A single minute of 4K video at 30 frames per second uses as much space as roughly 35 to 100 high-resolution photos, so people who record a lot of clips fill a phone much faster than people who mostly take pictures.
Why your phone shows less than you paid for
A 128 GB phone does not give you 128 GB. The operating system, preinstalled apps and system files take a real share, often 10 to 20 GB or more. On top of that, manufacturers count 1 GB as one billion bytes, while some systems display binary gibibytes, so the number looks lower still.
Typical file sizes
A 12 MP photo is around 3 MB, a 48–50 MP photo around 10 MB and a RAW shot 25 MB or more. A 1080p video minute is about 100 MB, a 4K 30 fps minute about 350 MB, and a 4K 60 fps minute around 600 MB. A compressed song is about 4 MB, and a lossless track about 30 MB.
Cloud and expandable storage
If you back up photos to the cloud, a smaller phone can be enough. If you shoot lots of 4K video or keep offline media, choose 256 GB or more. To see what is using space on your device, follow the storage guide, and compare screens with the PPI calculator before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
After about 25 GB for the system and apps, a 128 GB phone has roughly 100 GB free, which holds about 10,000 photos at 10 MB each or about 33,000 at 3 MB each.
With around 230 GB free, 4K at 30 fps (about 350 MB per minute) is roughly 11 hours. At 60 fps, which is about 600 MB per minute, it falls to around 6 hours.
For most people yes, especially with cloud photo backup. Heavy video shooters, mobile gamers and people who keep music offline should consider 256 GB or more.
After about 25 GB is used, a 64 GB phone has roughly 39 GB free. At 4 MB per compressed song that is about 9,700 songs, or about 1,300 lossless songs at 30 MB each.
The operating system and preinstalled apps use part of the space, and capacity is measured in decimal gigabytes. Both reduce the number you see in Settings.
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is stored or sent.