iPhone 17 reveals weaknesses.

The base iPhone 17 model has lower read and write speeds compared to the higher-capacity version. Photo: Bloomberg .

Apple has upgraded the starting storage capacity of the iPhone 17 to 256 GB, double the 128 GB of the previous generation. Users don't need to pay extra, as the price of the iPhone 17 remains the same as the iPhone 16 launched last year. Both the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the new iPhone Air model have a minimum storage capacity of 256 GB, a positive change for users.

However, according to Mac Observer , a new finding from Chinese users suggests that the 256GB version of the iPhone 17 may use components with slower storage speeds compared to higher-capacity versions. This information was shared by tech YouTuber DirectorFeng, after testing the performance of the new iPhone 17 models.

According to published results, the 256GB iPhone 17 scored approximately 90,000-100,000 points in AnTuTu's storage test, while the 512GB and 1TB versions scored around 150,000 points. The 2TB version, exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, has not yet been tested.

DirectorFeng suggests that this difference stems from the type of flash memory chip Apple uses. It seems only higher-capacity versions are equipped with faster chips. However, the iPhone Air is an exception, as all versions from 256 GB to 1 TB use the same high-speed storage chip.

Storage speed isn't a frequently mentioned factor in iPhone reviews, as this difference has little impact on daily use. In fact, all iPhone 17 models are equipped with the A19 and A19 Pro processors, along with 8-12 GB of RAM, resulting in significantly faster overall performance compared to the previous generation.

In DirectorFeng's tests, the 256GB iPhone 17 achieved read speeds of 1,653 MB/second and write speeds of 1,749 MB/second, nearly matching some high-end portable SSDs. Meanwhile, the 256GB iPhone Air performed even better, with read speeds of 3,246 MB/second and write speeds of 4,195 MB/second, surpassing even the MacBook Air M3 in some measurements.

However, users are unlikely to notice this difference in real-world use, unless they frequently transfer large amounts of data via the USB-C port. It's worth noting that the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air only support a maximum transfer speed of 60 MB/second, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models reach speeds of up to 1,250 MB/second.

YouTuber DirectorFeng also warned users against trying to "upgrade" their iPhone's storage chip by replacing the hardware, as Apple does not support this service and most repair shops do not offer it.