For Apple users, iCloud plays an essential role in keeping data synchronized across devices. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, iCloud provides seamless integration for backing up photos, documents, and app data. In 2015, Apple introduced new iCloud storage tiers, and the 50GB iCloud Storage Plan quickly became a popular choice for users who needed more space but didn’t want to break the bank.
But is the 50GB iCloud plan worth the monthly investment? Let’s dive into what you get for your money, how it fits into daily life, and whether it’s a smart upgrade for Australian Apple users.
What You Get with the 50GB iCloud Plan
The 50GB iCloud plan was priced at AU$1.49 per month in 2015, making it one of the more affordable options for those who needed a bit more storage beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free. The 50GB tier is designed for users who want to store more photos, back up their devices, or keep files readily available across their Apple devices.
Features:
- 50GB of cloud storage: A significant jump from the free 5GB plan, perfect for most casual users.
- Automatic backups: Store essential data like photos, app data, settings, and device backups without manually managing it.
- Seamless sync across devices: Access files, photos, and documents instantly on any Apple device, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even via the web on PC.
- iCloud Photo Library: Store and access thousands of photos without worrying about filling up your device’s storage.
Who Is the 50GB Plan Best For?
The 50GB plan is ideal for users who:
- Have multiple Apple devices and need extra space for automatic backups.
- Want to store a large amount of photos and videos in iCloud, particularly if they use iCloud Photo Library.
- Prefer to sync documents across devices via iCloud Drive for easy access anywhere.
- Need to ensure their iPhone and iPad backups are secure without eating up device storage.
For most users, 50GB is plenty of space for photos, backups, and documents. If you’re not a heavy video or media creator, it’s unlikely you’ll need more storage for personal use.
iCloud Photo Library
One of the standout features of the 50GB plan is how well it handles your photos. With iCloud Photo Library, your entire photo collection is stored in iCloud, meaning you can free up space on your iPhone or iPad while still having access to your media across devices. For users who take a lot of photos and videos, the extra storage prevents the dreaded “Storage Almost Full” message from popping up.
With 50GB, you can store thousands of photos and hundreds of short video clips, depending on the file sizes. This plan offers peace of mind that your memories are safely backed up and can be accessed from any Apple device, or even a web browser if needed.
Device Backups
Another major advantage of upgrading to the 50GB plan is the ability to back up all your devices effortlessly. Apple’s 5GB free storage tier is quickly exhausted by just one iPhone or iPad, especially when you factor in app data and system backups. The 50GB plan gives you ample room to back up multiple devices and apps.
By using iCloud Backup, all your important data—ranging from contacts and messages to app data and settings—gets stored in the cloud. If you ever lose or upgrade your device, restoring your data is as simple as logging into your iCloud account. This automated process means you don’t have to worry about manually backing up your data.
iCloud Drive for Documents
For those who work on the go or across devices, iCloud Drive becomes a valuable feature. The 50GB plan provides plenty of room for storing and syncing documents between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This is particularly useful for students or professionals who use Pages, Numbers, or other Apple apps.
iCloud Drive ensures that your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations are always accessible, no matter where you are. The integration with Finder on Mac and Files on iOS devices makes this feature user-friendly and reliable.
Pricing and Value in Australia
At AU$1.49 per month, the 50GB iCloud plan is a highly affordable upgrade for most users. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you get 10 times the storage of Apple’s free plan. While not the cheapest cloud storage service on the market, iCloud’s seamless integration with Apple devices makes it a compelling option for Apple users. The convenience and peace of mind it offers—knowing your files, photos, and backups are secure—are worth the small monthly fee for many.
If you need more storage later, Apple also offers 200GB (AU$4.49/month) and 1TB (AU$14.99/month) plans, but for many users, the 50GB tier strikes the perfect balance between cost and utility.
How It Compares to Competitors
While there are cheaper cloud storage alternatives, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, what iCloud offers is unmatched integration with the Apple ecosystem. Apple’s automatic backups, seamless syncing across devices, and privacy policies make iCloud a clear choice for Apple users.
- Google Drive offers 15GB for free, but it isn’t as tightly integrated with iOS and macOS, and managing backups isn’t as smooth.
- Dropbox also has limited free storage (2GB), with premium plans that quickly become more expensive than iCloud.
For Apple users, the iCloud 50GB plan’s ease of use and deep integration across Apple’s devices make it a no-brainer.
Final Thoughts
The Apple iCloud 50GB plan is a great value for Australian users looking to expand their storage without spending much. At AU$1.49 per month, it offers plenty of room for photos, backups, and documents, making it ideal for users with multiple Apple devices or those who frequently use iCloud for photos and file syncing.
Its deep integration into Apple’s ecosystem, combined with the ability to effortlessly manage device backups and photo storage, makes the 50GB plan an excellent investment. For users who are tired of constantly running out of space or manually managing their storage, this plan strikes the perfect balance of price and functionality