Debate: How much storage do you need on a phone?

512GB minimum. Starting to need 1TB though for pictures - no, cloud backup isn't a solution it's a problem!

512 minimum for me. My 22U is 512, and my 14PM is 1TB.

If the device supports at least 64GB microSDXC cards, then I can get by with 32 or 64GB of internal storage on the same device; however, microSD and SD cards in general seem to be trending their way out these days, so to go cardless, I would at least like 64GB of device storage, and 128GB would be much better (and allow plenty of room to grow). My most important files still fit within 27GB or so at this time, but common apps that I find myself using can often also take up a lot of space, and of course there is the ever-expanding ROM waistline of Android OS as newer versions are developed with newer capabilities and capacity for ever-more-complex functions. If they really are eventually going to also take microSD away, even from the budget devices, then I will have to insist that the device supports USB-C on-the-go at the least... I will settle for USB 2.0 speeds, if necessary, to preserve low prices. I do not yet trust the cloud entirely, either, so my initial free 15GB at Google Drive will still be enough for some time, yet... I only back up to the cloud things I need to access on the go, on any 'terminal' I can get to, or even bring with me. If microSD does go away, then I will be relying on USB-C flash drives for physical backup to my devices, along with the cloud 'necessities'. The small-scale, everything-everywhere, multiple-redundant, "poor man's backup" is the way for me, and I am fine with 64 to 128GB storage on-device, as a result.

Bring back (cheap) MicroSD support AND replaceable batteries!

I agree, with videos now shooting 4k, I'm really starting to think 1TB will be my minimum soon.

There are 2TB cards for sale but it is from the Chinese Aliexpress site. Who knows if they are in fact really 2 TB.

I know there are 2TB cards for sale, that isn't what I said, I said that they do not exist yet, the technology isn't even ready for general sale, and they will NEVER be $15, the largest genuine card currently available is a Micron 1.5TB and it retails for $500.

These so called 2TB cards for $15 are actually 32GB usually rewritten and reprinted, as fake as they come, and yes Walmart actually sell them.

I recently just bought a phone with 256GB and microSD card expansion (my previous was 128GB). I'm personally fine and happy with what I have, I don't really need more than that. To me, 64GB is fine if you are a person that doesn't have a lot of apps or need a lot of storage, but most people these days require a little more than that. I'm not a fan of phones with no SDcard expansion, so most flagships are out of the question for me. I'm happy with mid-range phones, just enough without being too pricey.

512GB is the bare minimum as some games on mobile take 15-30GB, and my music collection is 105GB.

It almost feels like a crime that flagship phones don't have sd slots

C'mon 128GB ROM 6 to 8 RAM every year for 10+ years has been good for 3 children, 5 grandchildren, 1 Million+ in sales yearly. Always can get an SD Card. Now if manufacturer threw in a 256 or 512GB Internal storage for same price sure but an average Joe with all mentioned I'm fine with 128 Internal. Not you, really?

Barry