Future of Video Storage: How to Prepare for 8K and Beyond
Every generation of mobile cameras has made the same promise: better quality, higher resolution. And every generation has delivered—along with dramatically larger file sizes that outpace storage capacity.
The jump from 1080p to 4K quadrupled pixel counts. 4K files consume 170-400 MB per minute on iPhone. Now 8K is on the horizon for mobile, with 33 million pixels per frame—four times more than 4K. Without smarter compression, a single minute of 8K video could consume over 1 GB.
This guide examines the storage challenges ahead, the codec technologies that will address them, and the concrete steps you can take today to prepare your media library for the next decade of video.
The Resolution Escalation
Every step up in resolution multiplies the raw data:
| Resolution | Pixels Per Frame | Relative to 1080p | Typical File Size (1 min, HEVC 30fps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | 2.1 million | 1x | ~65 MB |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | 8.3 million | 4x | ~170 MB |
| 8K (Full UHD) | 33.2 million | 16x | ~600-800 MB (estimated) |
8K has 16 times the pixels of 1080p. Even with HEVC compression, the files are enormous. A 10-minute recording at 8K could consume 6-8 GB. A 1-hour event could eat 40-50 GB.
But resolution isn't the only thing growing.
Beyond Resolution: What Else Is Getting Bigger
Higher frame rates
The trend toward higher frame rates adds more data per second:
- 24fps (cinematic): Baseline
- 30fps (standard): 25% more than 24fps
- 60fps (smooth): 100% more than 30fps
- 120fps (slow-motion ready): 200% more than 60fps
When 8K arrives at 60fps, file sizes could reach 1.5 GB per minute without aggressive compression.
Higher bit depth
Standard video uses 8-bit color (16.7 million colors). HDR video uses 10-bit (1.07 billion colors). Future formats may use 12-bit for professional work. Each step up adds 25-50% to file size.
Spatial video and 3D
Apple Vision Pro introduced spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro—essentially two simultaneous video streams for 3D viewing. Spatial video files are roughly 2x the size of standard video. As spatial/3D recording becomes more common, storage demands double again.
The Compounding Effect
Combine 8K resolution + 60fps + 10-bit HDR + spatial video, and a single minute of recording could theoretically consume 3-5 GB. This makes efficient compression not just useful but essential for mobile video to remain practical.
The Codec Response: VVC and AV1
Just as HEVC saved 4K from being impractical on mobile, next-generation codecs are being developed to handle 8K and beyond.
H.266/VVC (Versatile Video Coding)
VVC was standardized in 2020 and is specifically designed for 8K and immersive content. It offers 30-50% better compression than HEVC, which means:
- An 8K video that would be 800 MB/min in HEVC could be 400-550 MB/min in VVC
- 4K content would shrink even further from today's sizes
- Spatial and 360-degree video gets dedicated optimization
Timeline: Hardware encoding in mobile devices is expected by 2027-2028 for flagships.
AV1
AV1 offers similar efficiency to VVC with royalty-free licensing. It's already used by YouTube and Netflix for 4K streaming. For 8K, AV1 would provide:
- Similar 30-50% improvement over HEVC
- Free deployment across all platforms
- Strong web and streaming support
Timeline: Hardware encoding on mobile is emerging now, with broader support expected by 2027.
HEVC at 8K
- •Current codec handling future resolution
- •Hardware support exists today
- •Adequate but not optimized for 8K
- •Storage demands remain very high
- •Practical ceiling may be reached
VVC/AV1 at 8K
- •Purpose-built for 8K and beyond
- •Hardware support coming 2027-2028
- •Optimized for high-resolution content
- •Makes 8K on mobile practical
- •Designed for spatial and immersive video
What You Can Do Today to Prepare
You don't need to wait for 8K to start preparing. Smart storage management now pays dividends as file sizes grow.
1. Compress your existing library
Every gigabyte you save now is a gigabyte available for future content. Compressing your current library to optimized HEVC creates headroom for the larger files that future recordings will produce.
If you have 40 GB of video and compress it to 20 GB, you've created 20 GB of buffer for future recordings—without buying more storage or upgrading your iCloud plan.
2. Record in HEVC now
Ensure your camera is set to High Efficiency (Settings > Camera > Formats). Every recording made in HEVC rather than H.264 is already half the size. When 8K arrives, you'll want every bit of storage efficiency you can get from your existing content.
3. Build the compression habit
Monthly compression sessions take 10-15 minutes and keep your library lean. By the time 8K recording arrives, you'll have a well-maintained library with maximum available space.
4. Consider your iCloud tier strategically
If you're on the 50 GB iCloud tier now, 8K recording might push you to 200 GB within a year. Compressing your existing library first minimizes how quickly you'll need to upgrade.
Future-Proof Your Storage Strategy
Compress your current video library to HEVC — reclaim 40-70% of video storage as buffer for future growth
Verify camera is set to High Efficiency — all new recordings should use HEVC automatically
Compress photos (especially ProRAW and Live Photos) for additional headroom
Set up a monthly compression routine to maintain an optimized library going forward
Plan iCloud tier with growth in mind — compression today delays the need for expensive upgrades
Storage vs. Compression: A Historical Perspective
Every major resolution jump has been accompanied by a compression breakthrough that kept file sizes manageable:
| Era | Resolution | Codec | Typical File Size (1 min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2012 | 720p-1080p | H.264 | 60-130 MB |
| 2013-2017 | 1080p-4K | H.264 | 130-375 MB |
| 2017-2026 | 4K | HEVC | 170-400 MB |
| ~2028+ | 8K | VVC/AV1 | 350-500 MB (estimated) |
The pattern is clear: resolution quadruples, but codecs improve enough that file sizes only roughly double. Compression technology historically keeps pace with resolution growth—it just takes a few years to catch up.
Pro Tip
The best time to compress your library is before you need the space, not after your phone is full. Think of compression as creating a savings account of storage—the earlier you start, the more buffer you have when 8K and other space-hungry features arrive.
The Realistic 8K Timeline for iPhone
Based on historical patterns and current technology:
2026-2027: 8K sensors begin appearing in flagship phones (Samsung already has 8K video on Galaxy S series). iPhone may add 8K capability to the Pro line.
2027-2028: Hardware VVC/AV1 encoding arrives in mobile chips, making 8K recording practical with reasonable file sizes.
2028-2030: 8K becomes the standard recording option on flagship phones, similar to how 4K became standard around 2018-2020.
2030+: 8K is commonplace, VVC/AV1 are the default codecs, and today's HEVC occupies the role that H.264 plays now—a legacy format that's still supported but no longer the optimal choice.
FAQ
Do I need 8K video?
Not today. In 2026, 4K is more than sufficient for every consumer use case. 8K's advantages are primarily visible on very large displays (75"+) or for future-proofing professional content. When 8K becomes the default recording option, it'll happen automatically—you won't need to "switch" to it.
Will my current iPhone storage be enough for 8K?
Probably not without compression. If 8K files are 3-4x larger than 4K, a 256 GB iPhone's effective video capacity drops from ~25 hours of 4K to ~6 hours of 8K. Compression and efficient codecs will be essential.
Should I stop recording in 4K to save space for the future?
No. 4K is the right choice today. Record at the highest quality your phone supports—you can always compress later, but you can't add resolution after recording. The point of this guide is to manage existing storage efficiently, not to limit your recording quality.
Will HEVC compression still matter when VVC arrives?
Yes. Even after VVC becomes standard for new recordings, your existing HEVC library will remain. And the principles of compression (codec efficiency, bitrate optimization, metadata preservation) apply regardless of which codec is current. The habits and workflows you build now transfer directly to future codecs.
How much storage will I need for 8K?
Estimated needs based on recording habits:
| Usage | Monthly 8K Recording | Estimated Monthly Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Light (casual clips) | 30 min | ~15-20 GB |
| Moderate (events, travel) | 2 hours | ~60-80 GB |
| Heavy (content creation) | 5+ hours | ~150-250 GB |
These estimates assume next-gen codec compression. Without it, multiply by 1.5-2x.
Preparing for 8K: Key Actions
- Compress your current library to HEVC now — creates storage buffer for future growth
- 8K will produce files 3-4x larger than 4K at current compression levels
- Next-gen codecs (VVC, AV1) will reduce 8K sizes by 30-50% vs HEVC
- Hardware encoding for these codecs is expected on mobile by 2027-2028
- The compression habits you build now transfer directly to future codecs
- Start managing storage proactively today rather than reacting when it's full