Since the launch of iPhones in 2007, Apple has revolutionized the smartphone market with its innovative design, useful features, and intuitive user interface. With over 2.3 billion units sold globally, the iPhone is considered one of the most brilliant smartphones ever made. Apple has consistently upgraded the iPhone with new generations and phones, providing insight into one of the most significant 21st-century technologies.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore how much the iPhone has evolved over the years.
iPhone
The iPhone, released in June 2007, was a popular Apple 3-in-1 device known for its larger screen, multi-touch interface, and on-screen keyboard. It featured a 3.5-inch display, 2G internet connectivity, a 2-megapixel camera, ambient light and proximity sensors, an on-screen keyboard, and storage options of 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB. It also supported YouTube, Google Maps, and iTunes.
iPhone 3G (2008)
The iPhone 3G, with its glossy plastic design, 3G connectivity, and GPS, was the first iPhone to offer 4GB of storage and was available in 8GB and 16GB versions. It also included the Apple App Store, enhancing user experience and allowing developers to create mobile applications, despite the flawed 3.5mm jack on the original iPhone.
iPhone 3GS (2009)
The iPhone 3GS was a slow update that brought quicker 3G connectivity and speed enhancements. It was the first iPhone with a 3-megapixel VGA camera for video recording. For precise map alignment, the phone also had a digital compass. A landscape keyboard, push alerts, and copy and paste were among the other advances. Along with adding a digital compass for precise alignment, the phone’s design sought to be more potent and nimble.
iPhone 4 (2010)
The iPhone 4 featured an LED flash, which was not present on earlier iPhone models, a 5 megapixel camera for HD video capture, and FaceTime, which allowed video calls from any location. Additionally, it had Apple’s first Retina display, which was unique for the iPhone and improved text readability.
iPhone 4s (2011)
In 2011, Apple produced the iPhone 4s, introducing Siri, a smart voice assistant, and a 3.5-inch phone with a two-antenna design. The iPhone 4s also featured a powerful dual-core chip, the Apple A5, an 8-megapixel camera, and iCloud, a cloud-storage solution. The iPhone 4s fixed issues with antenna-gate and aimed to appeal to larger device users.
iPhone 5 (2012)
The iPhone 5 was the first model to utilize LTE technology, which allowed for the availability of content and big tasks on cellular data. In addition, it featured improved microphones for crystal-clear audio during FaceTime and calls, as well as the Lightning port, which marked a major change from the earlier 30-pin adapter.
iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c (2013)
The iPhone 5S introduced Touch ID, a feature that would be used in future iPhone models. It featured an A7 processor and new camera technologies. The iPhone 5C, released alongside the 5S, was Apple’s first budget-conscious iPhone, available in vibrant colors and using the same hardware as the 2012 iPhone 5. This allowed it to be offered at a lower price, making it one of the cheapest iPhones.
iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus (2014)
The iPhone 6 revolutionized the iPhone design, offering a slim, pocket-friendly device with Apple Pay powered by NFC technology. It was the first iPhone generation to introduce multiple models, with the iPhone 6 Plus featuring a larger 5.5-inch screen, making it a versatile choice for any pocket.
iPhone 6S & iPhone 6s Plus (2015)
The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were the first iPhones to record 4K video, outperforming Android phones with high-quality video quality. The iPhone 6S’s flagship feature was 3D Touch, allowing the screen to sense and respond to pressure, enabling multiple commands based on how firmly it was pressed. It also became the first iPhone to support 4K video, making it a versatile device for filming.
iPhone SE – 2016
The iPhone SE (Special Edition) reintroduced the 5S’s body style and introduced updated features like 4K video, offering a quality and compact option at a lower price point. This marked the first iPhone SE, with two more generations produced after 2016.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (2016)
The iPhone 7 launched in Fall 2016, removing the headphone jack and introducing Bluetooth or Lightning port for audio. It also added water resistance, a sturdy home button with Taptic Engine for haptic feedback, and the first iPhone with a dual camera system. Also, the iPhone 7 Plus was the first iPhone to offer a dual camera system.
iPhone 8, 8 Plus & iPhone X (2017)
The iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, all launched in 2017, shared innovation such as glass back, wireless charging, Apple A11 Bionic chip with neural engine, and 64GB and 256GB storage options. The iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were the most innovative iPhones of the year.
iPhone XS, XR, XS Max (2018)
The iPhone XS, while lacking significant improvements, introduced water resistance and a dual-SIM tray for easy overseas SIM card loading. The iPhone XR also featured an LCD display and a single camera on the back, offering a similar experience to the premium iPhone X and iPhone XS at an affordable price point.
iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max (Sept 2019)
In 2019, Apple introduced three new iPhones, all featuring an ultra-wide camera for landscape and tight space photography. The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max had high-quality AMOLED screens and gained popularity for their thicker phones and larger batteries. Night Mode was introduced, combining long exposure images in dim light for better images. The iPhone 11 was the most popular model.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) 2020
The iPhone SE 2 significantly improved performance with a new A13 Bionic chip, a larger screen size of 4.7 inches, True Tone display, and Haptic Touch, a feature not found in the first model, ensuring superior picture quality and adaptability to various environments.
iPhone 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max (2020)
Apple launched four iPhones in late 2020, featuring a refresh in design with flat sides, thin bodies, and a compact form factor. All four models feature 5G connectivity, support for mmWave in the US, and automatic switchback to LTE networks when 5G networks are unavailable. All four now feature OLED displays with rich color and deep blacks, unlike the iPhone 11 model’s LCD screen.
iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max (2021)
Apple launched its iPhone 13 series, including four models with varying battery capacities, despite a global chip shortage. The camera features Photographic Styles for controlling color and contrast, and Cinematic Mode for 1080p video recording. The iPhone 13 series also introduced brighter screens for outdoor use, a smaller notch, and increased thickness and weight.
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) – 2022
The iPhone SE 3 was released in 2022, bringing back the home button for the first time in five years and featuring 5G connectivity to take advantage of new 5G towers. It also added many photography features from the SE 2 and SE 3 models, including Night Mode and Photographic Styles.
iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max (2022)
The iPhone 14 series introduced new features like Emergency SOS, Satellite connectivity for emergency response, and improved camera systems with ultrawide and zoom lenses. The Plus model, a standard iPhone 14 with a larger screen, returns for this generation.
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Ultra (2023)
Apple introduced the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max in September 2023. The 15 and 15 Plus have a 48-megapixel camera, A16 Bionic chip, Dynamic Island, brighter screen, and USB-C port. The 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have a titanium frame, 5X zoom camera, A17 Pro chipset, slimmer bezels, and faster USB-C port.
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max (2024)
The iPhone 16 lineup, released in September 2024, includes four models with gradual upgrades from the 15 series. These feature the new Camera Control, larger 6.9-inch displays, better battery life, and a 5X telephoto lens. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus keep their screen sizes but now have newer chips, brighter colors, and the Action Button.
iPhone 16e (2025)
Apple launched the iPhone 16e in 2025, replacing the SE models as the cheapest iPhones. This more capable model features a 6.1-inch OLED screen, A18 chip, 8GB RAM, and Apple Intelligence support. However, it lacks a secondary camera and MagSafe. It’s unclear if Apple will refresh this model annually or less frequently like the SE series.
iPhone 17 series
Apple is set to introduce a new iPhone 17 Air model in Septermber 2025, replacing the Plus model with a slim, lightweight device priced at $900. The iPhone 17 will also receive upgrades such as 120Hz ProMotion, a new chip, a new Pro chip, camera improvements, and possibly a boost in battery life for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be a significant addition to Apple’s flagship lineup.
