The iPhone, Apple’s flagship product, has come a long way since it was launched in 2007. A decade and a half after the first iPhone was introduced, Apple has sold over two billion of its iconic devices worldwide. With each new release, the iPhone has evolved, matured and become smarter than the previous model. In this article, we shall take a look back at the evolution of the iPhone and how it has revolutionized the technology industry.
iPhone (2007)
The iPhone was first released in 2007, and it was a game-changer. It introduced a revolutionary interface, a capacitive touchscreen that replaced the traditional keypad, and a sleek design. The first iPhone was available in two versions, the 4GB model and the 8GB model, and sold out within hours of its launch. The iPhone 1 brought forth the era of touch screen phones, which was unfamiliar and strange to many people at that time.
iPhone 3G (2008)
The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008. It brought with it 3G connectivity, App Store, and GPS. The App Store, in particular, was a game-changer for the iPhone, allowing users to download third-party applications to their phone, which changed the way people use their phones. The iPhone 3G also had a plastic shell and was available in two colors: black and white.
iPhone 3GS (2009)
The iPhone 3GS was launched in 2009 with a 600 MHz processor, compared to the 412 MHz processor in the iPhone 3G. It was also the first iPhone to feature a front-facing camera, 32 GB storage option, and video recording capabilities.
iPhone 4 (2010)
The iPhone 4 introduced the Retina Display, a higher-resolution display that provided a sharper and clearer image. The iPhone 4 also featured a stainless steel frame, which also acted as an antenna. It was also the first iPhone to feature a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera with an LED flash.
iPhone 4S (2011)
The iPhone 4S was launched in 2011 and introduced Siri, a virtual assistant that could answer queries and perform tasks through voice commands. The iPhone 4S also featured an improved camera and a faster processor. It was the first iPhone to be available in three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB.
iPhone 5 (2012)
The iPhone 5 was released in 2012, with a larger 4-inch display, a faster processor, and 4G LTE connectivity. It also featured a thinner and lighter design and introduced the Lightning connector, a smaller and reversible connector for charging and data transfer.
iPhone 5C (2013)
The iPhone 5C was launched in 2013 and was marketed as a more affordable iPhone. It had a plastic shell and was available in five different colors. It shared many of the same features as the iPhone 5 but had a slightly longer battery life.
iPhone 5S (2013)
The iPhone 5S, launched alongside the iPhone 5C in 2013, was the first iPhone to feature a fingerprint scanner, called Touch ID. It also featured an improved camera and a faster 64-bit A7 chip.
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2014)
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were launched in 2014, with the 6 Plus featuring a larger 5.5-inch display. Both models introduced Apple Pay, a mobile payment and digital wallet service that enabled users to pay for items using their iPhone. They also featured an improved camera and a slimmer design.
iPhone 6S and 6S Plus (2015)
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus were released in 2015 with improved processors, camera and now had 3D touch, a new system that enabled the display to recognize different levels of pressure, allowing for new interactions and features. It was also available in a new Rose Gold color.
iPhone SE (2016)
The iPhone SE was launched in 2016 and was a throwback to the old design of the iPhone 4 and 5 models. It had a smaller 4-inch display, but its hardware was similar to the iPhone 6S.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus (2016)
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were launched in 2016 with a new updated camera, new waterproof design, and no headphone jack. The iPhone 7 Plus featured a dual-lens camera, enabling users to capture portrait photos with a blurred background effect.
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (2017)
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were released in 2017 and featured wireless charging, improved cameras, and a glass and aluminum design. They also had a faster processor and were available in a new Gold color option.
iPhone X (2017)
The iPhone X was launched in 2017, and it was the most significant redesign since the original iPhone. It was the first iPhone to have a distinctive all-screen design, facial recognition technology, and no home button. The iPhone X also introduced animojis, which allowed users to create animated emojis by mimicking their facial expressions.
iPhone XS and XS Max (2018)
The iPhone XS and XS Max were launched in 2018, with the XS Max having a larger 6.5-inch display. Both models had improved cameras and faster processors.
iPhone XR (2018)
The iPhone XR was released alongside the XS and XS Max, with a more affordable price tag. It featured a Liquid Retina display and had a single rear-facing camera.
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max (2019)
The iPhone 11 series was launched in 2019 and featured improved cameras, faster processors, and a new Night mode that improved low-light photography. The 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max also introduced triple-lens cameras, while the standard iPhone 11 featured a dual-lens camera. The 11 series was also available in new colors such as Midnight Green and Purple.
iPhone SE (2020)
In 2020, Apple released a new iPhone SE, which was a throwback to the iPhone 8 design. It had updated hardware, including the A13 Bionic chip, and featured a single camera system.
iPhone 12 and 12 Pro (2020)
The iPhone 12 series was launched in 2020 and introduced a new design with a flat edge-to-edge display. The iPhone 12 Pro featured a triple-lens camera system with improved low-light performance and 5G connectivity.
In conclusion, the iPhone has come a long way since it was first introduced in 2007, and each new model sets a higher standard for smartphones. The evolution of the iPhone has revolutionized the technology industry, and it’s exciting to see what new features will be introduced in the future.
