From the Original to the Latest: A Look at Every iPhone Model So Far
Apple’s iPhone is one of the most successful and innovative smartphones in history. Since its launch in 2007, the company has introduced many models with upgraded features and specifications. Here’s a closer look at each iPhone model so far, from the first to the latest.
iPhone (2007)
Released in 2007, the original iPhone was a game-changer in the mobile industry. The phone had a 3.5-inch display and a 2-megapixel camera. It featured a touch screen and ran on Apple’s iOS operating system. It had no front camera or video recording capability, and its storage was limited to 4GB or 8GB.
Key features:
- Touch screen display
- Revolutionary multi-touch interface
- Safari web browser
- iTunes media player
- Google Maps
iPhone 3G (2008)
The second-generation iPhone, iPhone 3G, was released in 2008. It featured 3G cellular connectivity, a plastic back, and a curved design. It also had a GPS receiver and support for Microsoft Exchange.
Key features:
- 3G data network
- GPS
- App Store
- Microsoft Exchange support
- Better battery life
iPhone 3GS (2009)
In 2009, Apple released the iPhone 3GS, which had a faster processor and more storage than its predecessor. It also had an improved camera and support for voice control.
Key features:
- Faster performance
- Video recording
- Voice control
- Digital compass
- More storage options
iPhone 4 (2010)
The iPhone 4, released in 2010, was a major redesign. It featured a glass front and back, stainless steel frame, and a higher resolution Retina display. It also had a front-facing camera for video calls and a new gyroscope sensor.
Key features:
- Retina display
- Front-facing camera
- Facetime video calls
- Gyroscope sensor
- HD video recording
iPhone 4S (2011)
The iPhone 4S, released in 2011, introduced Siri, a virtual assistant that could understand natural language voice commands. It also had a better camera and support for 1080p HD video recording.
Key features:
- Siri virtual assistant
- 8-megapixel camera
- 1080p HD video recording
- Dual-core processor
- iCloud integration
iPhone 5 (2012)
The iPhone 5, released in 2012, was the first iPhone to have a larger 4-inch screen. It also had a new Lightning connector, a faster processor, and support for 4G LTE.
Key features:
- Larger 4-inch screen
- Faster processor
- 4G LTE support
- Lightning connector
- Improved front-facing camera
iPhone 5C (2013)
The iPhone 5C, released in 2013, was a lower-cost version of the iPhone 5. It had a plastic back, came in various colors, and had a better front-facing camera.
Key features:
- Colorful design
- Improved front-facing camera
- Lower price point
- Siri virtual assistant
- iOS 7 operating system
iPhone 5S (2013)
Also released in 2013, the iPhone 5S was the first iPhone to have a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. It also had a better camera and a faster processor.
Key features:
- Touch ID fingerprint scanner
- Improved camera
- Faster processor
- Dual LED flash
- 64-bit architecture
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (2014)
In 2014, Apple introduced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. These models had a larger screen than previous iPhones, with the iPhone 6 featuring a 4.7-inch screen and the iPhone 6 Plus featuring a 5.5-inch screen. They also had an improved camera, Apple Pay support, and a faster processor.
Key features:
- Larger screen size (4.7 inches for iPhone 6, 5.5 inches for iPhone 6 Plus)
- Improved camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
- NFC for Apple Pay support Faster A8 processor with 64-bit architecture
- Improved battery life
iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus (2015)
The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, released in 2015, were the first iPhones to have 3D Touch, a feature that allowed the phone to sense different levels of pressure on the screen. They also had an improved camera, faster processor, and support for Live Photos, which allowed users to capture and view moving images.
Key features:
- 3D Touch screen
- Improved camera with 4K video recording
- Live Photos support
- Faster A9 processor with 64-bit architecture
- Improved Touch ID sensor
iPhone SE (2016)
The iPhone SE, released in 2016, was a lower-cost iPhone that had the same design as the iPhone 5S but with upgraded specifications, including a faster processor, better camera, and support for Apple Pay.
Key features:
- 4-inch Retina display
- 12-megapixel camera with 4K video recording
- Faster A9 processor with 64-bit architecture
- Touch ID fingerprint scanner Apple Pay support
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (2016)
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, released in 2016, were the first iPhones to have water resistance and a new, pressure-sensitive home button. The iPhone 7 Plus also had a dual-lens camera that allowed for optical zoom and portrait mode, a feature that blurred the background of a photo.
Key features:
- Water-resistant design
- Pressure-sensitive home button
- Improved camera (dual-lens for iPhone 7 Plus)
- Faster A10 Fusion processor with 64-bit architecture
- Stereo speakers
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (2017)
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, released in 2017, had a glass back and wireless charging. They also had improved cameras and a faster processor.
Key features:
- Wireless charging
- Glass back design
- Improved camera
- Faster A11 Bionic processor with 64-bit architecture
- Augmented reality capabilities
iPhone X (2017)
The iPhone X, pronounced “iPhone ten,” was released in 2017 and had a new design with an edge-to-edge OLED screen and no home button. It had a facial recognition system, known as Face ID, which replaced the Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
Key features:
- Edge-to-edge OLED screen
- Facial recognition (Face ID) technology
- Animoji (animated emoji) support
- Improved dual-lens camera
- A11 Bionic processor with 64-bit architecture
iPhone XR (2018)
The iPhone XR, released in 2018, had a lower price point than the iPhone X and featured a larger screen and a single-lens camera. It also came in a variety of colors.
Key features:
- 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display
- Single-lens camera with portrait mode
- A12 Bionic processor with 64-bit architecture
- Face ID facial recognition technology
- Colorful design options
iPhone XR (2018)
In 2018, Apple released the iPhone XR, which was positioned as a more affordable alternative to the iPhone XS. The phone featured a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, an aluminum and glass design, and a single-lens rear camera. It also had Face ID facial recognition, wireless charging, and support for dual SIM cards.
Key features:
- Liquid Retina display
- Aluminum and glass design
- Single-lens rear camera
- Face ID facial recognition
- Dual SIM support
- Wireless charging
iPhone XS and XS Max (2018)
Also released in 2018, the iPhone XS and XS Max featured a more advanced A12 Bionic chip, an improved camera system, and a gold color option. The XS Max had a larger 6.5-inch display, making it the largest iPhone at the time.
Key features:
- A12 Bionic chip
- Improved camera system
- Gold color option
- Face ID facial recognition
- Dual SIM support
- Wireless charging
- 6.5-inch OLED display (XS Max)
iPhone 11 (2019)
In 2019, Apple released the iPhone 11, which featured a new dual-camera system, Night mode, and the A13 Bionic chip. The phone also had a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display and a range of color options.
Key features:
- Dual-camera system
- Night mode
- A13 Bionic chip
- Liquid Retina display
- Wide range of color options
iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max (2019)
The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, also released in 2019, were targeted at professional users. They featured a triple-camera system, Night mode, and the A13 Bionic chip. The Pro Max had a 6.5-inch OLED display, the largest ever on an iPhone.
Key features:
- Triple-camera system
- Night mode
- A13 Bionic chip
- Pro design with stainless steel and matte glass
- 6.5-inch OLED display (Pro Max)
iPhone SE (2020)
In 2020, Apple released the second-generation iPhone SE, which was positioned as an affordable option for those who wanted the latest technology in a familiar design. The phone featured the A13 Bionic chip, a single-lens camera system, and Touch ID.
Key features:
- A13 Bionic chip
- Single-lens camera system
- Touch ID
- Affordable price point
- Familiar design
iPhone 12 and 12 mini (2020)
The iPhone 12 and 12 mini, released in 2020, featured a new design with flat edges, 5G connectivity, and the A14 Bionic chip. The phones also had a new Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple claimed was four times more durable than previous models.
Key features:
- New flat-edge design
- 5G connectivity
- A14 Bionic chip
- Ceramic Shield front cover
- Dual-camera system
iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max (2020)
The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, also released in 2020, were targeted at professional users. They featured a triple-camera system with LiDAR scanner, a new ProRAW photo format, and the A14 Bionic chip. The Pro Max had the largest ever display on an iPhone, at 6.7 inches.
Key features:
- Triple-camera system with LiDAR scanner
- ProRAW photo format
- A14 Bionic chip
- Pro design with stainless steel and matte glass
- 6.1-inch OLED display (Pro) or 6.7-inch OLED display (Pro Max)
iPhone 13 (2021)
The latest iPhone 13 was released in September 2021. It features a new A15 Bionic chip, a Ceramic Shield front cover, and an improved camera system. The phone also has a smaller notch, more storage options, and better battery life. It comes in four models: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Key features:
- A15 Bionic chip
- Ceramic Shield front cover
- Improved camera system
- Smaller notch
- More storage options
- Better battery life
iPhone 14 (2022)
The latest iPhone 13 was released in September 2021. It features a new A15 Bionic chip, a Ceramic Shield front cover, and an improved camera system. The phone also has a smaller notch, more storage options, and better battery life. It comes in four models: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Key features:
- A15 Bionic chip
- Satellite service lets you make emergency calls anywhere
- Better cameras that can record in dimmer light
- The always-on screen saves power while showing your notifications
- A new force sensor detects if you’ve been in a car crash
- The fastest internal chips yet
- The infamous iPhone notch is gone
Conclusion:
The iPhone has come a long way since its launch in 2007. With each model, Apple has introduced new and innovative features that have changed the way we use smartphones. From the original iPhone to the latest iPhone 14, the brand has maintained its reputation as a leader in the mobile industry. Each model has offered improved specifications and features, from the touch screen display and multi-touch interface to the A15 Bionic chip and improved camera system. With each release, Apple continues to push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do, and it will be exciting to see what they come up with next.
