13 min
Is Apple event marked on your September 9 calendar? Smartphone & iPhone users worldwide highly anticipate the reveal of the new iPhone 16 series on this day. Rumors and expectations are all over your feeds but we won't really know until the drum roll begins. And in the spirit of technological enthusiasm, how about a scroll down memory lane to the genesis of the first iPhone in 2007 up to this day in 2024?
Who remembers how the first-ever iPhone model looks like? In fact, let me ask you this; do you even remember what life before iPhone felt like? Quite bizarre, isn't it? Chances are we'll all have a good laugh about it considering the fast-paced and highly innovative tech-products we operate nowadays...and even more so, how your entire life down to its last detail is encrypted within the buttons of this device.
It is no secret that iPhones revolutionized the face of mobile usage and transformed the entire phone landscape and market, opening us to a technological realm that has taken over every aspect of our life. The groundbreaking impact of the iPhone on technology, society and the success it brought to Apple is a story for generations to-come. Here, we will explore the evolution of iPhone since its inception in 2007 up to the new iPhone 16 models in 2024, how we were introduced us to the world of touchscreens and revolutionary mobile phone apps.
Apple's first iPhone was announced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007
This model cost $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for the 8GB model and it was a revolutionary device upon its release; in the sense that it operated as an iPod, phone, and internet communicator in a single device. The first iPhone's specs were a 3.5-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera, and a multi-touch interface, operating on a custom version of iOS, then called iPhone OS.
The iPhone 3G was introduced on June 9, 2008, and it was available on July 11, 2008
The second generation, the iPhone 3G, featured 3G connectivity, GPS, and the App Store, which allowed users to download third-party apps. Boy that was a game-changer. You can tell it has the same design as the original iPhone but with updated internals. It came in two models: 8GB and 16GB, priced at $199 and $299.
The iPhone 3GS launched in 2009
Here the main difference and upgrade lies in the GB storage capacity. Also this marked the beginning of the Apple tradition of adding S to the names. S stood for speed. This model was faster, featured a 3-megapixel camera with video recording, and introduced voice control.
The iPhone 4 was unveiled on June 7, 2010, it became available on June 24, 2010
The iPhone 4 was a game changer! It was a complete redesign from the previous 3 models with a sleek glass body and pixel-perfect retina display, came in two models, 16GB and 32GB, priced at $199 and $299, respectively. Hello Facetime and front-facing camera! A main redefinition feature is that the iPhone 4 gave way to a new era of multitasking as you could interact with multiple apps at once.
The iPhone 4S was released in 2011 and only had minor updates, Siri was born!
The iPhone 4s had three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, priced at $199, $299, and $399, respectively, retained the same design as the iPhone 4 and was powered by the dual-core A5 chip. The camera got upgraded to 8 megapixels. At that point, Siri became the voice assistant of it all! The S here didn't stand for speed. It stood for “Siri”!
The iPhone 5 was unveiled on September 12, 2012, became available on September 21, 2012
At this stage, the iPhone history witnessed a big change! The usual 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, priced at $199, $299, and $399 - here the screen had the addition of the new row of apps below above the home button! The iPhone 5 featured a taller 4-inch display and the A6 chip. It also replaced the charging port for a Lightning connector, added LTE support for new 4G networks, and the phone's casing was now made of lightweight aluminum.
Apple announced the iPhone 5s on September 10, 2013, was released on September 20, 2013
The touch ID button was invented with the iPhone 5s model! Everyone said goodbye to passwords and the fingerprint access was the new way to go. Otherwise, The iPhone 5s had minimal design upgrades. However alongside the Touch ID, this iPhone also had a new M7 motion processor which meant, tracking your steps became the new trend and the idea of digital fitness tracking was seeing the light.
Apple introduced the iPhone 5c on September 10, 2013
As you can clearly see this is the fun, colorful and affordable option which was released simultaneously with the 5s. The iPhone 5c started at $99 for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model, which ultimately made it more popular with its plastic, colorful shell and similar internal features with the iPhone 5.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on September 9, 2014
The iPhone 6 Plus was the first attempt at a large-screened smartphone with a display size of 5.5 inches from corner to corner. Both models featured a redesigned, thinner profile, larger displays, and the A8 chip. These two models were the first to support Apple Pay and the camera became more advanced, giving better photo and video results. As for pricing, the iPhone 6 had three storage capacities: 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB, priced at $199, $299, and $399, respectively.
Apple announced the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus on September 9, 2015
Although the outside of the phone didn't change much from the previous models, however the inside changed everything and made new iPhone history. These models introduced the A9 chip, and improved camera technology, as well as supported LTE-Advanced networks and had completely new 3D Touch Displays, which was a new way of touching our phones. Apple also made it possible to take Live Photos.
The iPhone SE was introduced on March 21, 2016, and it was available on March 31, 2016
Apple brought back the smaller 4-inch screen with this one since not everyone was a fun of the bigger screens. In other words, the iPhone SE looked like the iPhone 5s and functioned like the iPhone 6s, featuring the A9 chip, a 12-megapixel camera, and Touch ID. It catered to users who preferred a smaller, more affordable iPhone.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus on September 7, 2016
These models came in three storage capacities: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB, priced at $649, $749, and $849 for the iPhone 7, and higher for the 7 Plus. They have A10 Fusion chip and an advanced dual-camera system, which meant users can now take high quality "Portraits". In this design they removed the headphone jack, remember how everyone was so confused about that? Additionally, Apple made this water-resistant and included the most advanced processors yet.
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were announced on September 12, 2017
The iPhone 8 introduced an entirely new glass design, came in three storage options: 64GB, 256GB, and 64GB, priced at $699, $849, and $849 for the iPhone 8, and higher for the 8 Plus. Let's talk about the groundbreaking features of this model: can be charged wirelessly, had the most powerful and smartest chip ever, the A11 Bionic, the Retina HD display along with the new 12-megapixel camera makes your photos and videos look more colorful than ever and the Bionic chip provided augmented reality apps.
Apple released the new iPhone X on November 3, 2017
It came in two storage capacities: 64GB and 256GB, priced at $999 and $1,149, respectively. So what's new about this one? The device and screen seamlessly became one creating an immersive experience, Apple also eliminated the home button and created a navigation that is strictly gesture-based. Things were getting more and more advanced. Face ID was born with the TrueDepth camera system that allowed users to unlock their phone with their faces.
Apple unveiled the iPhone XR on September 12, 2018
Priced at $749, it featured the A12 Bionic chip, a single-lens camera, and a colorful design. The LCD Liquid Retina display and Face ID were also included. It was a popular choice for those who wanted the core iPhone experience with a slightly lower price point.
The iPhone XS was also released on September 12, 2018
Price started at $999. It featured the A12 Bionic chip, a dual-lens camera system, and a stainless steel frame. The Super Retina OLED display and Face ID were highlights of the XS. It offered improvements in performance and camera capabilities over its predecessor, the iPhone X.
The iPhone XS Max was unveiled on September 12, 2018, alongside the iPhone XR
With a higher price than its sister models, starting at $1,099, the XS Max featured the powerful A12 Bionic chip, a sophisticated dual-lens camera system, and a sleek stainless steel frame. The device boasted a Super Retina OLED display which meant stunning visuals, and a security-enhanced Face ID feature. With the higher price came significant improvements in both performance and camera capabilities, which meant a better experience for users seeking cutting-edge technology.
Apple introduced the iPhone 11 (11 Pro & 11 Pro Max) on September 10, 2019
The iPhone 11 was priced at $699 for the base model, while the Pro started at $999 and the 11 Pro Max at $1,099. The iPhone 11 featured Apple's A13 Bionic chip, improved dual-camera system, and a longer battery life. This model put the camera game on another pedestal.
Apple unveiled the new iPhone 12 series, On October 13, 2020
Starting at $799 going up to $1099, the iPhone 12 series, consisting of the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, introduced 5G capabilities, a new MagSafe feature for improved accessories, and a sleek flat-edge design reminiscent of older iPhones. With the A14 Bionic chip feature, this became a faster and more power-efficient iPhone, along with ever-improving camera capabilities, making it a significant upgrade for iPhone users.
Apple announced the iPhone 13 series on September 14, 2021
This series also had 4 different versions, the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, priced from $699 to $999 and $1,099. Further enhancements on the A15 Bionic chip for a better performance and battery life, further camera improvements, including Cinematic Mode, and a smaller notch on the display.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 series on September 7, 2022
The iPhone 14 series, included the standard iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max priced at $799 for the 128GB base model, the Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models went up to $899, $999, and $1099, respectively. But it doesn't end here; the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models featured 1 terabyte storage options starting at $1499 and $1599, respectively, the A16 Bionic Hexacore chip, enhancing their performance even further. The A15 Bionic chip and boasted improved displays and faster RAM for enhanced performance of the standard models.
Apple introduced the iPhone 15 series on September 12, 2023
Similarly to the iPhone 14 series, prices start at $799 for the 128GB base model, with the Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models starting at $899, $999, and $1199, respectively. The iPhone 15 Series brought revolutionary changes to the iPhone models with features like the USB-C charging, camera quality improvements, and notably discontinued the iPhone Pro Max models with 128GB storage. The iPhone 15 base and iPhone 15 Plus models run on the A16 Binoic Hexacore chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pro models run on Apple's latest chip innovation, the A17 Pro.
And now Apple is set to release the iPhone 16 along with possibly new Apple Watches and AirPods on September 9, 2024
Are we expecting a new Siri UI? The anticipation runs high for the iPhone 16 series! It's just a few days away! Add the event here.
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