All iPhones in Order: A Full History of Releases 2007-2024

Despite its limited tech specifications by today’s standards, including a 3.5-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera, and a maximum of 16GB of storage, the iPhone dramatically shifted user expectations for mobile devices.

While maintaining the original’s 3.5-inch display, 2MP camera, and 128MB of RAM, the iPhone 3G enhanced user experience by enabling faster internet access and many applications through its new app ecosystem.

This model addressed the first iPhone’s connectivity limitations and catalyzed the “there’s an app for that” era, profoundly changing how users interacted with their devices.

Apple also introduced a more capable 3MP autofocus camera, significantly enhancing photo quality compared to its predecessors.

Additional innovations included a built-in digital compass and accessibility features like VoiceOver, which marked significant strides in making smartphones more valuable and accessible to a broader audience.

This model was also the first to feature a sleek glass and stainless steel body, a departure from the plastic backs of its predecessors. It also added a front-facing camera, revolutionizing mobile communication with the introduction of FaceTime, which allows video calls over Wi-Fi.

Despite facing criticism for its antenna design, which affected signal reception and led to the “Antennagate” controversy, the iPhone 4’s innovative features, like the improved 5MP rear camera with LED flash and its aesthetic overhaul, solidified its legacy as a pivotal model in the evolution through the iPhone generations.

Additionally, the iPhone 4S coincided with the launch of iCloud, which enhanced user experience by providing integrated cloud storage for photos, videos, and other data.

Apple also transitioned from the traditional 30-pin connector to the more compact and versatile Lightning connector, setting a new standard for device charging and data transfer for over a decade.

The iPhone 5S emerged as a technological frontrunner, introducing Touch ID, which integrated a fingerprint sensor for enhanced security and ease of access, marking a significant advancement in biometric technology on mobile devices.

It also boasted improvements in camera technology, including an 8MP sensor with True Tone flash for superior photo quality and new capabilities like burst mode and slow-motion video recording.

On the other hand, the iPhone 5C was designed to appeal to a more cost-conscious audience. It features a durable and colorful plastic body but foregoes advanced features like Touch ID.

However, the launch had controversy. To coincide with the iPhone 6 launch, Apple partnered with U2 to release “Songs of Innocence” free on iTunes to all users, sparking the largest album release ever and significant backlash from those who didn’t appreciate the unsolicited gift.

The iPhone 6 series also became the subject of “Bendgate,” a term coined by the media when users reported that the thinner, larger models could bend under pressure.

It boasted a 4-inch display, making one-handed use effortless. It included top-of-the-line features such as a 12MP camera, 4K video recording, Live Photos, and voice-activated “Hey Siri” functionality independent of charging.

While it omitted the 3D Touch feature, the iPhone SE did not compromise on speed or user experience, sporting the robust A9 processor and 2GB of RAM.

The iPhone SE represented a significant nod to practicality and comfort, combining nostalgia with contemporary technology, and was embraced as a “Special Edition” iPhone that perfectly balanced functionality and size.

The iPhone 7 line was distinguished by its enhanced durability with an IP67 water-resistance rating and the elegant introduction of a jet-black finish.

Technologically, the iPhone 7 Plus stood out with its dual-camera system, incorporating a telephoto lens that enabled the now-popular Portrait mode, allowing users to capture DSLR-quality portraits.

The iPhone 8 Plus also boasted Portrait Lighting in its camera settings, allowing users to manipulate lighting effects professionally in real time, greatly enhancing photographic outcomes.

These new features and the introduction of Apple’s A11 Bionic chip positioned the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus as powerful successors in the evolving smartphone saga, bridging the gap between traditional mobile phone functions and next-generation technology applications.

Alongside this significant shift, the iPhone X also introduced Animoji, leveraging facial recognition to create animated emojis that mirrored user expressions, adding a fun, interactive element to messaging.

The XS Max introduced a 6.5-inch display, making it the most enormous iPhone, while the iPhone XS maintained the 5.8-inch display of its predecessor.

Both models featured enhanced Face ID technology that operated faster, improved water resistance with an IP68 rating, and dual SIM capability, combining a nano-SIM and an eSIM.

Sporting a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD, the iPhone XR offered a larger screen than the XS but lacked the OLED technology of the flagship models. It featured a single rear camera compared to the dual-camera systems on the XS and XS Max and had a slightly lower water-resistance rating of IP67.

Despite these differences, the iPhone XR was available in six vibrant colors and was equipped with the same powerful A12 Bionic chipset, making it a highly attractive option for consumers seeking Apple quality at a lower price point.

This series marked the first implementation of the ultrawide lens across all three models and introduced the innovative U1 chip with ultra-wideband technology.

The Pro models showcased a triple camera system consisting of a primary, ultrawide, and telephoto lens, setting a new standard for mobile photography.

The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max also featured Super Retina XDR OLED displays for stunning visual clarity. They boasted improved battery life, making them competent successors in Apple’s evolving smartphone range.

Furthermore, the iPhone 11 series embraced the future of mobile tech with dual SIM support and gigabit LTE, accommodating faster data speeds.

Despite its classic design, the iPhone SE 2 was powered by the modern A13 Bionic chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 11 series, ensuring contemporary performance. This model also supported advanced photography capabilities and wireless charging and was water-resistant with an IP67 rating.

While it did not include some of the latest innovations like 5G or an edge-to-edge screen, the iPhone SE 2 offered a compelling combination of updated internal specs and a tried-and-true design at a more accessible price point, making it an attractive option for users seeking practicality over cutting-edge features.

i have this saved since 2021 btw pic.twitter.com/WDfHOP6exj
— Alia Jannah⸆⸉ (@TechyJannah) April 20, 2024

The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max also featured a new LiDAR scanner for better depth sensing and augmented reality experiences. At the same time, the entire series benefited from the A14 Bionic chip with its 16-core Neural Engine, ensuring top-notch efficiency and performance.

Elsewhere, the iPhone 12 mini offered the same advanced features in a compact 5.4-inch design, catering to users looking for smaller devices without compromising capability.

By removing the in-box charger, Apple also nudged consumers towards more sustainable practices. At the same time, the MagSafe technology introduced a new ecosystem of magnetic accessories, further enhancing the iPhone’s versatility and user experience.

It featured an extended battery life, with the iPhone 13 lasting about 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12, thanks to an optimized processor and better hardware-software integration. Camera technology also saw significant upgrades, with a new arrangement allowing the device to capture 47% more light and providing enhanced image stabilization.

A standout feature, the “Cinematic mode,” allowed for cinema-quality video recording, making professional-level video production accessible to more users. Additionally, introducing the A15 processor and iOS 15 ensured the iPhone 13 was the fastest model, supporting advanced applications from augmented reality to portrait-mode FaceTime calls.

Despite its dated design, the SE 3 was significantly upgraded internally, incorporating the powerful A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 series and introducing 5G connectivity, ensuring its relevance in the evolving tech landscape. These enhancements, coupled with improved battery life, offered users a more capable device in a compact form.

However, the lack of significant design changes left some users anticipating a more refreshed look, sparking discussions about the potential for an innovative iPhone SE 4.

The launch marked the end of the iPhone mini due to its underwhelming sales, replacing it with the iPhone 14 Plus, which features a larger screen size akin to the Pro Max. Both the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus continued to utilize the robust A15 Bionic chip from the previous year, but the real advancements were seen in the Pro models.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max introduced the innovative Dynamic Island, a novel approach to maximizing screen space while minimizing the intrusion of the camera notch. Apple also upgraded the camera system to 48MP, significantly enhancing photo and video capabilities.

The entire series also embraced safety innovations with new features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite, alongside the shift to exclusive eSIM usage in the U.S., setting a new standard for smartphone capabilities and connectivity.

But this series also shifted from the proprietary Lightning connector to a universal USB-C port.

The Pro models boasted a robust titanium frame and a new 5x telephoto lens on the Pro Max for superior optical zoom.

Ligtning replaced with USB – C.
RIP to Lightning#apple #iPhone15 #iPhone15Pro #AppleEvent #USBC pic.twitter.com/oifUdNkuCG

— Qwib (@qwibbern) September 12, 2023

• Pricing for the base model iPhone 16 starts at $799, with no price increase from the previous year.
• The base price of the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999.99.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max, offering the best battery life on iPhone ever, costs starts at $1,199.

The iPhone 16 has the same screen size as previous models: a 6.1-inch display. It also has 8GB of RAM (up from 6GB on the iPhone 15) and storage ranging between 128 GB and 512 GB.

The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion and Always-On technologies.

The iPhone 16’s 48MP primary camera (which can function as a 12MP, 2X digital telephoto) is joined by upgraded ultrawide cameras that add macro photography and a 12MP front camera.

The iPhone 16 Pro has a standout camera feature over the standard iPhone 16. It allows you to capture 4K video at 120FPS with Dolby Vision HDR and adjust the framerate from your typical 24FPS to slow-motion.

Apple hasn’t specified battery sizes, but the new A18 processor, increased RAM, and graphene thermal system for better cooling all add up to what Apple claims is “a big boost in battery life.”

Apple offers 22 hours of video playback from one charge, up from 20 hours on the iPhone 16.

The Action Button is available across all iPhone 16 models, providing customizable shortcuts for tasks like activating the camera or flashlight. This uniform feature aims to enhance user efficiency and ease of use.

Along with the Action button, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro come with the new touch-sensitive Camera Control, which allows you to capture photos and videos with a click of a button.

A significant highlight of the iPhone 16 series will be the integration of AI features powered by iOS 18, which was announced at WWDC 2024.

These enhancements will make the iPhone more intuitive and user-friendly, with advanced AI-driven functionalities such as improved Siri interactions and other core application upgrades.