Apple unveiled its latest iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, during a virtual presentation from its California headquarters on Tuesday.
Apple touted improved battery life on all new models, such as 212 hours more per day on an iPhone 13 versus an iPhone 12. The storage capacity of the higher-end models, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, will be increased to 1 TB.
It’s difficult to believe, but it’s been 14 years since Apple released the iPhone, drastically altering the cell phone landscape and introducing the world to touchscreen-enabled mobile phones.
Here’s is the history of the iPhone and how it has evolved since its introduction:
iPhone
Steve Jobs, co-founder, and CEO of Apple unveiled the original iPhone for the first time at the 2007 MacWorld expo. Jobs stated that the phone was inspired by computers, except that we use our fingers instead of a mouse to point and click on an application. It only included basic apps like Mail, a camera, a mobile version of the Safari browser, and a YouTube app. When they were released in the United States in June 2007, a 4 GB model cost $499 and an 8 GB model cost $599.
3G iPhone
The second-generation iPhone, released in 2008, was a significant step forward. It supported 3G wireless technology, which made it faster. It was also the first phone to include Apple’s App Store, which allowed users to download apps from Apple and third-party developers. It was $199 for the 8 GB model (back when phones were paid for with monthly bill fees rather than upfront) and $299 for the 16 GB model.
3GS iPhone
The iPhone 2009 model boasted a significant increase in battery life, a 3-megapixel autofocus camera, hands-free voice control, and simplified controls for shooting video. It also received an increase in storage capacity, with 16 GB and 32 GB models available. The corresponding iOS update included a number of notable features, including the ability to use the keyboard while holding the phone sideways (landscape mode).
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4th Generation iPhone
This is a significant release for a variety of reasons. First, Apple abandons the curved body in favor of more distinct edges, claiming at the time that it was the “thinnest smartphone ever.” In addition, there was a new Retina display for sharper images and video, as well as a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. The phone was the first to introduce iPhone users to FaceTime. It was also the first iPhone available to people who weren’t AT&T customers, as Verizon finally got their hands on the coveted smartphone.
However, several users reported issues with phone reception, which were allegedly caused by gripping the phone in a way that blocked the device’s antenna. In July 2010, Apple issued a statement claiming that the problem was caused by the iPhone not displaying the correct number of bars indicating good reception.
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iPhone 4S
In 2011, Apple released a new iPhone with an upgraded chip that made the smartphone much faster than previous models. To produce sharper images and videos, the 4S included an 8-megapixel camera with custom lenses and an advanced hybrid IR filter. You could also take pictures directly from the lock screen or with the volume button. Siri made her debut with this release.
iPhone 5
While the S models received minor upgrades, the newly numbered iPhones received more substantial updates. The body of the iPhone 5 in 2012 was 20% lighter and 18% thinner than the 4S, and it featured a 4-inch Retina display, which was larger than the 3.5-inch screen on the previous model. This was also the first smartphone to support the new Lightning charging connector.
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iPhone 5S and 5C
In 2013, Apple released two versions of the iPhone: the standard 5S upgrade and a lower-cost 5C model. The 5S came with a more powerful processing chip, an 8-megapixel iSight camera, and Touch ID, which allowed users to log in to their smartphones using their fingerprints. The 5C had the same guts as the 5, but was less expensive and came in five colours: blue, green, pink, yellow, and white.
iPhone 6
As Samsung gains popularity with its large-screen smartphones, Apple joined the fray in 2014 with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, while the iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen. Along with the usual performance and camera upgrades, the 6 models were also the first to include Apple Pay, a method of making payments with your smartphone.
The iPhone 6S
In 2015, the trend of standard and plus-sized smartphones continued, but this one was significant because it was the last flagship model to include a headphone jack. The devices also used 3D Touch, a feature that allowed users to perform different tasks based on how much force they applied to the touchscreen. Users would have different options if they pressed lightly or pressed and held.
SE model of the iPhone
In 2016, Apple released an iPhone in the spring for the first time. Customers who wanted a newer smartphone at a lower price and in a smaller size than the big-screen iPhones were drawn to the SE. It had the same processing power as the iPhone 6S and added features like a 12-megapixel iSight camera, 4K video support, Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Apple released a second-generation model with the same processing power as the iPhone 11 and a 4.7-inch display last year.
iPhone 7 Plus
The 2016 model reverts to its rounded body roots, abandoning the cleaner edges introduced with the iPhone 4. The device also had stereo speakers and was the first iPhone to be dust and water-resistant. Since the headphone jack was removed, this is also the first model that requires users to plug in wired Apple earbuds via the Lightning connector. The 7 Plus was the first phone to feature dual cameras on the back.
The iPhone 8
Apple introduced iPhones in 2017 with new glass and aluminium designs, updated cameras capable of supporting augmented reality and Portrait Mode (if you had the iPhone 8 Plus), and wireless charging support. And, of course, the usual improvements to performance, battery life, and camera quality.
The iPhone X
Who was prepared to pay $1,000 for a smartphone? The iPhone X gave us a glimpse of where the iPhone’s design and feel were headed. It was released the same year as the iPhone 8, and it featured a 5.8-inch display that covered nearly the entire front of the phone, with the exception of a notch for the front-facing camera. It also got rid of the Home button, forcing you to log in by either swiping up or using Face ID. You could also make animated emojis, which is clearly the most important feature of a $1,000 phone.
iPhone XS and XS Max
If you had an iPhone 8 or older, you were about to get a significant screen size upgrade with the iPhone XS and Max models. The XS had a 5.8-inch screen, while the Max had a 6.5-inch screen. In addition, similar to the launch of the 5S/5C, Apple introduced the XR model of iPhone, which is available in a variety of colors and at a lower price. It had the same processing power as the XS, but with a 6.1-inch display. It also had only one rear camera. This launch also signaled the end of the Home button.
The 11th generation iPhone
Apple has finally released a dual-camera smartphone as its entry-level model. It had ultra-wide and wide cameras, the 6.1-inch XR display, and was available in six different colors. If that wasn’t enough phone, you could have upgraded to the iPhone 11 Pro or Pro Max, which both had a three-camera system, better battery life, and more storage (up to 512 GB).
12th generation iPhone
When three iPhone models aren’t enough, Apple released the iPhone 12 in four variants in 2020: standard, Pro, Pro Max, and the new Mini with a 5.4-inch display. The iPhone 12 also proved that everything old is new again by returning to the device’s hard edges, which were popularized by the iPhone 4. These were also the first models to include 5G wireless support.
iPhone 13
Apple is once again taking a four-pronged iPhone approach for its newest lineup, which will be available for preorder on Friday and will be available in stores on September 24.
The iPhone 13 Mini (5.4-inch display, $699 before trade-in), iPhone 13 (6.1-inch display, $799), iPhone 13 Pro (6.1-inch display, $999), and iPhone 13 Pro Max (6.7-inch display, $1,099) retain the same display sizes as their iPhone 12 predecessors.
Improved cameras for better low-light images and a Cinematic mode for videos with automatic focus are among the highlighted new features for the devices.
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