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The Story of the iPhone: Timeline of Every iPhone Launch

11-Jun-2024
The Story of the iPhone: Timeline of Every iPhone Launch

Explore the history of the iPhone, from its groundbreaking introduction in 2007 to the latest models. Learn about each iPhone launch and its impact on technology and society.

Introduction

The iPhone, developed by Apple Inc., revolutionized the smartphone industry and transformed the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. This guide provides a detailed look at the history of the iPhone and a timeline of every major iPhone launch.

iPhone 1st Generation (2007)

Released on June 29, 2007, the original iPhone featured a 3.5-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera, and ran on the iOS operating system. It lacked third-party apps but introduced the world to a new era of touch-based smartphones.

iPhone 3G (2008)

Launched on July 11, 2008, the iPhone 3G brought 3G connectivity and the App Store, allowing users to download third-party apps. It also featured improved GPS capabilities.

iPhone 3GS (2009)

The iPhone 3GS, released on June 19, 2009, focused on performance improvements with a faster processor, better camera, and voice control capabilities.

iPhone 4 (2010)

Released on June 24, 2010, the iPhone 4 introduced the Retina display, a front-facing camera for FaceTime, and a new design with a stainless steel frame and glass back.

iPhone 4S (2011)

Launched on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S introduced Siri, Apple's voice-activated assistant. It also featured an 8-megapixel camera and improved hardware.

iPhone 5 (2012)

The iPhone 5, released on September 21, 2012, featured a larger 4-inch display, a thinner and lighter design, and the new Lightning connector.

iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c (2013)

Released on September 20, 2013, the iPhone 5s introduced Touch ID fingerprint sensor and a 64-bit A7 processor. The iPhone 5c, also launched on the same day, offered a more affordable option with colorful plastic cases.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (2014)

Launched on September 19, 2014, these models featured larger screens (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch, respectively), NFC for Apple Pay, and an improved camera system.

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus (2015)

Released on September 25, 2015, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus introduced 3D Touch, a pressure-sensitive screen technology, along with a 12-megapixel camera and 4K video recording capabilities.

iPhone SE (2016)

The iPhone SE, launched on March 31, 2016, combined the compact design of the iPhone 5s with the powerful hardware of the iPhone 6s, appealing to users who preferred smaller phones.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (2016)

Released on September 16, 2016, these models featured water resistance, improved cameras, and the removal of the headphone jack. The iPhone 7 Plus introduced a dual-camera system.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (2017)

Launched on September 22, 2017, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus featured wireless charging, a glass back, and an improved display with True Tone technology.

iPhone X (2017)

Released on November 3, 2017, the iPhone X marked the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. It introduced a new design with an edge-to-edge OLED display, Face ID facial recognition, and the removal of the home button.

iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR (2018)

Launched on September 21, 2018, the iPhone XS and XS Max featured improvements in performance, display, and camera technology. The iPhone XR, released on October 26, 2018, offered a more affordable option with an LCD display and multiple color choices.

iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019)

Released on September 20, 2019, the iPhone 11 introduced a dual-camera system and improved battery life. The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max featured a triple-camera system and enhanced display technology.

iPhone SE (2nd Generation, 2020)

The second-generation iPhone SE, launched on April 24, 2020, combined the design of the iPhone 8 with the powerful A13 Bionic chip, offering a budget-friendly option with high performance.

iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020)

Released on October 23, 2020 (iPhone 12 and 12 Pro) and November 13, 2020 (iPhone 12 mini and 12 Pro Max), these models introduced 5G connectivity, a new design with flat edges, and improved camera capabilities.

iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021)

Launched on September 24, 2021, the iPhone 13 series offered enhanced battery life, advanced camera features like Cinematic Mode, and a smaller notch on the display.

iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max (2022)

Released on September 16, 2022 (iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max) and October 7, 2022 (iPhone 14 Plus), these models introduced features like Emergency SOS via satellite, crash detection, and the new A16 Bionic chip in the Pro models.

iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023)

Released on September 22nd, 2023 (iPhone 15, 15Pro, and 15 Pro Max).Compared to iPhone 14, it boasts an improved camera system (including a 48-megapixel main sensor), the A16 Bionic chip, and the continued presence of the Dynamic Island.

Major changes: You can use the same USB-C cable to charge your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and potentially even other devices like AirPods with a USB-C case.

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