(Part 1) Waiting for the iPhone 16: A Complete History of iPhone Releases Over the Years

The iPhone, the benchmark in the smartphone industry, has marked each stage of its evolution with technological advancements and an unmatched user experience. From the launch of the very first iPhone to the arrival of the iPhone 15 series, each generation has redefined the industry standards. Let's explore the history of the iPhone and the significant innovations of each model.

2007: iPhone 2G (Original iPhone)

Release date: June 29, 2007
Presenter: Steve Jobs
Key facts:

• Billed as a combination of a phone, iPod and Internet communicator.
• Equipped with a 3.5-inch screen and a 2 MP camera.
• Worked with the iOS operating system (then called iPhone OS).
• The first iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry by integrating multiple features into a single device. Its sleek design and user-friendly interface were ahead of their time, laying the foundation for the modern smartphone. At the launch, Steve Jobs made a prank call to Starbucks, ordering 4,000 lattes to demonstrate the iPhone's features. The event also marked the introduction of Apple TV.

2008: iPhone 3G

Release date: July 11, 2008
Presenter: Steve Jobs
Key facts:

• Introduction of 3G connectivity and App Store.
• Improved GPS capabilities.
• Available in black and white.
• The iPhone 3G brought faster Internet speeds and expanded the iPhone's capabilities with the App Store, allowing third-party developers to create applications that greatly expanded the device's functionality. The App Store launched and had 10 million downloads in its first weekend. Apple also introduced MobileMe, a precursor to iCloud, at the event.

2009: iPhone 3GS

Release date: June 19, 2009
Presenter: Phil Schiller
Key facts:

• The “S” stands for “Speed” with performance twice as fast as the iPhone 3G.
• Introduced video capture and a 3MP camera with autofocus.
• Availability of storage capacity up to 32 GB.
• The iPhone 3GS offered a significant performance improvement over its predecessors, as well as new features such as video capture, a better camera, and more storage, making it a popular choice for users looking for increased performance.

2010: iPhone 4

Release date: June 24, 2010
Presenter: Steve Jobs
Key facts:

• Introducing the glass and stainless steel design, and the Retina display.
• Added front camera for FaceTime calls.
• Powered by Apple's A4 processor.
• The iPhone 4 marked a significant redesign with its glass and stainless steel design, and its Retina display offering unmatched resolution at the time. It was the first iPhone to include a front-facing camera, thus introducing FaceTime video calling, and Apple's A4 processor which offered better power management and increased performance.

2011: iPhone 4S

Release date: October 14, 2011
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

• Introducing Siri, the intelligent voice assistant.
• 8MP rear camera with 1080p video recording.
• First appearance of the dual-core A5 processor.
• The iPhone 4S brought the Siri voice assistant, marking a major advancement in human-machine interaction. Its 8MP rear camera and dual-core A5 processor improved the camera quality and overall performance of the device, making it an attractive choice for users who wanted a powerful camera in their phone.

2012: iPhone 5

Release date: September 21, 2012
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

• Move to a 4-inch screen, larger than previous versions.
• Introduction of the Lightning connector, replacing the older 30-pin connector.
• Added 4G LTE connectivity.
• The iPhone 5 represented a quantum leap forward with a larger screen, a new, more compact and reversible Lightning connector, and support for 4G LTE for faster download speeds. Its thinner and lighter design was also a key factor in its success.

2013: iPhone 5s / iPhone 5c

Release date: September 20, 2013
Presenter: Phil Schiller
Key facts:

iPhone 5s:

• Introduction of Touch ID, the fingerprint reader.
• First iPhone with a 64-bit processor, the A7.
• Improved camera with wider aperture and True Tone flash.
• The iPhone 5s brought major innovations, including the 64-bit A7 processor that revolutionized smartphone performance. Touch ID introduced a new dimension of security and convenience, while the improved camera with True Tone flash enabled better low-light performance.

iPhone 5c:

• Available in five vibrant colours and made from polycarbonate plastic.
• Similar hardware to the iPhone 5, but with a more affordable design.
• The iPhone 5c offered a more colorful and affordable alternative to the iPhone 5s, targeting a younger audience with its plastic design and bright color options. Although it shared the iPhone 5's specifications, its lower price and distinctive aesthetic made it a popular model.

2014: iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus

Release date: September 19, 2014
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

• Introduction of two screen sizes: 4.7 inches for the iPhone 6 and 5.5 inches for the iPhone 6 Plus.
• Slimmer design and rounded edges.
• Introduction of Apple Pay, Apple's mobile payment system.
• The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus marked a new era for Apple with larger screens, thinner designs, and the introduction of Apple Pay, offering a new way to make mobile payments. The iPhone 6 Plus, in particular, appealed to those looking for an alternative to phablets.

2015: iPhone 6s / iPhone 6s Plus

Release date: September 25, 2015
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

• Introducing 3D Touch, a new pressure-sensitive screen technology.
• 12MP rear camera and 4K video recording capability.
• New Rose Gold color added to the range.
• The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus introduced 3D Touch, adding a new dimension to screen interaction. The 12MP camera upgrade and the ability to record 4K video were significant improvements, while the addition of the Rose Gold colorway appealed to many users.

2016: iPhone 7 / iPhone 7 Plus

Release date: September 16, 2016
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

• Removal of the jack socket, replaced by audio output via the Lightning port.
• Introducing the dual-camera system on the iPhone 7 Plus, with 2x optical zoom.
• Water and dust resistance with IP67 certification.
• The iPhone 7 series marked a break with the past by removing the traditional headphone jack in favor of the Lightning port, a decision that sparked debate. The iPhone 7 Plus introduced the dual-camera system, offering zoom and Improved portrait mode photography. Water and dust resistance has been a major advancement, allowing safe use in various environments.

2017: iPhone 8 / iPhone 8 Plus / iPhone

Release date: September 22, 2017 (iPhone 8 / 8 Plus), November 3, 2017 (iPhone X)
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone 8 / iPhone 8 Plus:

• Return to a glass back to support wireless charging.
• Introducing the A11 Bionic chip, delivering improved performance.
• Improved stereo speakers for more powerful sound.
• The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus introduced wireless charging thanks to their glass backs, a first for Apple. The A11 Bionic chip significantly improved performance, while improved stereo speakers delivered better audio quality. These models marked the last series with the classic design before the big change of the iPhone X.

iPhone X:

• Revolution with an edge-to-edge OLED screen and the removal of the Home button.
• Introducing Face ID, a new facial recognition unlocking method.
• TrueDepth front camera, enabling Animoji.
• iPhone X marked the 10th anniversary of iPhone with a completely redesigned design, featuring an edge-to-edge OLED display, the removal of the Home button, and the introduction of Face ID, replacing Touch ID for facial recognition. It ushered in a new era for iPhone, incorporating cutting-edge technologies into a sleek, modern design.