(Part 2) Waiting for the iPhone 16: A Complete History of iPhone Releases Over the Years

2018: iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max / iPhone XR

Release date: September 21, 2018 (XS / XS Max), October 26, 2018 (XR)
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max:

• Introducing the Super Retina display for exceptional image quality.
• IP68 certification for increased water and dust resistance.
• Availability of the Max version with a 6.5-inch screen, the largest ever seen on an iPhone.
• The iPhone XS and XS Max were designed for users looking for superior display and performance. The Super Retina display delivered exceptional image quality, while the IP68 certification improved water and dust resistance. The iPhone XS Max, with its giant 6.5-inch display, met the needs of users who wanted a large screen for a better multimedia experience.

iPhone XR:

• More affordable design with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display.
• Wide choice of colors and performance close to that of the iPhone XS thanks to the A12 Bionic chip.
• The iPhone XR was designed as a more affordable alternative to the XS models while offering similar performance thanks to the A12 Bionic chip. Its Liquid Retina LCD display, although less powerful than OLED, was able to seduce with its quality, and the wide choice of colors helped to appeal to a wider audience.

2019: iPhone 11 / iPhone 11 Pro / iPhone 11 Pro Max

Release date: September 20, 2019
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone 11:

• Dual camera system with ultra wide angle, allowing wider and more dynamic photos.
• New A13 Bionic chip, delivering improved performance and better power efficiency.
• Colorful and robust design, with a battery offering extended autonomy.
• The iPhone 11, the successor to the iPhone XR, introduced a dual-camera system, adding an ultra-wide-angle feature to capture wider scenes. The A13 Bionic chip enabled fast performance while improving power efficiency, extending battery life. Its colorful and sturdy design continued to appeal to a wide audience.

iPhone 11 Pro / iPhone 11 Pro Max:

• Triple camera system, with an ultra wide-angle, a wide-angle and a telephoto lens.
• First use of the "Pro" suffix to indicate advanced camera capabilities and performance.
• Improved battery life, especially on the Max model.
• The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max were the first to introduce a triple camera system, offering professional photography and videography capabilities with a full range of focal lengths. The “Pro” suffix was used to highlight the advanced capabilities, both in terms of camera and performance. The significant improvement in battery life was also a determining factor for professional users.

2020: iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 mini / iPhone 12 Pro / iPhone 12 Pro Max

Release date: October 23, 2020 (iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 Pro), November 13, 2020 (iPhone 12 mini / iPhone 12 Pro Max)
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone 12 / iPhone 12 mini:

• Introducing the angular design, reminiscent of the iPhone 4 and 5, with a glass back and aluminum frame.
• Super Retina XDR display, bringing exceptional image quality to a wider range of users.
• 5G support, enabling much faster download speeds.
• iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini marked the return of the angular design, with a Super Retina XDR display delivering exceptional picture quality and 5G support for faster download speeds. iPhone 12 mini, with its 5.4-inch display, was designed for those who prefer a more compact device without sacrificing performance.

iPhone 12 Pro / iPhone 12 Pro Max:

• Added LiDAR scanner, improving augmented reality (AR) and low-light focusing.
• Advanced camera system with low-light photography and Dolby Vision HDR video recording.
• Max model featuring an improved telephoto lens for superior zoom performance.
• The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max introduced major innovations, including the LiDAR Scanner that improved augmented reality capabilities and low-light focusing. The camera system enabled superior low-light performance and Dolby Vision HDR video recording, meeting the needs of professional photographers and videographers.

2021: iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 mini / iPhone 13 Pro / iPhone 13 Pro Max

Release date: September 24, 2021
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 mini:

• Introducing the A15 Bionic chip, delivering increased performance and power efficiency.
• Improved battery life, especially for the mini model.
• New diagonal camera design for a more compact layout.
• The iPhone 13 and 13 mini brought improvements in performance and battery life thanks to the A15 Bionic chip. The new diagonal camera design allowed for a more compact layout, while the improvement in battery life was particularly noticeable on the iPhone 13 mini, making it more appealing to those who prefer compact phones.

iPhone 13 Pro / iPhone 13 Pro Max:

• Introducing ProMotion display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
• Improved camera system with exceptional performance in macro and low light photography.
• ProRes video format support for video professionals.
• The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max marked significant improvements in display technology and camera system. The ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate made the user experience smoother, while macro and low-light photography capabilities were greatly improved. Support for the ProRes video format gave professional videographers powerful tools right on their phone.

2022: iPhone 14 / iPhone 14 Plus / iPhone 14 Pro / iPhone 14 Pro Max

Release date: September 16, 2022 (iPhone 14 / iPhone 14 Pro), October 7, 2022 (iPhone 14 Plus)
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone 14 / iPhone 14 Plus:

• Added Plus model, offering a larger screen option.
• Using the A15 Bionic chip for fast and efficient performance.
• Improvements to the camera system, especially for low light performance.

iPhone 14 Pro / iPhone 14 Pro Max:

• Introduction of Always-On Display and Dynamic Island functionality.
• Improved camera with a 48MP main sensor.
• Using the A16 Bionic chip for even faster performance.

2023: iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus / iPhone 15 Pro / iPhone 15 Pro Max

Release date: September 22, 2023 (iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Pro), October 6, 2023 (iPhone 15 Plus / iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Presenter: Tim Cook
Key facts:

iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus:

• Switched from Lightning connector to USB-C for better compatibility.
• New colors and lighter design.
• Improved camera performance, especially in low light.

iPhone 15 Pro / iPhone 15 Pro Max:

• Introduction of a titanium frame for a stronger and lighter construction.
• New A17 Pro chip for faster processing performance.
• Improved periscope zoom on the Pro Max model.

Conclusion

Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, Apple has continually innovated to meet the expectations of its users, while introducing revolutionary technologies that have redefined what is expected of a smartphone. Each new generation of iPhone brings significant improvements, whether it is in performance, design, or the overall user experience. Looking to the future, the iPhone continues to position itself as an industry leader, integrating the latest technological advancements to deliver a product that never ceases to surprise and evolve.