The evolution of Apple's iPhone

How Many Versions of the iPhone Are There? As of the beginning of 2021, there have been a total of 12 series of the iPhone, and most releases included multiple models. In total, there have been 29 different iPhone models so far.

iPhone

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007. The device started at $499 for a 4GB model, $599 for the 8GB version. It offered a 3.5-in. screen, a 2-megapixel camera and won plaudits for the then-new multitouch features. It would now definitely surprise that Apple’s first iPhone had not the video support in its 2MP back camera.  iPhone includes support for quad-band GSM, proximity sensor, and the iPhone’s operating system was decided to be iOS that would sync up with the plus mails, notes, iTunes, and bookmarks.

iPhone 3G

Apple rolled out its successor, the iPhone 3G. The new model could connect to faster 3G-based networks, included built-in GPS, offered more storage and was cheaper. Selling for $199 for the 8GB model, $299 for the 16GB version, the iPhone 3G was available. The iPhone 3G came up with a chipset SFL8900 and a TFT display of 320 x 480 pixels. Unlike the first iPhone, this software enabled the phone to run hundreds of third-party applications. The phone was introduced with more storage at considerably less price.

iPhone 3Gs

After the iPhone 3G, Apple launched the iPhone 3GS, which was 2x faster than its predecessor. Although the form factor was unchanged from the previous version, the new iPhone was twice as fast as its predecessor and ran iPhone 3.0. The new features were added to it including, longer battery life, 3 MP autofocus camera, and hands-free voice control.  Apple also included the iPhone iOS 3.0, which enabled 100 more features in iPhone 3GS. These features include cut, copy, MMS, landscape keyboard, and spotlight search. After iPhone 3GS, users had access to Apple’s App Store to download useful apps. The phone used the processor of chipset APL0298C05, with a TFT display of 320 x 480 pixels TFT, OS iOS 3.

iPhone 4

On 7th June 2010, Apple launched its fourth phone, iPhone 4. The then latest phone featured FaceTime and Retina display that enabled video call and high-resolution display. The iPhone also had a 5 MP camera outnumbering its predecessors, and for the first time, the iPhone brought a front camera with 0.3 Mega Pixels. the iPhone also brought a glass and stainless steel thinnest body, making it the thinnest mobile at that time. $199 for a 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB version.

iPhone 4s

 It was launched on 4th October 2011. The iPhone 4 featured Apple’s dual-core A5 chip for trailblazing fast performance, 1080p full HD video recording, and the virtual assistant Siri. iPhone 4 came with iOS 5 that included 200 new features, including the remarkable cloud service, i.e., iCloud. The 16GB model’s price was decided as $199, the 32GB model at $299, and 64 GB at $399.

iPhone 5

This time Apple worked on revamping its iPhone’s design and brought iPhone 5 with the 4-inch diagonal screen having 326 pixels per inch on 12th September 2012. iPhone 5 came with an A6 chip and iOS 6. iPhone 5 was the thinnest smartphone with a 7.6mm anodized aluminum body.  It supported ultrafast wireless standards, including LTE and DS-HSDPA, which enabled faster browsing in iPhone 5. The camera was upgraded to 8 megapixels covered with a sapphire crystal lens. The 16GB model’s price was decided at $199, the 32GB model at $299, and 64 GB at $399.

iPhone 5s and 5c

the upscale iPhone 5S and the colorful, less-expensive iPhone 5C. (The iPhone 5C was basically a reskinned iPhone 5.) The iPhone 5S got a faster, 64-bit A7 SoC (system on a chip), Touch ID, and a new motion data processor touted as the foundation for a new wave of health and fitness apps. The iPhone 5C started at $99 for a $16GB model; the iPhone 5S started at $199 for the same amount of storage.iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C both developed on iOS 7,  which had plenty of new features. The user interface was changed, the color palettes were updated. iOS 7 also introduced iTunes Radio, a free Internet radio service. 

iPhone 6 and 6 plus

In the next year of 2014, Apple again unveiled two iPhones, but this time the phones had different sizes. iPhones had 4.7-inches, and iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inches screen. These phones were using the Apple-designed second-generation 4 bits A8 chip. In following the tradition, Apple also made updates in its phone iOS and introduced the Health app, Family Sharing, and iCloud Drive in iOS 8. iPhone 6 was priced at $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 64GB model, and for the first time, a new 128GB model for $399. The iPhone 6 Plus was made available in the US for a retail price of $299 for the 16GB model, $399 for the 64GB model, and $499 for the new 128GB model.

iPhone 6s and 6s plus

On September 9, 2015, Apple revealed iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. The phones have a multi-touch sensor that detects the touch of different forces and executes the process. iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also had a transformative new camera.  These phones feature an A9 chip, which had 80 percent faster CPU performance than A8. This time Apple came with iOS 9 that improved artificial intelligence in phones like proactive assistance, powerful search, and enhanced Siri features. iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus were made available in gold, silver, space gray.

iPhone 7 and 7 plus

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus look much like the 2015 models with three major exceptions: Apple eliminated the audio jack, changed the home button into a haptic-based virtual button and added a dual-camera setup in the 7S. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus came with the new iOS 10. iOS 10 brought a huge update to messages that ensured animated ways to message your contacts. iPhone 7 Plus also gets a dual camera and optical zoom. The 12-megapixel camera was also equipped with optical image stabilization on both phones. A larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and 6-element lens enable brighter and more detailed photos and videos. Apple had priced the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, starting at $649 and $769.

iPhone 8 and 8 plus

Apple introduced the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus with a new glass and aluminium enclosure, Retina HD display, A11 Bionic Chip, and wireless charging on Sept. 12, 2017. The front and back glass enclosure, which Apple claims is the most durable glass ever in a smartphone, is reminiscent of the design of the iPhone 4 and 4s. True Tone technology adjusts the white balance of the display to match the surrounding light. Redesigned stereo speakers are 25% louder and deliver deeper bass. Each model features an improved 12-megapixel camera with a larger (and faster) sensor, a new color filter, deeper pixels and capabilities for 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p slo-mo up to 240fps. ARKit in iOS 11 allows developers to create AR games and apps offering immersive and fluid experiences. Color variations include space gray, silver, and a new version of gold. These phones came along with the iOS 11. The iOS 11 was mainly dedicated to bringing augmented reality to iPhones.

iPhone X

Apple launched its first phone with an OLED screen, i.e., iPhone X. The home button was gone, and the beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display2 panel offered stunning colors, a million-to-one contrast ratio, and system-wide color management in a smartphone. The HDR display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, which can make your photo and video shooting a mesmerizing experience in an 1125 x 2436 pixels display. Built on an A11 Bionic chip that was 70 percent faster than the A10 Fusion. iPhone X was available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models starting at $999.

iPhone XR

The Xr has an aluminum-and-glass design in six finishes, with improved water resistance and a 6.1-in. “Liquid Retina” display. It’s available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models, starting at $749, and features Apple's A12 Bionic Chip with second-generation Neural Engine – the first 7-nanometer chip in a smartphone. Portrait mode with depth control is available on the TrueDepth camera for selfies, which includes support for Memoji and face tracking for Face ID authentication, while the 12-megapixel camera with an f/1.8-aperture wide-angle lens has a new sensor and improved software algorithms for faster focusing and enhanced portraiture with depth control. Established iPhone gestures are supported, and haptic touch controls can be used to instantly launch the camera or flashlight from the home screen.

iPhone Xs and Xs Max

Featuring 5.8- and 6.5-in. all-screen designs and improved scratch- and water-resistance, Apple's iPhone Xs and Xs Max both offer Super Retina OLED displays that support Dolby Vision and HDR10 and have iOS system-wide color management; the Xs Max has the largest iPhone display to date, with more than 3 million pixels, and the biggest battery – promising up to an hour and a half more battery life than the iPhone X. The 12-megapixel dual-camera system offers advanced depth segmentation in Portrait mode with the ability to adjust depth of field both in preview and post-capture for precise control in portrait creation; the new system allows for faster face tracking for Face ID, Memoji and third-party ARKit apps. Low-light performance and image stabilization has been enhanced for both still photography and video capture, in addition to an extended dynamic range for better highlight and shadow detail, and four built-in mics can record stereo sound. These models are the first to include Apple's A12 Bionic Chip with second-generation Neural Engine. iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were available in three models, i.e., 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, with the price starting at $999 and $1,099.

iPhone 11

In 2019, Apple revealed its iPhone 11 that came in 6 different colors. According to Apple, the A13 Bionic and iOS 13 together make up the best machine learning platform in iPhone 11. It has built-in resistance against the water with the rating of IP68 to the depth of two meters and up to 30 minutes. The iPhone 11 uses iOS 13 that imparts a new look with Dark mode and an all-new maps experience. iPhone 11 was available in three models of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, starting at $699.

iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max

 The new phones come in four colors, including a new one (Midnight Green), feature a wholly new three-camera system, and a variety of under-the-hood technology upgrades. The screen is either a 5.8-in. or 6.5-in. Super Retina XDR display, storage comes in 64GB, 128GB or 256GB options and the phone uses Apple's new A13 "Bionic" processor. The camera system features a new ultra-wide camera that captures more than four times the scenery and 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. It also features audio zoom, so if you zoom in on video, the audio does too. The front-facing camera is now a 12-megapixel model that allows for slow-motion selfies, which Apple dubbed "slofies." The camera system now offers a new "night mode" for better images in low-light conditions. 

iPhone 12 and 12 mini

Apple introduced iPhone 12 models with the trailblazing speed of 5G in iOS 14.1. The users were held long awaited for this ultra speed technology. The Apple-designed A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, along with an advanced dual-camera system, computational photography features, and the highest quality video in their smartphone. The iPhone 12 displays 1170 x 2532 pixels, whereas iPhone 12 mini comes up with 1080 x 2340 pixels. These models also introduce MagSafe, which offers high-powered wireless charging via a magnet and a complete ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to the back of the iPhone. iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in capacity models of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB with the starting price of $799 and $699, respectively.

iPhone 12 pro and pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro models feature a new design with edge to edge Super Retina XDR displays. In these latest models, the A14 Bionic is the first chip in the smartphone industry built on a 5-nanometer process, faster and more efficient than all iPhone lineups. iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be in four stainless steel finishes, including graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue. The iPhone 12 Pro features a display of 1170 x 2532 pixels, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max displays 1284 x 2778 pixel resolution with iOS 14.1. As compared to iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, it has an additional telephoto camera lens in it, making it the best smartphone choice for budding filmmakers. iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available in three capacity models of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB with the starting price of $999 and $1,099.

Evolution of iphone