iPhone Timeline: iOS & iPhone Evolution 2007-2024

It’s difficult to believe that the original iPhone could only hold a measly 16 GB of data. Oh, how far we’ve come. There weren’t as many apps, add-ons, and gadgets as we have today—there wasn’t even an App Store yet. It was the beginning of something magnificent: a hand-held product that could browse the internet and a screen you could actually see. It had only 128 MG of memory and a low-res 2.0-megapixel camera—archaic compared to today’s tech. Back then, though, a phone with a camera was a modern marvel in its own right.

When it comes to internal specs, the iPhone 3G wasn’t doing much to distance itself from the original iPhone. There was still progress—the App Store. The incarnation of the iPhone got its moniker to showcase its 3G connectivity, which was a leap from older models. 3G meant that users could quickly access to the internet without losing their minds.

The Apple iPhone 3GS gave users a newly minted 32 GB storage system. It’s amazing how quickly the App Store changed the game, from taking photos and listening to music to messing around with apps, smaller storage systems weren’t going to be enough to handle the volume. Strikingly, the camera was upgraded to a 3 MP system, which allowed revolutionary video recording. It was also when Apple introduced Voice Control, although Siri wasn’t yet on the horizon.

The iPhone 4 was the first to feature a front-facing camera. It was the true dawning of an era. Just like that, selfies took the world by storm. Groundbreaking Retina display alongside 512 MB of memory was leagues ahead of the iPhone 3GS, which only had 256 MB of memory. While the iPhone 4 was moving up in the world, the cap on storage still topped out at 32 GB.

It was a major leap. The iPhone 4S camera jumped from a respectable 5 MP on the iPhone 4 to a staggering 8 MP. It was also the introduction of a 64 GB storage option, another major contribution, but the memory held at 512 MB. Video featured 1080p, forever changing the landscape of the cellphone camera. It is also where our friend Siri arrived. Within the first week alone, Apple had sold four million units of the iPhone 4S.

If four million units sounded like a lot, Apple unloaded five million units of the iPhone 5 within a week of its release. Memory was boosted to 1 GB, but the camera remained unchanged. LTE connectivity was standard on the iPhone 5, making 3G look like child’s play. Now the internet was only a click away, no matter the location. The model also gave birth to the Lightning connector. Combined with a larger 4” screen (compared to only 3.5” on older models), the revolution was underway.

The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c sold a combined nine million units in the first week on the market. For frugal buyers, the iPhone 5c had a plastic cover that made it less expensive. The greatest selling point for this model was the four different colors. As for the iPhone 5s, it rolled out features like dual flash, Touch ID, and slow-motion video, alongside an M7 motion coprocessor, which boosted the phone’s battery life significantly.

The changes and advancements from the S editions to newer models aren’t as significant as earlier iPhone improvements. Internally, the iPhone 6 is similar to the iPhone 5s, but the main improvement is the addition of the larger screen. If that wasn’t enough, the iPhone 6 Plus offered an even larger screen. The Retina display was eradicated and, instead, Apple rolled out to the HD features and a new 128 GB storage plan. The memory stayed the same, and the megapixel-level on the camera didn’t increase. Not to be deterred, customers gobbled up 10 million units within the first week of sales.

Comparatively, the 6s was a massive leap for apple. The camera jumped from 8 MP to a whopping 12 MP, and the memory skyrocketed from 1 GB to 2 GB. After a viral sensation that accused the phones of being too “bendable,” Apple installed 7000 series aluminum into the 6s to back it up. These models also gave way to the 3D Touch features.

The era of the long-forgotten iPhone SE passed quickly. It contained all the perks of the iPhone 6s, but it was smaller and lacked the 3D Touch option. The model was mainly introduced as an affordable alternative.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models showed the world the magic of wireless charging. The camera now featured improved editing capability and filtering of pictures. Display features were revolutionized with the automatic reduction of blue-light exposure, sharpening images. The wireless lifestyle was becoming more popular as users adapted.

Introducing the iPhone X, the next generation of smartphones. The world would never be the same. The model featured another front-facing camera showcasing the power of Portrait Mode, from breathtaking selfies and awkward family photos to truly capturing your dog’s good side in a Halloween costume—pictures changed forever.

Ignoring the iPhone 9, the XS and XS Max were the primary upgrades from previous models. It was similar to the iPhone X in its front-facing camera, allowing better selfies and memories for a lifetime. The Super Retina HD display was fantastic quality. Yet, the largest leap may have been its A12 bionic chip, boosting the processing power and keeping your battery life intact.

At the same September 2018 event that saw the XS & XS Max release, the iPhone XR was ushered in as the more affordable option. It wasn’t immediately available, so many users chose to wait for it. The XR was smaller than its counterparts, and the display wasn’t as clear, but it wasn’t a significant change. The Liquid Retina HD feature helped bridge the gap and it has a front-facing camera and more color variations than the XS or XS Max.

iPhone 11, September 20, 2019: The iPhone 11 has been showcased as the most affordable of Apple’s annual rollout, but it still had enough perks to be one of the year’s most popular models. It boasts a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display with six variations of eye-catching colors. The biggest hit comes in the form of the second camera on the back of the model. You’re not losing any quality either, as both cameras have 12 MP and multiple wide and ultra-wide lenses at your disposal.

iPhone 11 Pro, September 20, 2019: Some dedicated Apple users aren’t fans of the larger screens. If that’s the case, the iPhone 11 Pro is a breath of fresh air. The 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR display is a revolutionary, crystal clear offering to handle all your photography needs. In an insane upgrade, featuring three 12 MP HDR camera lenses, effortlessly gifting the user with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. The color options aren’t as striking as the traditional iPhone 11, but there are plenty of decent phone cases out there waiting to spruce up the exterior.

iPhone 11 Pro Max, September 20, 2019: The largest – and priciest – model of 2019 is the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The Super Retina XDR display is stunning, gelling with its ample 6.5” size. It also includes the same three-lens camera setup featured in the iPhone 11 Pro, providing a gateway into a striking new world of photography. You can expect the same color schemes between the two models, but the main difference is the size of the screen, which might be the kicker for some die-hard Apple fans.