Timeline of Apple iPhone’s evolution in 14 years

 Every year Apple enthusiasts await the launch of new series of its products. The company founded by Steve Jobs on April 1, 1976 and now headed by Tim Cook has never failed to meet anticipations and expectations. The leading company in smartphone and personal computer industry is also world’s largest tech company by revenues. In 2007, Steve Jobs came onto the Macworld Expo stage in San Francisco, and said with a friendly smile, “Thank you for coming. We’re going to make some history together today.” That cold morning day marked the launch of first iPhone. Last 14 years have seen the company launch 13 series of iPhone.

This year Apple Inc celebrated launch of iPhone series 13 along with other products, including iPad and iWatch, through virtual live streaming from its headquarters in Cupertino, California on Tuesday.

Let’s have a look at very promising and ever evolving iPhone launches since 2007.

2007 – Launch of Apple iPhone 2G

The first iPhone was launched in 2007 from San Francisco with a promise of revolutionizing the concept of smartphones. The phone came with a plastic keyboard and bragged a 2MP back camera, 3.5-inch diagonal multi-touch screen of high resolution with 165 pixels per inch. The processor was APL0098 chipset with Operating System iOS1 with upgradation to iOS3. Price of 4GB model was USD 499 and for 8GB version it was USD 599.

2008 – Apple iPhone 3G

“Twice as Fast at Half the Price” was the tagline for launch of 3G iPhone. Keeping the price low speed was increased with 3G – 8GB model was priced at USD 199 and 16GB at USD 299. The iOS2 phone came with chipset SFL8900 and a TFT display of 320 x 480 pixels.

2009 – Apple iPhone 3GS launched

The new model flaunted to be twice as fast as the predecessor. The third entry in iPhone lineup had added features, including longer battery life, 3 MP autofocus camera, and a brand new hands-free voice control. 100 more features were enabled through iOS3 including, MMS, landscape keyboard, and spotlight search. Price was cut down further with 8 GB model for USD 99, 16 GB for USD 199, and 32 GB for USD 299.

2010 – iPhone 4 launched

The fourth phone in lineup featured Facetime and Retina display that brought a new tangent to video calling experience with high resolution display. 5MP back camera was paired with a rear camera for the first time with 0.3 MP. With this version a glass and stainless steel body was launched for iPhone, making it the thinnest in lineup and in the entire market at that time. iOS4 enabled 16 GB model was priced at USD 199 and 32 GB at USD 299.

2011 – iPhone 4S launched

This series was launched after stepping down of Steve Jobs. The new member Apple’s dual-core A5 chip for trailblazing fast performance, 1080p full HD video recording, and the virtual assistant Siri. The experience for users was unmatched with these features along with outstanding cloud service iCloud. iOS5 phone with 200 new features was priced at USD 199 for the 16 GB model, 32GB model at USD 299, and 64 GB at USD 399.

2012 – Launch of iPhone 5

Revamped design of iPhone 5 came with 4-inch diagonal screen having 326 pixels per inch. A6 chip and iOS 6 enabled iPhone 5 was thinnest smartphone in market with a 7.6mm anodized aluminum body. Browsing was made even faster by ultrafast wireless standards, including LTE and DS-HSDPA. The 16GB model was priced at USD 199, the 32GB model at USD 299, and the 64 GB at USD 399.

2013 – iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are launched

For the first time Apple Inc had launched two iPhones of same sizes together. iPhone 5S was just a successor of iPhone 5. iPhone 5C was launched with intent to provide user with an affordable yet leading class smartphone. iPhone 5S had the Apple’s A7 64-bits chip, True Tone Flash in 8-megapixels camera, and Touch ID fingerprint scanner integrated into its Home button that allowed user to unlock phone through a simple touch. iPhone 5C had A6 chip and a 4-inches Retina display. Both models had iOS7 that introduced iTunes Radio, a free Internet radio service. iPhone 5S had 32 GB model for USD 199 and the iPhone 5C was priced at USD 99 for 16 GB.

2014 – iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launched

This time the two models unveiled together had different sizes. iPhone 6 had 4.7-inches and iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inches screen with Apple-designed second-generation 4 bits A8 chip. Updated iOS 8 introduced Health app, Family Sharing, and iCloud Drive. Apple Pay was introduced as an easy way to securely pay in stores or apps with just the touch of a finger. iPhone 6 was priced at USD 199 for the 16GB model, USD 299 for the 64GB model, and a new 128GB model for USD 399.

The iPhone 6 Plus was priced at USD 299 for the 16GB model, USD 399 for the 64GB model and USD 499 for the new 128GB model.

2015 – iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus launched

The phones had a multi-touch sensor to detect touch of different forces.  iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus also had a new camera with Live Photos option. A9 chip made these models have 80% faster CPU performance than A8. iOS 9 brought improved artificial intelligence like powerful search and enhanced Siri features. With these models users had option to purchase them with 24 monthly payment options starting at USD 27 from Apple’s retail stores in the US, Apple.com, select carriers, and Apple Authorized Resellers.

2016 – iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launched

The two phones are built on the new custom-designed Apple A10 Fusion chip. New iOS 10 brought a huge update to messages. iPhone 7 Plus model came with dual camera and optical zoom. The 12-megapixel camera had larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and 6-element lens for brighter and more detailed photos and videos. The new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus was priced starting at USD 649 and USD 769.

2017 – iPhone 8 and iPhone 8Plus

The latest additions in iPhone lineup used Apple’s A11 Bionic Chip that supported Augmented Reality on mobile. iPhone 8 Plus had dual 12-megapixel cameras, with Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting adding dramatic effects to the experience. The glass back design enabled wireless charging in both models. iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were priced starting at USD 699 for 64GB and 256GB models.

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2017 November – iPhone X was launched

The 5.85 inch OLED color accurate screen of iPhone X had a super retina display that was found in iPad Pro. The phone was developed with Apple’s A11 Bionic chip. Facial recognition sensor was introduced for added safety.

2018 – iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max

The 5.8-inch iPhone XS and 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max used the A12 Bionic processor which were 15% faster than the previous A11 Bionic used in iPhone X. Both phones came with water resistance and came in three models – 64GB, 256GB and 512GB, starting at USD 999 and USD 1,099.

2019 – iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max launched

iPhone 11 Pro has a 5.8-inches Super Retina XDR display with three 12 MP HDR camera lenses that provide wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. A13 Bionic chip offers unparalleled speed while ensuring battery life all day. The only difference between iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max is their size – iPhone 11 Pro Max has a display size of 6.2 inches, while the iPhone 11 Pro has a 5.8-inch diagonal screen size. The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max prices starting from USD 999 and USD 1,099 respectively. Available models are 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.

2020 – iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

In these latest models, the A14 Bionic is the first chip built on a 5-nanometer process, faster and more efficient. iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max come in four stainless steel finishes, including graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue. The iPhone 12 Pro has a display of 1170 x 2532 pixels, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max displays 1284 x 2778 pixel resolution with iOS 14.1. Unlike iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, it has an additional telephoto camera lens in it.

2021 September 15 – iPhone 13 series launched

iPhone 13 series have A15 Bionic chipset, which is a six-core chipset. The iPhone 13 Pro series comes with a 120 Hz dynamic refresh rate or ‘ProMotion’ adaptive refresh rate along with many camera upgrades.

In India, iPhone 13 Pro will start at INR 1,19,900 and iPhone 13 Pro Max for INR 1,29,900. iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are priced at INR 79,900 and INR 69,900 respectively. Pre-order is open for series 13 from September 17, 2021 in India. Retail sales and delivery will begin starting September 24,2021.