iPhone evolution: How we got to the new iPhone 13 – The release of the new iPhone 13 model was certainly an event that many Apple fans were eagerly awaiting.
See also: Apple event on September 14: will the iPhone 13 be announced?
But what was the first iPhone ever released and when did it first become available on the market?
Below we will look at the evolution of iPhone models over the years, as well as the notable changes made with each release.
The journey of the iPhone began in 2007, more specifically on June 29, with the first iPhone model that had a total storage space of just 16 GB. It offered internet access, a 3.5-inch screen, and weighed just 135 grams. Apple's first iPhone could handle only 128 MB of memory, while it had a 2.0 megapixel camera, which was quite advanced for the time it was released.
About a year later, on July 11, 2008, Apple released the next iPhone model, known as the iPhone 3G.
In terms of internal specifications, the iPhone 3G was not much different from the original iPhone, but it did feature the App Store. This iPhone got its name because of its 3G connectivity, which meant better internet access. The iPhone 3G also had a slightly higher screen resolution.
On June 19, 2009, the third generation iPhone was released, with the 3GS, which introduced a 32 GB storage option, doubling that of the first model. Clearly, the introduction of the App Store changed things very quickly. The camera was also upgraded to 3 MP and video recording was added, with the screen size and resolution remaining the same. Apple also added Voice Control, a precursor to Siri.
Apple's next model was released on June 24, 2010, and the iPhone 4 was the first iPhone to feature a front-facing camera. Given that selfies have taken over the world, it seems Apple was looking ahead. The iPhone 4 also featured a Retina display, 512 MB of memory, and was equipped to handle a lot more than the iPhone 3GS, which had just 256 MB of memory. It also featured a 5 MP camera, capable of recording video in 720p quality.
On October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S, with one of the biggest differences from the iPhone 4 being the camera, which was upgraded from 5 MP to 8 MP and video recording was upgraded to 1080p. Apple also introduced a 64 GB storage option, but kept the memory at 512 MB. And of course the main innovation was the integration of the voice assistant Siri! Apple sold four million iPhone 4S units in its first week of release.
The iPhone 5 was released on September 21, 2012, with Apple selling 5 million iPhone 5 units in its first week of release. Memory was increased to up to 1 GB, and the model also featured LTE connectivity, which meant internet everywhere! Apple also introduced the Lightning port with the iPhone 5 and for the first time, the screen became larger, reaching 4 inches.
The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5cwere released on September 20, 2013. Between the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, Apple sold nine million units in its first week of release. The iPhone 5c was intended to be slightly more affordable and had a plastic casing, and was available in four different colors.
The iPhone 5s, on the other hand, had Touch ID, a dual-tone flash, and slow-motion video. It also included the M7 motion coprocessor, which opened up a whole new realm of possibilities and also helped save battery life.
See also: Germany: You can save your driver's license on your iPhone
Next on the list are the iPhone 6 & 6 Plus, which were released on September 19, 2014.
The internal specs of the iPhone 6 were similar to those of the iPhone 5s. The biggest difference was that it had a significantly larger screen and offered an even larger size called the 6 Plus. The Retina display became HD and the option to get an iPhone with 128GB of storage became available.
The following year, the company released the iPhone 6s & 6s Pluson September 19, 2015. The 6s models changed everything, as Apple upgraded their internals quite a bit. The camera went from 8 MP to 12 MP, the memory doubled from 1 GB to 2 GB, and they received 7000 aluminum to avoid bending problems. Last but not least, 3D Touch was introduced.
On March 31, 2016, we saw the release of the iPhone SE, which combined all the internal specs of the iPhone 6s in a smaller size and without 3D Touch. The iPhone SE was presented as a more affordable option that was really loved by users.
A few months later, on September 16, 2016, the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus. The base iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models now have 32 GB of storage and can be expanded to 256 GB. The iPhone 7 Plus proved more popular than the previous Plus models due to its new dual camera, which allowed for significantly improved zoom capabilities and Portrait mode. Perhaps the most controversial feature of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus was the one that Apple removed, namely the headphone jack.
We continue our journey into the world of iPhone, with the 8 & 8 Plus models , on September 22, 2017. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus introduced wireless charging with the glass cover on the back of the iPhone. The camera featured upgraded tools for processing and filtering images, while the new display improved the viewing experience by automatically reducing exposure to blue light.
On November 3 of the same year, we have the release of another model, the iPhone X.The iPhone X featured an OLED screen for the first time, with a size that reached 5.6 inches, offering even better resolution. The X model also offered augmented reality capabilities.
On September 21, 2018, the iPhone XS & XS Max, which were upgrades to the previous iPhone X. The screens were edge-to-edge and everything looked great with the Super Retina HD display. But the biggest upgrade was the A12 Bionic chip that increased processing power while reducing battery drain.
On October 26, 2018, another model of the X series was released, the iPhone XR, which was the cheapest of the new models and smaller in size than the XS and XS Max. It featured a Liquid Retina HD display and also had the front-facing camera and more colors than the XS or XS Max.
The following year, on September 20, 2019, Apple released the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 11 is the least expensive of Apple's 11 series, but it still packs a ton of new features. The device featured a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display and came in six vibrant colors. The most exciting addition is the second camera on the back that offers wide-angle and ultra-wide lenses.
The 11 Pro has a 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR display that was Apple's clearest yet. This phone had not two, but three, 12MP HDR lenses, offering ultra-wide and telephoto lenses.
Apple's largest and most expensive phone for 2019 was the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The second-generation iPhone SE was released on April 24, 2020. The 2020 iPhone SE is the second of its kind and was loved by those who preferred smaller iPhones. The second-generation SE offered many of the most expensive features of Apple's iPhones, such as an A13 Bionic chip, an advanced camera system with Portrait mode and Depth Control. It also offered high-definition video, wireless charging, and long battery life.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models were released on October 23, 2020, followed a month later by the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 13. They were the culmination of new technologies, including Apple's new larger Super Retina XDR OLED displays and camera improvements.
Just a week ago, on September 14, 2021, Apple unveiled its latest model, the long-awaited iPhone 13.
The company's new smartphone comes in 4 different versions, the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
See also: iPhone 13: Problems with pre-ordering via Apple Card
They have the same screen sizes as last year's models, with the larger version boasting a 6.7-inch display. Apple also put a bigger battery in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, which can last up to an hour and a half longer than the iPhone 12. Otherwise, the new iPhone 13 has mostly the same design as last year with new camera modules arranged diagonally. One camera is a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, with a large sensor that captures 50% more light, while the other includes an ultra-wide lens. They also feature a new Apple-designed chip, which the company calls A15 Bionic.
As we can see, the iPhone has undergone many changes, from a device that held just 16 GB of data to one that has a 1 TB all-in-one camera, a workspace and an entertainment center.
And as the technology sector evolves, we are sure to see new, even more impressive features in future models.
