Since the first iPhone landed back in 2007, Apple’s smartphone has shaped not just the phone market, but modern tech on the whole.
What started as a luxurious curiosity has become the world’s most recognisable tech product, and the reason that Apple has since become one of the most valuable tech companies around.
Eighteen years later, more than three billion iPhones have been sold, with almost a quarter of a billion of those sold in 2024 alone. And it’s safe to say that Apple’s smartphone collection has changed quite a bit since Steve Jobs revealed the original iPhone on stage back in 2007.
Here’s how the iPhone has evolved, year by year, model by model, from 2007 to 2025. If you’re curious about which is best right now, take a look at our handpicked selection of the best iPhones.
iPhone – June 2007
The original iPhone remains one of the most significant gadgets ever released. When Steve Jobs pulled it from his pocket at Macworld Expo, nobody imagined that a 3.5-inch touchscreen with no keyboard would end up defining modern tech – in more ways than one.
It combined music, calls and the internet into one sleek slab of aluminium and plastic, though many of today’s iPhone features were nowhere to be found. No App Store, no copy and paste, and no MMS support.
But the idea of a phone that really was a computer in your pocket was a game-changer compared to other phones available at the time.
iPhone 3G – July 2008
A year later, Apple polished the concept and made it properly online-ready. The iPhone 3G added faster mobile data and, crucially, the App Store – the feature that turned the iPhone from a cool gadget into a proper platform for apps. Until this point, the only apps available on iPhone were those developed in-house by Apple.
With the release of the online storefront, third-party apps turned the iPhone into whatever you wanted it to be, from a game console and photo editor to a satnav. The latter was a particularly big deal at the time, as dedicated satellite navigation tech for cars would cost hundreds.
iPhone 3GS – June 2009
This one holds a special place my (the writer, hello!) heart, as it was the first iPhone that I owned.
The ‘S’ in the iPhone 3GS might’ve stood for speed, but it also marked a maturity of Apple’s iPhone. The interface was faster, storage doubled to 32GB and the camera jumped to a 3MP model with autofocus.
For the first time, the iPhone felt properly polished, and capable enough to handle an expanding world of apps. But Apple was just getting started.
iPhone 4 – June 2010
The iPhone 4 remains one of Apple’s most iconic designs, even compared to today’s iPhones. Flat stainless steel sides, front and back glass and a Retina display – sound familiar?
The display in particular was a huge selling point, with a much more pixel-packed resolution than not only previous iPhones but also much of the early smartphone competition.
It also brought FaceTime thanks to a new front camera and a far sharper 5MP shooter on the rear. It wasn’t all smooth sailing at the time though; “antennagate” became the first iPhone controversy when signal strength dropped if you held it the “wrong” way.
Apple gave customers free bumper cases to help negate the issue, but it remains one of the more memorable iPhone screw-ups.
iPhone 4S – October 2011
While Apple had previously favoured a June release, the iPhone 4S marks the first iPhone to shift to the autumn release that Apple still sticks with today. While the S in 3GS stood for Speed, the S in 4S stands for Siri – or, unofficially, Steve, as the Apple founder passed away at around the same time.
Siri was the first mainstream voice assistant built into a phone, and while its usefulness was limited at first, it set the stage for many of the voice-driven assistants like Alexa, Gemini and even ChatGPT that we now take for granted.
It also featured a much better 8MP rear-facing camera, 1080p video recording and faster internals, making for a compelling package.
iPhone 5 – September 2012
After years with a 3.5-inch screen, the iPhone finally grew with the iPhone 5.
The taller 4-inch screen looked more cinematic than the outgoing alternative, and 4G LTE connectivity arrived for proper high-speed browsing. It also ditched the clunky 30-pin connector for the much slimmer Lightning connector – a connection that’d stick around for an entire decade.
The aluminium design was lighter, sharper and more modern, though prone to scuffs, particularly in the darker colours where scratches would often reveal a light metal body beneath.
iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c – September 2013
2013 represents the first time that Apple ever launched more than one phone at the same time. The iPhone 5s was the sleek flagship boasting new Touch ID fingerprint unlocking – a really impressive feature at the time – while the colourful 5c was the fun, slightly cheaper option with more vibrant colours made of plastic rather than metal.
That said, Apple’s plastic construction was much more solid than the flimsy plastic alternatives found on cheaper phones at the time, helping it stand out.
The differences went beyond materials however; the iPhone 5s had a better camera with a dual-tone flash and a faster chip, but many loved the 5c’s personality, even today. It’s rather odd, then, that the iPhone 5c was the only ‘c’ variant ever launched by Apple.
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus – September 2014
2014 represents the first year that Apple launched the same phone in different sizes – a theme that continues to this day.
The iPhone 6 (4.7-inch) and 6 Plus (5.5-inch) ditched the flat edges of previous iPhones for thinner, curved aluminium bodies and Apple Pay for tap-to-pay transactions. However, it might’ve been a little too thin, as “bendgate” revealed that the new slim frame was a bit too flexible.
They still sold record numbers though, because, well, people love something new and shiny, don’t they?
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus – September 2015
Visually identical to the outgoing iPhone 6 collection, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus hid significant improvements within.
The new A9 chip was blisteringly fast, and Apple introduced pressure-sensing 3D Touch support to the screen, allowing you to both press and push down on the screen for different interactions.
The camera also jumped in resolution again, this time to 12MP, while Hey Siri worked hands-free for the first time without the need to be plugged in.
iPhone SE (first-gen) – March 2016
The first iPhone SE was a love letter to the old iPhone 5 design, albeit in a more affordable form. Despite this, the SE packed near-flagship internals in a small, pocketable frame, giving fans of smaller phones something powerful again.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus – September 2016
Apple’s most controversial move yet came with the launch of the iPhone 7 range. Why? Because it ditched the fan-favourite headphone jack – a move that would soon be copied by much of the competition.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus also introduced water resistance for the first time, along with a new matte and glossy Jet Black finish, while the Plus model stood out with the introduction of a secondary lens for zoom and Portrait shots.
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus – September 2017
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were the last of the ‘classic’ iPhones with a Home button and thick bezels, though it still sported key improvements like a glass rear for wireless charging. It launched alongside the much more radical iPhone X, but stood as a safe and solid upgrade for those not quite ready to say goodbye to that classic design.
iPhone X – November 2017
Announced alongside the iPhone 8 collection but not released until two months later, the iPhone X represented a total overhaul of the iPhone experience.
It ditched the Home button for an edge-to-edge screen, along with Apple’s new Face ID facial recognition. It was the first iPhone to introduce the notch as a result, which dominated Apple’s design language – for better and worse – for the next half-decade.
iPhone XS and XS Max – September 2018
With such a radical redesign with the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and XS Max were never going to offer huge design changes – and that’s exactly what happened.
Still, the iPhone XS offered refinements with better performance and improved cameras, while the XS Max expanded the screen to an enormous (for the time) 6.5 inches. The range also sported better water resistance and dual-SIM support.
iPhone XR – October 2018
The iPhone XR took the core features of the iPhone XS – Face ID, full-screen design – and made them slightly more affordable. It sported a colourful aluminium body, along with an LCD display and a single camera, but that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the best-selling iPhones ever.
iPhone 11 series – September 2019
Three iPhones – the 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max – were introduced with the iPhone 11 series, offering improved battery life and the addition of ultrawide lenses to Apple’s smartphone lineup.
Night mode transformed low-light photography, and the Pro models got beautiful matte finishes and OLED screens to justify their top-end price tags.
iPhone SE (second-gen) – April 2020
Four years after the release of the first-gen iPhone SE, Apple revived the brand.
Shaped like an iPhone 8 but with the same A13 chipset as the flagship iPhone 11 collection, it became Apple’s go-to option for those who wanted access to iOS without the associated price tag.
iPhone 12 series – October 2020
The iPhone 12 series was a big deal for a number of reasons. It not only reintroduced the flat-edged design popularised by the iPhone 4, but it was the year that Apple’s popular MagSafe wireless tech rolled out, allowing support for snap-on accessories and chargers.
It also introduced a pocket-friendly ‘mini’ version for the first time, along with 5G connectivity and Ceramic Shield screen protection. The only downside? This was the first year that Apple removed the charger from the box – a trend that would, once again, be copied by most other manufacturers.
iPhone 13 series – September 2021
The iPhone 13 series looked a lot like the iPhone 12 collection, but there were big steps forward in terms of battery life and camera capabilities across the range.
The A15 Bionic chip massively improved efficiency, Cinematic Mode brought creative video focus transitions still popular today, and the Pro models gained silky-smooth 120Hz ProMotion screens for the first time.
iPhone SE (third-gen) – March 2022
Despite the iPhone changing design a few times since the release of the last budget-focused iPhone SE, the third-gen SE still looked and felt a lot like an iPhone 8 – albeit with an upgraded A15 Bionic chipset and 5G connectivity.
It was a great option for those still lamenting the loss of the Home button and Touch ID, but a small, low-res LCD screen and lacklustre battery life compared to the flagship iPhones stopped it from being quite as tempting as the original SE.
iPhone 14 series – September 2022
Four iPhones once again, but there was a big change that year. Out went the mini, in came the Plus – a larger, more accessible full-screen model with battery life rivalling the top-end Pro Max.
The regular versions reused the iPhone 13’s chip, a rather controversial move at the time, while the Pro models broke new ground with the now-popular Dynamic Island tech and the first 48MP rear camera upgrade.
Throw in satellite connectivity and eSIM-only options in the US, and it’s beginning to look a lot like modern iPhones.
iPhone 15 series – September 2023
The iPhone 15 range was significant because it finally ditched the ageing Lightning cable for USB-C, offering better compatibility with third-party charging systems. The regular models began to resemble the Pro models, featuring the same Dynamic Island technology and a matching 48MP primary camera.
The Pro models, meanwhile, gained a lightweight titanium frame for the first time, and Apple replaced the alert slider with the customisable Action Button.
iPhone 16 series – September 2024
Apple doubled down on refinement in 2024, offering a redesigned camera housing on the regular models, along with a wider rollout of the Action Button. The Camera Control button also made its debut with the 16 range, though unlike the Action Button, it was available across the collection from day one.
The Pro models also saw a few changes, with slightly larger screens (6.3 and 6.9 inches) with slimmer bezels, along with an upgraded secondary 48MP lens.
iPhone 16e – February 2025
It might be called the iPhone 16e, but it’s really a spiritual successor to the iPhone SE – albeit one that’s much more tempting.
The 16e introduced Apple’s first in-house modem, the C1, along with Apple Intelligence support. It did skip MagSafe, but it offered stronger battery life, a flagship-level chipset and a single 48MP sensor that punched well above its budget-focused price point.
iPhone 17 series – September 2025
Tim Cook described the iPhone 17 series as “the biggest leap ever”, and there’s some truth to that. Though the regular iPhone 17 looked familiar, the Pro models got a glow-up with a new design that utilises a one-piece metal frame, along with a boost to camera zoom tech, now able to get up to 8x using in-sensor zoom.
The entire range also got a much-needed storage boost at the entry-level, despite the fact that they cost the same as their predecessors.
iPhone Air – September 2025
The real star of Apple’s September 2025 announcement was the iPhone Air. It’s Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6mm, and also represents the thinnest premium phone around right now. But despite its svelte dimensions, it still packs Apple’s A19 Pro chipset found in the 17 Pro models.
It sacrificed multiple cameras for a single 48MP “fusion” lens and leaned into minimalism over maximal power. Apple even made a slimline MagSafe battery to help it through heavier days.
And that’s where we are with iPhone releases; the iPhone 17 collection and iPhone Air are the latest iPhones to release – though who knows what 2026 has in store for iPhone fans.
