The iPhone has transformed the smartphone industry since its launch in 2007. Apple’s iconic device has undergone numerous iterations, each introducing new features and enhancements. The first iPhone was released on June 29, 2007, and the latest model, the iPhone 16, was released on September 20, 2024. This marks the beginning of a new era in mobile technology, which continues to evolve to this day.
Over the years, Apple has maintained a consistent release schedule for its iPhones. The company typically unveils new models in September, with occasional exceptions. Each generation has introduced advancements in camera technology, processing power, and design elements.
From the original iPhone to the latest models, Apple has sold over 2.2 billion units worldwide. The iPhone’s success has transformed Apple into one of the most valuable companies globally, reshaping the mobile phone market and influencing competitor designs.
Release Year For Each iPhone Model
Here’s a list of all iPhone models and their release year:
- iPhone: 2007
- iPhone 3G: 2008
- iPhone 3GS: 2009
- iPhone 4: 2010
- iPhone 4S: 2011
- iPhone 5: 2012
- iPhone 5S & 5C: 2013
- iPhone 6 & 6 Plus: 2014
- iPhone 6S & 6S Plus: 2015
- iPhone SE (1st Gen): 2016
- iPhone 7 & 7 Plus: 2016
- iPhone 8 & 8 Plus: 2017
- iPhone X: 2017
- iPhone XS & XS Max: 2018
- iPhone XR: 2018
- iPhone 11: 2019
- iPhone 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max: 2019
- iPhone SE (2nd Gen): 2020
- iPhone 12 & 12 Mini: 2020
- iPhone 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max: 2020
- iPhone 13 & 13 Mini: 2021
- iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max: 2021
- iPhone SE (3rd Gen): 2022
- iPhone 14 & 14 Plus: 2022
- iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max: 2022
- iPhone 15 & 15 Plus: 2023
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max: 2023
- iPhone 16 & 16 Plus: 2024
- iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max: 2024
iPhone Models Released By Year (Table)
It’s tricky to summarize the key advances of each iPhone generation succinctly, as many models had incremental improvements or focused on different areas (camera, performance, design). But I’ll do my best to highlight some key aspects!
| Year | iPhone Model(s) | Key Advances/Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | iPhone | – Introduced the capacitive touchscreen smartphone with multi-touch interface – Mobile web browsing, visual voicemail, iTunes integration |
| 2008 | iPhone 3G | – 3G network connectivity (faster data speeds) – App Store launched, GPS added |
| 2009 | iPhone 3GS | – “S” for speed: Improved performance, better camera |
| 2010 | iPhone 4 | – New design with glass and stainless steel – Retina display, front-facing camera, FaceTime |
| 2011 | iPhone 4S | – Siri voice assistant introduced – Improved camera with 1080p video recording |
| 2012 | iPhone 5 | – Taller 4-inch display, lighter aluminum body – 4G LTE connectivity, Lightning connector |
| 2013 | iPhone 5S & 5C | – 5S: Touch ID fingerprint sensor, A7 chip with 64-bit architecture – 5C: Colorful plastic design, lower cost option |
| 2014 | iPhone 6 & 6 Plus | – Larger displays (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch) – Apple Pay, improved cameras |
| 2015 | iPhone 6S & 6S Plus | – 3D Touch pressure-sensitive display – “Live Photos”, 4K video recording |
| 2016 | iPhone SE (1st Gen), iPhone 7 & 7 Plus | – SE: Smaller, budget-friendly option with iPhone 5S design – 7/7 Plus: Dual cameras (on 7 Plus), water resistance, no headphone jack |
| 2017 | iPhone 8 & 8 Plus, iPhone X | – 8/8 Plus: Glass back design, wireless charging – X: All-screen design with Face ID, OLED display |
| 2018 | iPhone XS & XS Max, iPhone XR | – XS/XS Max: Improved dual cameras, faster A12 Bionic chip – XR: More affordable with LCD display, variety of colors |
| 2019 | iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max | – 11: Dual cameras, Night mode, A13 Bionic chip – 11 Pro/11 Pro Max: Triple cameras, ProMotion display (120Hz on 13 Pro and later) |
| 2020 | iPhone SE (2nd Gen), iPhone 12 & 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max | – SE (2nd Gen): Updated budget model with A13 chip – 12 series: 5G connectivity, MagSafe, new flat-edge design |
| 2021 | iPhone 13 & 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max | – Improved cameras (Cinematic mode on Pro models), smaller notch, longer battery life |
| 2022 | iPhone SE (3rd Gen), iPhone 14 & 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max | – SE (3rd Gen): 5G support, A15 Bionic chip – 14/14 Plus: Minor updates – 14 Pro/14 Pro Max: “Dynamic Island” replaces the notch, Always-On display |
| 2023 | iPhone 15 & 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max | – 15/15 Plus: USB-C port, Dynamic Island – 15 Pro/ 15 Pro Max: A17 Pro chip, titanium frame, Action button |
| 2024 | iPhone 16 & 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max | – 16/16 Plus: A18 chip, upgraded cameras – 16 Pro/16 Pro Max: A18 Pro chip, periscope telephoto lens, solid-state buttons |
Breakdown Of Each iPhone Series Release Date
Here’s a breakdown of each iPhone series release date with relevant info:
When did the first iPhone come out?
The first iPhone was released on June 29, 2007, in the United States. It was announced earlier that year on January 9, 2007, by Steve Jobs at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco. This groundbreaking device introduced the world to a capacitive touchscreen smartphone with a multi-touch interface, revolutionizing mobile phone interaction. Key features included mobile web browsing, visual voicemail, and iTunes integration.
When did the iPhone 3G come out?
The iPhone 3G was released on July 11, 2008. It was the second generation of the iPhone and a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The key improvements included 3G network connectivity for faster data speeds and the introduction of the App Store, which opened up a world of third-party applications. GPS functionality was also added to this model.
When did the iPhone 3GS come out?
The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. The “S” stood for “speed,” highlighting the phone’s improved performance compared to the 3G. It also featured a better camera with video recording capabilities and voice control.
When did the iPhone 4 come out?
The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It introduced a brand-new design with a glass and stainless steel body. The iPhone 4 also featured the Retina display, a higher-resolution screen that set a new standard for smartphone displays. It also included a front-facing camera, enabling FaceTime video calls.
When did the iPhone 4S come out?
The iPhone 4S was released on October 14, 2011. It was the first iPhone to feature Siri, Apple’s intelligent voice assistant. The 4S also boasted a significantly improved camera with 1080p video recording.
When did the iPhone 5 come out?
The iPhone 5 was released on September 21, 2012. It featured a taller, 4-inch display and a lighter aluminum body. This model also introduced 4G LTE connectivity for even faster data speeds and the new Lightning connector.
When did the iPhone 5S and 5C come out?
The iPhone 5S and 5C were both released on September 20, 2013. The iPhone 5S introduced Touch ID, a fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button for added security. It also featured the A7 chip with 64-bit architecture, a significant advancement in mobile processing power. The iPhone 5C was a more affordable option with a colorful plastic design.
When did the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus come out?
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released on September 19, 2014. These models marked a significant shift in iPhone design with larger displays (4.7-inch for the iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch for the iPhone 6 Plus). Apple Pay, a mobile payment system, was also introduced with this generation.
When did the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus come out?
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus were released on September 25, 2015. They introduced 3D Touch, a pressure-sensitive display technology that allowed for new interactions with the phone. This generation also introduced “Live Photos,” which captured a few seconds of video before and after a still photo.
When did the iPhone SE (1st generation) and iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come out?
The iPhone SE (1st generation) was released on March 31, 2016, while the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were released on September 16, 2016. The iPhone SE was a smaller, budget-friendly option with the design of the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were notable for removing the headphone jack and introducing water resistance. The 7 Plus also featured a dual-camera system.
When did the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X come out?
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were released on September 22, 2017, alongside the iPhone X, which was released on November 3, 2017. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus featured a glass back design that enabled wireless charging. The iPhone X marked a radical departure in design with an all-screen front, Face ID facial recognition, and an OLED display.
When did the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR come out?
The iPhone XS and XS Max were released on September 21, 2018, while the iPhone XR was released on October 26, 2018. The XS and XS Max featured improved dual cameras and a faster A12 Bionic chip. The XR was a more affordable option with an LCD display and a variety of colors.
When did the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max come out?
The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max were all released on September 20, 2019. The iPhone 11 featured a dual-camera system with Night mode for improved low-light photography. The 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max boasted a triple-camera system. All models were powered by the A13 Bionic chip.
When did the iPhone SE (2nd generation), 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max come out?
The iPhone SE (2nd generation) was released on April 24, 2020. The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro were released on October 23, 2020, while the 12 mini and 12 Pro Max were released on November 13, 2020. The SE (2nd generation) was an updated budget model with the A13 chip. The iPhone 12 series introduced 5G connectivity, MagSafe accessories, and a new flat-edge design.
When did the iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max come out?
The iPhone 13 and 13 mini were released on September 24, 2021, alongside the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. This generation focused on camera improvements, including Cinematic mode for video recording on the Pro models. The notch at the top of the display was also made smaller.
When did the iPhone SE (3rd generation), 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max come out?
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) was released on March 18, 2022. The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro were released on September 16, 2022, and the iPhone 14 Plus was released on October 7, 2022. The SE (3rd generation) added 5G support. The 14 Pro models introduced the “Dynamic Island,” a pill-shaped cutout that replaced the notch and housed the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors.
When did the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max come out?
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus were released on September 22, 2023, alongside the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. All models in the 15 series feature a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island. The 15 Pro models are powered by the A17 Pro chip and have a titanium frame.
When did the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max come out?
The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro were released on September 20, 2024. The 16 series brought notable camera upgrades across the board and introduced a dedicated Camera Control button. The Pro models were equipped with the powerful A18 Pro chip and featured a periscope telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capabilities. They also replaced the physical volume buttons with solid-state buttons.
The iPhone 16 was announced at Apple’s iPhone event on September 9, 2024. Other products released at the event included: Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods 4, and New colors for AirPods Max.
Key Takeaways
- The iPhone was first released in 2007 and has seen annual updates since.
- Apple typically releases new iPhone models in September each year.
- iPhones have evolved significantly in design, features, and performance over time.
Evolution of the iPhone
The iPhone has undergone significant changes since its introduction in 2007. Apple’s flagship device has transformed from a revolutionary touchscreen phone to a powerful pocket computer with advanced features and capabilities.
Inception and Early Models
The original iPhone debuted in 2007 with a 3.5-inch display and revolutionary touchscreen interface. It combined a phone, iPod, and internet device into one sleek package. The iPhone 3G followed in 2008, adding 3G cellular data and GPS.
2009 brought the iPhone 3GS with improved performance and video recording. The iPhone 4 arrived in 2010 with a new design, Retina display, and FaceTime video calling. Its successor, the iPhone 4S, introduced Siri in 2011.
Technological Advancements and Features
Apple continued innovating with each new iPhone generation. The iPhone 5 in 2012 debuted a larger 4-inch display and 4G LTE. 2013’s iPhone 5S introduced Touch ID fingerprint scanning and a 64-bit processor.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014 brought even larger screens at 4.7 and 5.5 inches. 3D Touch arrived on the iPhone 6S in 2015. Water resistance debuted on the iPhone 7 in 2016, which also removed the headphone jack.
Face ID facial recognition replaced Touch ID on 2017’s iPhone X. 5G capability came to the iPhone 12 series in 2020.
Design and Display Innovations
iPhone design has evolved significantly over the years. Early models used aluminum and glass construction. The iPhone 4 introduced a glass sandwich design with stainless steel edges.
Display technology improved from LCD to OLED. The iPhone X brought the edge-to-edge display with a notch. The iPhone 12 Pro introduced the Super Retina XDR display.
Recent models feature Ceramic Shield glass for improved durability. The iPhone 14 Pro replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, integrating the front camera and sensors into the user interface.
Impact and Industry Significance
The iPhone revolutionized the mobile industry, reshaping consumer behavior and technological innovation. Its influence extends far beyond Apple’s product line, driving competition and setting new standards for smartphones worldwide.
Consumer Adoption and Market Impact
The iPhone’s launch in 2007 marked a turning point in mobile technology. Within a few years, smartphones became ubiquitous, with the iPhone leading the charge. Apple’s device changed how people communicate, work, and access information.
Sales figures reflect this impact. By 2024, Apple had sold over 2 billion iPhones globally. This massive user base fueled the growth of the app economy. The App Store, introduced in 2008, now hosts millions of apps and has generated billions in revenue for developers.
The iPhone also transformed industries like photography, gaming, and social media. Its high-quality camera made everyone a potential photographer, while mobile games became a multi-billion dollar industry.
Competitive Advancements Led by Apple
Apple’s innovations forced competitors to adapt quickly. Features like touchscreens, app stores, and sleek designs became industry standards. This competition drove rapid advancements in smartphone technology.
Key Apple innovations include:
- Siri (2011): Voice-activated digital assistant
- Touch ID (2013): Fingerprint recognition for security
- Apple Pay (2014): Mobile payment system
- Face ID (2017): Facial recognition technology
These features pushed rivals to develop similar technologies, benefiting consumers with more advanced and feature-rich devices across all brands.
Contributions to Mobile Technology and Culture
The iPhone’s impact extends beyond hardware. It changed how people interact with technology and each other. FaceTime made video calls commonplace, while iMessage redefined texting.
Apple’s focus on privacy and security set new industry standards. Features like end-to-end encryption and app tracking transparency forced other companies to prioritize user privacy.
The iPhone also drove advancements in:
- Mobile photography (e.g., Portrait mode, Night mode)
- Augmented reality (AR Kit)
- Health tracking (Health app, Apple Watch integration)
- Accessibility (VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch)
These innovations have made smartphones essential tools for work, entertainment, and personal health management, deeply integrating them into daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone release dates, model counts, and notable launches are key points of interest for many Apple enthusiasts. These questions cover the timeline of iPhone releases from the first model to recent versions.
What are the release dates for each iPhone model?
Apple has released new iPhone models annually since 2007. The original iPhone launched on June 29, 2007. Subsequent models typically debuted in September or October of each year. The iPhone 13 series was released on September 24, 2021. The iPhone 14 lineup launched on September 16, 2022.
How many iPhone models have been released so far?
As of the iPhone 16 release, Apple has released 29 distinct iPhone models. This count includes main numbered iterations, Plus and Pro variants, and special editions like the iPhone SE. The exact number varies depending on how different configurations are classified.
What was the release year for the first iPhone?
The first iPhone was released in 2007. Steve Jobs unveiled it on January 9, 2007, at the Macworld Conference. It went on sale to the public on June 29, 2007. This groundbreaking device combined a mobile phone, iPod, and internet communicator in one product.
Are there any iPhone versions that were skipped in the numbering?
Apple skipped the iPhone 9 in its naming sequence. The company moved directly from the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus to the iPhone X (pronounced “ten”) in 2017. This jump was made to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.
Which year did the iPhone SE first become available?
The original iPhone SE was introduced on March 21, 2016. It offered the internals of the iPhone 6S in a compact body similar to the iPhone 5S. Apple released a second-generation iPhone SE in 2020 and a third-generation model in 2022.
In which years did the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 launch?
The iPhone 11 series launched on September 20, 2019. It included the standard iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 lineup was released on October 23, 2020, featuring four models: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
