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Every iPhone Generation: A Full History of Release Dates

Author : Lucy Update : Feb 26,2025

The Apple iPhone: A Comprehensive History of Every Generation

The iPhone, a 21st-century marvel, boasts over 2.3 billion units sold globally. This revolutionary device has undergone numerous iterations since its 2007 debut. This article chronologically details each iPhone generation, including variations like Plus, Max, and SE models, totaling 24 distinct releases. The latest, the iPhone 16, concludes a rich history spanning from 2007 to 2024.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

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Image: Poll graphic showing frequency of iPhone upgrades

Every iPhone Generation:

  • iPhone (June 29, 2007): This groundbreaking device combined iPod, phone, and internet capabilities, revolutionizing the smartphone market with its 3.5-inch display and 2MP camera.

Original iPhone

  • iPhone 3G (July 11, 2008): Introduced 3G connectivity and the revolutionary App Store.

iPhone 3G

Image Credit: Cult of Mac

  • iPhone 3GS (June 19, 2009): Boasted a 3MP camera and double the processing speed of its predecessor.

iPhone 3GS

  • iPhone 4 (June 24, 2010): Featured FaceTime video calling, a 5MP camera with LED flash, and the first Retina display.

iPhone 4

  • iPhone 4S (October 14, 2011): Introduced Siri, 1080p video recording (via its 8MP camera), iCloud, and iMessage.

iPhone 4S

  • iPhone 5 (September 21, 2012): Supported LTE, featured improved audio, and introduced the Lightning port.

iPhone 5

  • iPhone 5S (September 20, 2013): Introduced Touch ID fingerprint scanning, the A7 processor, and enhanced camera technology.

iPhone 5S

  • iPhone 5C (September 20, 2013): Apple's first budget-friendly option, featuring the iPhone 5's hardware in a colorful design.

iPhone 5C

  • iPhone 6 (September 19, 2014): Introduced a sleeker design and Apple Pay. Also marked the introduction of the larger iPhone 6 Plus.

iPhone 6

  • iPhone 6S (September 25, 2015): Featured 3D Touch and 4K video recording capabilities.

iPhone 6S

  • iPhone SE (March 31, 2016): A compact iPhone with iPhone 6S features in an iPhone 5S-style body.

iPhone SE (1st Gen)

  • iPhone 7 (September 16, 2016): Removed the headphone jack, added water resistance, and introduced a dual-camera system on the iPhone 7 Plus.

iPhone 7

  • iPhone 8 (September 22, 2017): Added wireless charging and a True Tone display.

iPhone 8

  • iPhone X (November 3, 2017): A revolutionary design with an all-screen front, Face ID, and edge-to-edge display.

iPhone X

  • iPhone XS (September 21, 2018): A refined iPhone X with minor improvements, including dual-SIM support.

iPhone XS

  • iPhone XR (October 26, 2018): A more affordable option with an LCD display and single rear camera.

iPhone XR

  • iPhone 11 (September 20, 2019): Featured a larger 6.1-inch display and an ultrawide camera. Also introduced Pro models with triple-camera systems.

iPhone 11

  • iPhone SE (2nd Gen) (April 24, 2020): A significant upgrade over the first SE, featuring the A13 Bionic chip, a larger display, and Haptic Touch.

iPhone SE (2nd Gen)

  • iPhone 12 (October 23, 2020): Introduced MagSafe, a Super Retina XDR display, and Ceramic Shield.

iPhone 12

  • iPhone 13 (September 24, 2021): Improved battery life, Cinematic Mode, and ProRes video recording (on Pro models).

iPhone 13

  • iPhone SE (3rd Gen) (March 18, 2022): Brought back the home button, added 5G connectivity, and included features like Night Mode and Photographic Styles.

iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

  • iPhone 14 (September 16, 2022): Introduced Emergency SOS via satellite and upgraded camera systems.

iPhone 14

  • iPhone 15 (September 22, 2023): Pro models featured a new periscope lens, titanium frame, and action button. Switched from Lightning to USB-C.

iPhone 15

  • iPhone 16 (September 20, 2024): Faster CPU, customizable action button, and Apple Intelligence integration.

iPhone 16

Looking Ahead to the iPhone 17:

While details are scarce, the iPhone 17 is anticipated around September 2025.

This comprehensive overview provides a detailed look at the evolution of the iconic iPhone.