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Every iPhone Generation: A Full History of Release Dates

by Aurora Mar 04,2025

The Apple iPhone: A Comprehensive History of Every Generation

The iPhone, a 21st-century marvel, has sold over 2.3 billion units globally. With 17 years and numerous releases under its belt, let's explore the complete chronological history of every iPhone model, from 2007 to 2024.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

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How Many iPhone Generations Exist?

A total of 24 distinct iPhone generations have been released. This includes variations like the Plus and Max models, as well as unique iterations such as the iPhone SE and iPhone XR.

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Every iPhone Generation:

  • iPhone (June 29, 2007): The groundbreaking original, featuring a 3.5-inch display and a 2-megapixel camera. It revolutionized the smartphone landscape.

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 3-megapixel camera and improved performance.

iPhone 3GS

  • iPhone 4 (June 24, 2010): Introduced FaceTime video calling and the first Retina display.

iPhone 4

  • iPhone 4S (October 14, 2011): Debuting Siri, iCloud, and iMessage.

iPhone 4S

  • iPhone 5 (September 21, 2012): Brought LTE support and the Lightning port.

iPhone 5

  • iPhone 5S (September 20, 2013): Introduced Touch ID fingerprint recognition.

iPhone 5S

  • iPhone 5C (September 20, 2013): Apple's first budget-friendly option.

iPhone 5C

  • iPhone 6 (September 19, 2014): Featured a sleeker design and Apple Pay.

iPhone 6

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

iPhone 6S

  • iPhone SE (March 31, 2016): A compact iPhone with updated features.

iPhone SE (1st Gen)

  • iPhone 7 (September 16, 2016): Removed the headphone jack and added water resistance.

iPhone 7

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

iPhone 8

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

iPhone X

  • iPhone XS (September 21, 2018): Minor improvements over the iPhone X, including dual-SIM support.

iPhone XS

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

iPhone XR

  • iPhone 11 (September 20, 2019): Larger screen size and a new Ultra Wide camera.

iPhone 11

  • iPhone SE (2nd Gen) (April 24, 2020): Significant performance improvements and a larger display.

iPhone SE (2nd Gen)

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

iPhone 12

  • iPhone 13 (September 24, 2021): Improved battery life and new camera features.

iPhone 13

  • iPhone SE (3rd Gen) (March 18, 2022): The return of the home button and 5G connectivity.

iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

  • iPhone 14 (September 16, 2022): Emergency SOS via satellite and improved cameras.

iPhone 14

  • iPhone 15 (September 22, 2023): USB-C port and significant Pro model upgrades.

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 iPhone. Each generation built upon its predecessor, leading to the sophisticated devices we know today.