The iPhone, produced by Apple Inc., is a line of smartphones that run on Apple’s iOS operating system. It was introduced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007 and has seen regular updates and new models ever since. More than 2.2 billion iPhones were sold in November 2018 and it has a 15.6% share of the global smartphone market in 2022.
The iPhone was groundbreaking as the first mobile phone to incorporate multi-touch technology. Throughout its evolution, it has seen advancements such as larger screens, video recording, waterproofing, and accessibility features. Earlier models featured a single face button with Touch ID, while recent models adopted a bezel-less design with Face ID and gesture-based app switching. The budget series of iPhone SE still uses Touch ID.
The iPhone is one of the world’s dominant smartphone platforms and competes with Android. It occupies an important position in the luxury market and has contributed enormously to Apple’s profitability, making it one of the most valuable publicly traded companies. The impact of the iPhone on the industry is widely recognized and is credited with popularizing smartphones and the app economy. As of January 2017, the Apple App Store offered more than 2.2 million apps for the iPhone.
History of iPhone :
The iPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. Here is a brief history of the iPhone:
iPhone (2007): The original iPhone was introduced by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007. It was a revolutionary device that combined a mobile phone, iPod, and Internet communication capabilities into a single device with a touch screen interface. .
iPhone 3G (2008): The iPhone 3G was released on July 11, 2008. It introduced support for 3G cellular networks, allowing for faster data speeds and making the device more attractive to a broader audience.
iPhone 3GS (2009) – The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It featured improved performance, a better camera, and the ability to record video.
iPhone 4 (2010): The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured a new design with a stainless steel frame and a glass back. The device featured a higher resolution Retina display, a front-facing camera, and improved hardware specifications.
iPhone 4S (2011): The iPhone 4S was released on October 14, 2011. It featured a faster processor, an improved camera, and the introduction of Siri, Apple’s voice-controlled virtual assistant.
iPhone 5 (2012): The iPhone 5 was released on September 21, 2012. It featured a taller 4-inch display, a thinner and lighter design, and introduced the Lightning connector, which replaced the previous 30-pin dock connector. .
iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S (2013): On September 10, 2013, Apple announced two new iPhones: the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5C featured a colorful plastic casing and was positioned as a more affordable option, while the iPhone 5S introduced a fingerprint sensor called Touch ID and a faster processor.
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (2014): The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were announced on September 9, 2014. They had larger screens (4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, respectively), a thinner design, improved cameras and faster processors.
iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus (2015): iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus were announced on September 9, 2015. They kept the same design as their predecessors but introduced 3D Touch, a pressure-sensitive display technology, and improved cameras. .
iPhone SE (2016) – The first iPhone SE was released on March 31, 2016. It featured a similar design to the iPhone 5S but packed with updated internal hardware, making it a cheaper and more compact option in the iPhone lineup. .
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (2016): The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were announced on September 7, 2016. They introduced water resistance, removed the headphone jack, and featured improved cameras and faster processors.
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (2017): The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were announced on September 12, 2017. They featured glass backs for wireless charging, improved cameras, and the introduction of the A11 Bionic chip.
iPhone X (2017): The iPhone X (pronounced “ten”) was announced on September 12, 2017, alongside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. It introduced a major redesign with an edge-to-edge display, Face ID facial recognition, and the removal of the home button.
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR (2018): On September 12, 2018, Apple announced three new iPhones: the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. The iPhone XS and XS Max featured incremental improvements over the iPhone X, while the iPhone XR offered a more affordable option with a slightly lower-spec screen.
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019): Announced on September 10, 2019, the iPhone 11 series featured improved cameras, faster processors, and longer battery life compared to its predecessors. The iPhone 11 Pro models introduced a triple camera system.
iPhone SE (2020): On April 15, 2020, Apple released the second-generation iPhone SE. It retained the design of the iPhone 8 but included improved internal components, such as the A13 Bionic chip and improved cameras.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro (2020): Announced on October 13, 2020, the iPhone 12 series featured a new design with flat edges, 5G connectivity, the A14 Bionic chip, and improved cameras. It included the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max models.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro (2021): Announced on September 14, 2021, the iPhone 13 series introduced incremental improvements over the iPhone 12 line. The devices featured the A15 Bionic chip, improved cameras, and a smaller notch.
The iPhone 14 series, including the 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max, were unveiled on September 7, 2022. These models featured satellite phone emergency calling capability. The iPhone 14 Plus offered a more affordable option with a large 6.7-inch screen, similar to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max boasted a higher-resolution 48-megapixel main camera, the first increase in megapixels since the iPhone 6s. They also introduced an always-on display for the lock screen and an interactive status bar called “Dynamic Island” integrated into a redesigned screen cutout.
Production :
Until the iPhone 4, all Apple devices were made by Foxconn in Taiwan. In 2011, CEO Tim Cook diversified Apple’s suppliers. The iPhone 4s was the first model produced by both Foxconn and Pegatron, and Pegatron’s share increased over time. In 2019, Apple investigated reports that some Foxconn managers were using rejected parts. In India, Wistron assembles iPhones for the local market. In response to China’s “zero COVID” policy, Apple announced that a portion of the iPhone 14 would be manufactured in Tamil Nadu, India, with the goal of shifting 25% of iPhone production to India by 2025. This strategy helps to mitigate supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Models :
- iPhone 12:
- Release Date: October 23, 2020
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A14
- iPhone 13:
- Release Date: September 24, 2021
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A15
- iPhone 13 Mini:
- Release Date: September 24, 2021
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A15
- iPhone SE (3rd generation):
- Release Date: March 18, 2022
- iPhone 14:
- Release Date: September 16, 2022
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A16
- iPhone 14 Pro:
- Release Date: September 16, 2022
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A16
- iPhone 14 Pro Max:
- Release Date: September 16, 2022
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A16
- iPhone 14 Plus:
- Release Date: October 7, 2022
- System-on-a-chip: Apple A15
iPhone Hardware & Software :
Apple outsources hardware production to external OEM companies while maintaining control over the end product. The iPhone encompasses typical smartphone hardware components, with some unique features like 3D Touch and the Taptic Engine. The touchscreen is the primary hardware, available in sizes of 4.7 inches and larger. Every iPhone includes a rear-facing camera, while the front-facing camera was introduced in the iPhone 4. The iPhone 7 Plus introduced multiple lenses for the rear-facing camera. Various sensors are present, such as proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, facial recognition or fingerprint (depending on the model), and barometer. In 2022, Apple integrated satellite communications into the iPhone with the launch of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.
Software :
The iPhone operates on the iOS operating system, which is based on macOS’s Darwin. It utilizes Cocoa Touch and UIKit instead of AppKit and Cocoa for its user interface. The graphics stack runs on Metal, Apple’s graphics API. The device comes preloaded with Apple’s built-in applications and supports the download of third-party apps from the App Store.
Apple offers free over-the-air updates for iOS, accessible through Finder, iTunes, or directly on the device. Major iOS updates usually coincide with the release of new iPhone models.
The App Store was introduced with the launch of iPhone OS 2.0 in July 2008. Initially, third-party web applications were supported, but later Apple released the iPhone SDK in 2008, enabling developers to create native apps. All third-party apps must be downloaded from the App Store, except for enterprise ad-hoc apps. Developers are required to enroll in Apple’s Developer Program, which involves a yearly fee and grants access to various resources.
Apps on the App Store go through Apple’s app review process before being available for download. Apple reserves the right to reject or remove apps that are deemed inappropriate. The company’s strict control over the App Store has garnered criticism from developers. Jailbreaking, which allows the installation of unauthorized apps, is not supported by Apple and may compromise device security.
The App Store has a vast collection of apps, with over 2.2 million available as of January 2017. Despite iOS having a smaller market share than Android, its app ecosystem is considered superior due to higher app quality and more exclusive releases. Apple’s review process and curated approach contribute to maintaining a certain level of app quality and security.
