Since its debut, the Apple iPhone has redefined what a smartphone can be, shaping the mobile industry and becoming an essential part of modern life. With each iteration, Apple has pushed the boundaries of design and technology, making the iPhone more powerful, sleek, and user-friendly. As of 2015, we look back at the biggest design moments in the history of Apple’s iPhone and how it became the tech world’s most iconic gadget.
1. The Original iPhone (2007): The Revolution Begins
When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone on January 9, 2007, he called it “a revolutionary and magical product.” Combining a phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator in one device, the original iPhone broke the mold. With its 3.5-inch display, single button (the now-famous Home button), and sleek, minimalist design, it was unlike any mobile phone the world had seen before.
The original iPhone’s capacitive touchscreen and multitouch capabilities were revolutionary. Users could navigate with their fingers, zoom with pinches, and scroll with swipes—features that immediately set the iPhone apart from the stylus-dependent competition. Apple’s decision to focus on the user experience by removing physical keyboards in favor of a virtual one marked a bold departure from traditional smartphone design.
Design Highlight: The single, intuitive Home button and multitouch screen changed the way we interacted with phones forever.
2. iPhone 3G (2008) and iPhone 3GS (2009): Sleek Curves and App Store Revolution
With the iPhone 3G, Apple introduced 3G network capabilities and, more significantly, the App Store. The App Store turned the iPhone into a platform for endless possibilities, with third-party developers able to create apps for nearly every need. The 3G model also featured a more curved design with a glossy plastic back, making it more comfortable to hold.
In 2009, the iPhone 3GS was released, bringing faster performance, video recording, and improved camera capabilities, but the design largely retained the same look. However, this generation solidified Apple’s yearly update cycle, introducing new features with each release.
Design Highlight: The curved plastic back gave the phone a more ergonomic feel, and the App Store changed how we use smartphones, making apps a central part of the iPhone experience.
3. iPhone 4 (2010): The Design Masterpiece
The iPhone 4 is often seen as one of the most significant design leaps in iPhone history. Apple introduced the sleek, industrial design with a stainless steel frame that also functioned as the phone’s antenna, sandwiched between two layers of glass. It was the thinnest smartphone in the world at the time and introduced the Retina Display, which had such high pixel density that individual pixels were indistinguishable to the human eye.
The flat front and back panels gave the iPhone 4 a premium feel, and it was the first model to feature a front-facing camera, enabling video calls via FaceTime. Despite its “antennagate” controversy, where signal issues arose from holding the phone a certain way, the iPhone 4 remains one of the most beloved designs.
Design Highlight: The stainless steel frame, glass body, and the introduction of the Retina Display marked a new era in smartphone aesthetics and functionality.
4. iPhone 5 (2012): Bigger, Lighter, and Thinner
With the iPhone 5, Apple stretched the display to 4 inches, moving away from the 3.5-inch screen size of its predecessors. Despite the larger screen, the iPhone 5 was thinner and lighter, thanks to its aluminum back. The two-tone design, with a combination of metal and glass, gave it a modern, polished look.
The iPhone 5 also introduced the Lightning connector, replacing the 30-pin dock connector, a move that helped make the device thinner but required users to purchase new accessories. The phone’s taller screen made it easier to watch videos in widescreen, and the aluminum body improved durability compared to the glass back of the iPhone 4 and 4S.
Design Highlight: The shift to a 4-inch screen and lightweight aluminum body kept the iPhone feeling cutting-edge while still retaining its iconic look.
5. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2014): Embracing the Phablet Era
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus marked Apple’s boldest design shift yet. With larger screens—4.7 inches for the iPhone 6 and 5.5 inches for the iPhone 6 Plus—Apple officially entered the phablet market, catering to growing consumer demand for bigger displays. The design moved away from the sharp edges of the iPhone 4 and 5, opting instead for smooth, rounded edges and a thinner profile.
This generation featured a full metal back, eliminating the glass back panels seen in earlier models. Despite some criticism over the “bendgate” controversy, where the phone would bend under pressure, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were massive commercial successes and solidified Apple’s place in the large-screen market.
Design Highlight: The sleek, rounded design and larger screens brought Apple into direct competition with Android phablets, offering a balance of size and comfort.
6. iPhone 6S and 6S Plus (2015): 3D Touch and Strengthened Design
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus may have looked nearly identical to the iPhone 6, but they came packed with important new technology. Most notably, they introduced 3D Touch, which allowed users to press on the screen with varying degrees of pressure to access different features—like previews or shortcuts. The 6S also featured an upgraded 12-megapixel camera and a stronger aluminum alloy to address the durability issues of its predecessor.
While the design changes were subtle, the introduction of Rose Gold as a color option added a fresh aesthetic choice, appealing to a broader audience.
Design Highlight: 3D Touch was a key innovation that added depth to how users interacted with their phones, and the new Rose Gold color became an instant hit.
The iPhone’s Impact on Design and Technology
As of 2015, the iPhone is much more than a smartphone—it’s a cultural icon. With each new model, Apple has refined the iPhone’s design, balancing sleek aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. From the groundbreaking introduction of the multitouch screen to the stunning Retina Display and ever-larger, higher-resolution screens, Apple continues to set trends that influence the entire tech industry.
With millions of units sold worldwide and a design philosophy focused on simplicity, elegance, and user experience, the iPhone remains the standard by which all other smartphones are measured. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the legacy of the iPhone is far from over.