We analyze the most important changes that the iPhone has undergone up to the present day.
The iPhone was introduced in 2007 and since then many years and many generations have passed. The evolution from that “small” 3.5-inch iPhone to the current ones that exceed 6 has been almost constant, with many major changes that have transformed the iPhone of many ways.
We have analyzed what have been the most important changes that the iPhone has undergone throughout all these years and that have changed it both internally and externally.
Elimination of plastic in the housing
The original iPhone was mostly aluminum, although it had a small plastic part in the lower area. The two feel generations, the iPhone 3G and 3GS, they went completely to plastic in their casing. However, Apple decided with the iPhone 4 to give a more premium touch to your device.
Since then, plastic has been completely removed from the iPhone range and it has been decided to use metals such as aluminum and expensive and glass for its outer casing. Except for the iPhone 5c, which was one of Apple’s most notorious flops.
Change of the 30-pin connector for Lightning (and in the future USB-C)
Undoubtedly one of the most important changes of the iPhonechanging charger fixed many problems and Lightning has proven to be an effective charger, easy to use when laughing, reversible and robusteverything that was not the 30-pin connector that disappeared with the iPhone 5. Curiously, it is expected that the iPhone 15 will make the definitive leap to USB-C, granting greater compatibility with other devices.
SIM, micro-SIM, nano-SIM, eSIM
The iPhones have always been pioneers when it comes to changing something that hadn’t changed for years: the SIM card. The first to force these kinds of changes was the iPhone 4 and its micro-SIM card. A change that lasted barely two years since the iPhone 5 again reduced the card to the nano-SIMwhich we still use today.
But the transition is not over yet the future is eSIM, a card already included that can be changed operator simply by making a couple of clicks. iPhones are already sold only with eSIM and it is something that will end up being imposed.
own chips
Apple has always wanted to control even the smallest detail of its devices and the iPhone has been key in this process. Due to its success, Apple decided to start manufacturing its own chips with the A4 that arrived with the iPhone 4. The first processor designed by Apple for a device.
Since then, all iPhones and iPads have included processors made by Apple. And all of that experience has made it possible for the company to now also design the chips that Macs use.
Screen size increase
We may be facing one of the most important changes in the history of the iPhone. Screen size has grown incredibly in recent years and it was precisely this increase that made the iPhone more popular than ever.
After 5 generations with 3.5-inch screens we made the leap to 4″ for two years, to make a significant leap again to 4.7 and 5.5 inches. A change that was maintained until the arrival of the iPhone X with its 5.8 inches, which later grew until 6.1 and 6.7 current inches.
Touch ID
A authentic revolution in his time that forever changed the way we used the iPhone. All of a sudden, passwords started to be a thing of the past as the iPhone was able to identify us by our fingerprint.
A change that the competition did not manage to match the Touch ID of the iPhone for several years and that most of the iPhone’s rivals continue to use today. Something that released the iPhone 5s in 2013.
Removal of the 3.5mm jack
One of the most controversial and unpopular changes in the history of the iPhone. The iPhone 7, despite having a design very similar to its predecessors, removed the 3.5 mm jack with which to connect headphones via cable.
Today, it is difficult to find a smartphone that has this connection. Its removal certainly boosted the wireless headphone market, where AirPods are so important.
OLED screen
A more important jump than it seems since allowed to create a virtually borderless iPhone. OLED screens took time to reach the iPhone, but they did it in style. Since then, iPhone screens have been ranked as the best on the market.
Something linked to OLED screens and the iPhone X. This new design made it possible to eliminate the home button of the iPhone, something that had been the basis of the iPhone user interface for 10 years. Instead, Apple opted to use screen gestures, something that caught on with all of its rivals.
FaceID
Removing the home button meant losing Touch ID, but Apple had something bigger in store. Face ID is the best 3D facial recognition on the market, capable of identifying you without you noticing, just by looking at your device. A revolution that no one has been able to match.
iPhones have evolved a lot in all these years and continue to we have great things to see in the future. We are facing a device that is well established in the market, being the best-selling device in the world every year.