Other meanings of apple
Consumer Electronics
The Apple iPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. that combines a mobile phone, iPod, and internet communicator into one device. First introduced by Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, the iPhone has become one of the most influential consumer products of the 21st century, defining the modern smartphone era and generating hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue for Apple.1
The iPhone's development began in 2004 under the codename Project Purple, led by Apple engineers Tony Fadell and Scott Forstall. The original iPhone was announced on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007, in the United States. It combined a 3.5-inch multi-touch display, a 2-megapixel camera, and ran on AT&T's EDGE network. The device was initially criticized for its lack of 3G support and physical keyboard, but its intuitive interface and Safari browser set a new standard for mobile computing.2
Each iPhone generation has introduced significant hardware innovations. The original model featured a 3.5-inch screen, while later models expanded to 4.7, 5.5, and 6.1 inches. The iPhone 4 introduced the Retina display and a glass-and-steel design. The iPhone 5 brought the Lightning connector and a taller screen. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus introduced larger displays and Apple Pay. The iPhone X (2017) marked a radical redesign with an edge-to-edge OLED display, Face ID, and the removal of the home button. Subsequent models have added multiple cameras, ceramic shield glass, and the A-series chips with neural engines.3
The iPhone runs on iOS, Apple's mobile operating system, which was renamed from iPhone OS in 2010. iOS is known for its tight integration with Apple's ecosystem, including iCloud, the App Store, and services like iMessage and FaceTime. The App Store, launched in 2008, has become the world's largest app marketplace, with over 1.8 million apps available. iOS updates are provided for several years, ensuring long-term support. The iPhone also supports accessories like the Apple Watch and AirPods, creating a seamless user experience.4
The iPhone has had a profound impact on the mobile industry, popularizing touchscreen interfaces and the app economy. It has consistently been one of the best-selling smartphones globally, with over 2.2 billion units sold as of 2024. The iPhone has also driven Apple's services revenue, which reached $85 billion in 2023. Its market position is often compared to Android competitors, but the iPhone maintains a loyal customer base and high brand loyalty.
Beyond the mainstream narrative, several lesser-known facts enrich the iPhone's story. The original iPhone was not the first Apple touchscreen device; the Newton MessagePad (1993) was an early precursor. The iPhone's development involved a secret collaboration with AT&T, which gave Apple unprecedented control over the device's design. The iPhone 5s introduced the M7 motion coprocessor, enabling fitness tracking. The iPhone 11 Pro had a U1 ultra-wideband chip for spatial awareness. In 2020, Apple introduced the MagSafe wireless charging system, reviving a name from Mac laptops. The iPhone 14 and 15 introduced satellite connectivity for emergency SOS, a feature that has already saved lives. Additionally, the iPhone's camera has been used in filmmaking, with movies like Tangerine (2015) shot entirely on an iPhone 5s.
This article focuses exclusively on the Apple iPhone, not the fruit.
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