The iPhone journey began back in 2007 when Steve Jobs announced the original model. At the time, it was a breakthrough that reimagined what a mobile phone could be. And as the years passed, Apple continued to put out new models annually. Consequently, we have now witnessed the debut of 42 different iPhone models (including different size variants), and we will be ranking them based on their impact on the world of smartphones as a whole and their significance for Apple.
1 iPhone (2007)
The crown, without a doubt, goes to the very first iPhone, which marked the beginning of a new era at Apple. This device revolutionized the concept of a phone, and it paved the way for other smartphone manufacturers. Some of its highlights include a multi-touch display, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, 2MP camera, up to 16GB of storage, and 128MB of RAM. It sold around 300,000 units the first weekend after it debuted for $499.
2 iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max (2023)
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max claim the second spot for bringing some major upgrades to the table, including a highly anticipated one. For starters, the sharp stainless steel frame from previous Pro iPhones has finally been retired in favor of a round titanium one that makes these phones lighter and more comfortable to hold. That's not to mention that Apple switched the classic mute switch with a customizable Action button, despite the former's iconic status.
They also brought some camera upgrades to the table, including an upgraded portrait mode. As a Pro Max exclusive, users also get to utilize 5x optical zoom or (25x digital), thanks to an all-new tetraprism lens. Lastly, and arguably most importantly, Apple finally dropped the ancient Lightning port and introduced a USB Type-C one, making it possible to carry around a single charging cable for all of your devices.
3 iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max (2022)
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max earn the third spot, mostly because they dropped the notch in favor of the Dynamic Island, offered a 48MP main camera sensor, supported the always-on display functionality, and featured a premium design. These changes reflected a more mature and complete Apple smartphone following years of iterative upgrades.
4 iPhone X (2017)
The iPhone X marked the 10th iPhone anniversary and retired the classic iPhone design in the process. It was the first Apple phone to drop the physical Home button and thick display bezels. So, instead of Touch ID, users could authenticate with Face ID, thanks to the advanced facial scanning sensors packed in the notch.
5 iPhone 15 & 15 Plus (2023)
Despite the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus missing out on some Pro perks, such as the always-on display and 120Hz ProMotion support, they still earn a spot at the top of our list. For years, Apple had been crippling regular iPhone models with dated technology and features. With the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, users finally got a 48MP main camera, Dynamic Island, USB-C, and more — features previously only for Pro models. This refresh offers a fresh breath of air for those used to years of non-Pro iPhones being exceptionally boring and providing regular customers with interesting specifications.
6 iPhone 6 & 6 Plus (2014)
We then move on to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, as the former featured the thinnest iPhone build to date. Furthermore, the iPhone 6 was the first to offer two size options, which has now become a standard for Apple's phones. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus quickly became popular despite the infamous bendgate that showed the phone could bend with enough pressure. The completely overhauled exterior attracted many customers who were sick of the company's tiny phones.
7 iPhone 5s (2013)
The iPhone 5s happens to be my personal favorite. This device introduced Touch ID at a time when Android OEMs struggled with reliable fingerprint readers. It also adopted a 64-bit processor for the first time on an iPhone, setting a new industry standard in the process. It was also one of the last iPhones with no camera bump — just a smooth, flawlessly boxed design.
8 iPhone 4 (2010)
The iPhone 4 introduced an iconic chassis, a 326ppi Retina Display, and a front-facing camera for FaceTime video calls. Just like the iPhone 5s, its design stood out for years despite it being less durable due to the glass build and having the 30-pin port.
9 iPhone 3G (2008)
The iPhone 3G then follows for introducing 3G connectivity support and the App Store. Today, the App Store is available across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and even visionOS as the trusted source for buying and downloading applications. Despite Apple's controversial policies, this digital storefront remains the safest place for users to find software they can (usually) trust.
10 iPhone 3GS (2009)
The iPhone 3GS introduced video recording support, a digital compass, and voice control. Despite voice control being limited at the time, it essentially was the first step towards Siri's birth. And, back then, being able to execute basic tasks on a tiny device using your voice was somewhat extraordinary.