Apple introduced the radically new 5.8-inch iPhone X in 2017 to mark the 10th anniversary of its top-selling product. Since then, the company has released a steady stream of successor handsets each year, with all but a handful largely based on that first one of the second iPhone decade. From the iPhone X to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, each Apple handset has been special something new to the table from larger sizes to better displays to improved batteries. Here’s a look at every iPhone history over the past five years.
The year 2017 marked the first time Apple introduced more than two handsets at the same event. The iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Pro made their debut at the media event on September 12 that had the tagline, “Let’s meet at our place.” Also making a debut was the Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple TV 4K.
Though it was announced in September 2017, the highly-anticipated iPhone X didn’t actually arrive until early November due to product delays. Featuring a bezel-less design and OLED, the handset introduced a new type of authentication, Face ID, which uses sensors to scan the user’s face to unlock the device. In addition, because of the new face-recognition capability, the iPhone X shipped with a new feature called Animoji, animated emojis that reacted to the user’s expression. Inductive charging was also introduced.
Priced at $999, the 5.8-inch iPhone X was the most expensive Apple handset to date. It was available in two color options: silver and space gray.
For those unwilling to spend ten Benjamins on a smartphone, Apple offered the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 series, these phones kept Touch ID and a noticeable bezel. However, like the iPhone X, they included a glass back and inductive charging.
| models | iPhone X | iPhone 8/8 Plus |
| Release Date | November 3, 2017 | September 22, 2017 |
| Retirement Date | September 18, 2018 | April 15, 2020 |
| Display Size | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display / 5.5-inch Retina HD display |
| Color Choices | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray, Gold. Product Red later added |
| Storage Options | 64GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB or 256GB |
| Starting price | $999 | $699 |
| camera units | Back: Dual 12MP cameras (Telephoto and Wide) Front: TrueDepth camera |
Back: Single 12MP Wide camera (Wide) (iPhone 8) Back: Dual 12MP cameras (Telephoto and Wide) (iPhone 8 Plus) Front: FaceTime HD camera |
| Notable features | A11 Bionic Chip | A11 Bionic Chip |
| face ID | True Tone technology added | |
| OLED display | HDR10 and DolbyVision | |
| successor | iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max / iPhone XR | iPhone SE (2nd generation) |
iPhone History: 2018
In a surprising move, Apple discontinued the iPhone X just 10 months after it arrived in stores. In its place were three new handsets, the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, announced at the September “Gather round” event. Also announced on this date were the Apple Watch Series 4.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
The 5.8-inch iPhone XS was nearly identical to its predecessor, the iPhone X. However, the iPhone XS Max was the first “Max” handset, and its 6.5-inch OLED display was the largest to date for an Apple handset.
As the “XS” name suggests, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max didn’t bring many new features to the table. Both included an OLED display, better batteries, and an A12 Bionic chip and were available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. However, like the handset it replaced, both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were only on the market for a year.
iPhone XR
Meanwhile, the 6.1-inch iPhone XR model featured a Liquid Retina LED, and it also shipped with an Apple A12 Bionic chip. This model brought bright colors back to iPhone for the first time since the iPhone 5c was launched in 2013. The iPhone XR had a long life and is one of the most popular iPhones in history; it was discontinued at the iPhone 13 event in September 2021.
| models | iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max | iPhone XR |
| Release Date | September 21, 2018 | October 26, 2018 |
| Retirement Date | September 10, 2019 | September 14, 2021 |
| Display Size | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display / 6.5-inch Super Retina HD display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display |
| Color Choices | Silver, Space Gray, Gold | Blue, White, Black, Yellow, Coral, Product Red |
| Storage Options | 64GB, 256GB or 512GB | 64GB or 128GB |
| Starting price | $999, and $1,099, respectively | $749 |
| camera units | Back: Dual 12MP cameras (Wide and Ultra Wide)
Front: TrueDepth camera |
Back: Single 12MP Wide camera (Wide)
Face: TrueDepth camera |
| Notable features | A12 Bionic Chip | A12 Bionic Chip |
| Up to 512GB | colorful | |
| new gold option | First 6.1-inch iPhone | |
| successor | iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max | iPhone 11 |
iPhone History: 2019
In 2019, Apple introduced the first handsets in the iPhone Pro series alongside the regular iPhone model. The divide between the two has typically centered on the materials used on the device and the camera system. The iPhone 11 (besides the iPhone SE (2nd-generation) became the last iPhone to include an LCD, not OLED.
Apple revealed the three new handsets at the “By innovation only” event alongside the Apple Watch Series 5 and 7th generation iPad.
iPhone 11
Continuing a pattern that began in 2018, the iPhone 11 contained the same chipset as the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro series and glass on the front and back. Instead of surgical-grade stainless steel, however, the iPhone 11 contained aerospace-grade aluminum for its body. It also included two rear cameras instead of three. The iPhone 11 remains on the market and will most likely remain there until at least fall 2022.
iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max
The 2019 iPhone Pro handsets were the first to include the triple-camera system on the rear side. In addition, beginning this year, the Pro lineup featured one unique color: Midnight Green.
| models | iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| Release Date | September 20, 2019 | September 20, 2019 |
| Retirement Date | current | October 13, 2020 |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display / 6.5-inch Super Retina HD display |
| Color Choices | Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White, Product Red | Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Midnight Green |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB (256GB discontinued) | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Starting price | Original: $699, now starting at $499 | $999 and $1,099, respectively |
| camera units | Back: Dual 12MP cameras (Wide and Ultra Wide)
Front:: TrueDepth camera |
Back: Triple 12MP cameras (Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide)
Front: TrueDepth camera |
| Notable features | A13 Bionic Chip | A13 Bionic Chip |
| Included a price break from iPhone XR | camera upgrades | |
| successor | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max |
iPhone History: 2020
Though COVID-19 pushed the annual iPhone event online, it proved to be one of the best in recent memory. In October, the “Hi, Speed” event showcased the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The new handsets were announced after the HomePod mini. In a big surprise, Apple announced MagSafe charging for iPhone and ceramic shield fronts on all four models.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini was nearly the same as the regular iPhone 12 model, except for its size and battery. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, like the iPhone 11, were Apple’s less expensive models. Each featured the same internals as the iPhone 12 Pro series, with the differences most noticeable on the camera systems and body materials used.
iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
For this year’s Pro lineup, Apple introduced a Pacific Blue model as the iPhone 12 Pro Max became the largest iPhone to date, 6.7-inch across. Elsewhere, the Pro models once again picked up three rear-facing cameras and included a surgical-grade stainless steel body.
| models | iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| Release Date | October 23, 2020 / November 13, 2020 | October 23, 2020 / November 13, 2020 |
| Retirement Date | current | September 14, 2021 |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display / 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display / 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display |
| Color Choices | Purple, Blue, Green, Product Red, White, and Black | Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Pacific Blue |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | 128Gb, 256GB, or 512GB |
| Starting price | $799 and $699, now starting at $699 and $599, respectively | $999 and $1,099, respectively |
| camera units | Back: Dual 12MP camera system (Wide and Ultra Wide)
Front: TrueDepth camera |
Back: Pro 12MP camera system (Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide)
Front: TrueDepth camera |
| Notable features | A14 Bionic Chip | A14 Bionic Chip |
| First iPhone mini | MagSafe on all four models | |
| First OLED at this price point | ||
| successor | iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max |
The iPhone SE (2nd-Generation)
On April 24, 2020, Apple introduced the iPhone SE (2nd-generation). The 4.7-inch smartphone was designed to replace the iPhone 8 (which was retired following the announcement). It arrived three years after the original iPhone SE left the market. The iPhone SE is currently Apple’s least expensive handset and the only one to keep a Touch ID button.
The iPhone SE (2nd-generation) included some of the features found on the iPhone 11, which was released a few months before. These included an A13 Bionic chip, a glass front/back, and similar capacities. And yet, it doesn’t offer a Liquid Retina display, nor will you find an Ultra-Wide camera.
Whether Apple keeps the iPhone SE (2nd-generation) around long-term is anyone’s guess. But, at least for now, it’s available and serves as a great starting smartphone.
iPhone History: 2021
Finally, this brings us to the 2021 iPhone lineup. Very much similar to last year’s lineup, the iPhone 13 series is noted for its improved cameras across the board, 1TB iPhone Pro option, and introduction of Cinematic mode. The four new handsets are the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple revealed the iPad mini 6 and the ninth-generation iPad at the “California streaming” online event.
| models | iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max |
| Release Date | September 24, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
| Retirement Date | current | current |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display / 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display / 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display |
| Color Choices | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, and Product Red | Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Sierra Blue |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Starting price | $699 and $799, respectively | $999 |
| camera units | Rear: Dual 12MP camera system (Wide and Ultra Wide)
Front: TrueDepth camera |
Back: Pro 12MP camera system (Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide)
Front: TrueDepth camera |
| Notable features | A15 Bionic Chip | A15 Bionic Chip |
| cinematic mode | First 1TB iPhone | |
| cinematic mode | ||
| successor | current | current |
iPhone History: the Current Lineup
Here’s the current iPhone lineup alongside the various price points. They range from $399 for the least expensive iPhone SE (2nd-generation) to $1,599 for the 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max.
| Model | Storage | prices |
| iPhone 11 | 64GB, 128GB | $499, $549 |
| iPhone SE (2nd) | 64GB, 128GB | $399, $449 |
| iPhone 12 | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | $699, $749, $849 |
| iPhone 12 mini | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | $599, $649, $749 |
| iPhone 13 | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | $799, $899, $1,099 |
| iPhone 13 mini | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | $699, $799, $999 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | $999, $1,099, $1,299, $1,499 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | $1099, $1,199, $1,399, $1,599 |
As you can see, Apple has released a lot of iPhones in the last five years. So it will be interesting to see where iPhone history goes from here in 2022 and beyond.
