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Every iPhone Generation: A Full History of Release Dates

Author : George Mar 19,2025

The Apple iPhone, a 21st-century marvel, has sold over 2.3 billion units globally, solidifying its place as a revolutionary device. With 17 years and countless models under its belt, tracing the iPhone's evolution can be challenging. This comprehensive guide chronologically lists every iPhone ever released, from the original in 2007 to the latest iPhone 16 in 2024.

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How Many iPhone Generations Have There Been?

A total of 24 distinct iPhone generations exist. Since the 2007 debut, at least one new model has launched annually. This count includes variations like Plus and Max models within each generation, as well as unique entries such as the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone XR.

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Every iPhone Generation in Order of Release

iPhone - June 29, 2007

Original iPhone

The groundbreaking first iPhone, released June 29, 2007, combined iPod, phone, and internet capabilities, revolutionizing the smartphone market. Its 3.5-inch display and 2-megapixel camera marked a significant departure from traditional cell phones.

iPhone 3G - July 11, 2008

iPhone 3G

Image Credit: Cult of Mac

The iPhone 3G introduced 3G connectivity for faster data speeds and the revolutionary App Store, opening a world of developer-created apps.

iPhone 3GS - June 19, 2009

iPhone 3GS

Featuring a 3-megapixel camera and enhanced storage, the iPhone 3GS offered improved image quality and app capacity. Performance was also notably faster than its predecessor.

iPhone 4 - June 24, 2010

iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 debuted FaceTime for video calls, a 5-megapixel camera with HD video recording and LED flash, and Apple's first Retina display for sharper visuals.

iPhone 4S - October 14, 2011

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S is best known for introducing Siri, Apple's virtual assistant. It also boasted 1080p video capture from its 8-megapixel camera and debuted key software like iCloud and iMessage.

iPhone 5 - September 21, 2012

iPhone 5

LTE support for faster data, improved audio with enhanced microphones, and the introduction of the Lightning port were key features of the iPhone 5.

iPhone 5S - September 20, 2013

iPhone 5S

Touch ID fingerprint unlocking, the A7 processor, and advanced camera technology debuted on the iPhone 5S.

iPhone 5C - September 20, 2013

iPhone 5C

Apple's first budget-friendly iPhone, the 5C, offered vibrant colors and the same internal hardware as the iPhone 5, at a lower price point.

iPhone 6 - September 19, 2014

iPhone 6

The iPhone 6 featured a slimmer design and introduced Apple Pay via NFC technology. The larger iPhone 6 Plus also debuted in this generation.

iPhone 6S - September 25, 2015

iPhone 6S

3D Touch pressure-sensitive technology and 4K video recording were key upgrades in the iPhone 6S.

iPhone SE - March 31, 2016

iPhone SE (1st Gen)

The first iPhone SE revived the iPhone 5S design with updated internals from the iPhone 6S, offering a compact and affordable option.

iPhone 7 - September 16, 2016

iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 controversially removed the headphone jack, added water resistance, and introduced a Taptic Engine home button. The iPhone 7 Plus featured a dual-camera system.

iPhone 8 - September 22, 2017

iPhone 8

Wireless charging (via a glass back), and the True Tone display were added to the iPhone 8, which retained a similar design to the iPhone 7.

iPhone X - November 3, 2017

iPhone X

The iPhone X marked a significant design shift, removing the home button and introducing an edge-to-edge display and Face ID facial recognition.

iPhone XS - September 21, 2018

iPhone XS

A refined version of the iPhone X, the iPhone XS added dual-SIM support.

iPhone XR - October 26, 2018

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR offered a more affordable option with an LCD display and single-lens camera, while retaining many features of the iPhone X and XS.

iPhone 11 - September 20, 2019

iPhone 11

The iPhone 11 featured a larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display and an ultrawide camera. The Pro models introduced a triple-camera system and HDR support.

iPhone SE (2nd Gen) - April 24, 2020

iPhone SE (2nd Gen)

The second-generation iPhone SE boasted a more powerful A13 Bionic chip, a larger 4.7-inch display, and Haptic Touch.

iPhone 12 - October 23, 2020

iPhone 12

MagSafe magnetic charging, a Super Retina XDR display, and a Ceramic Shield for improved durability were key features of the iPhone 12.

iPhone 13 - September 24, 2021

iPhone 13

Improved battery life, Cinematic Mode for video recording, and ProRes video on Pro models highlighted the iPhone 13.

iPhone SE (3rd Gen) - March 18, 2022

iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

The third-generation iPhone SE brought back the home button and added 5G connectivity.

iPhone 14 - September 16, 2022

iPhone 14

Emergency SOS via satellite, upgraded camera systems, and the return of the Plus model were featured in the iPhone 14.

iPhone 15 - September 22, 2023

iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 series featured significant Pro model upgrades including a new lens, titanium frame, action button, and a USB-C port.

iPhone 16 - September 20, 2024

iPhone 16

The latest iPhone 16 boasts faster CPU performance, a customizable action button, and integrated Apple Intelligence. Our review details all the improvements.

When Is the iPhone 17 Coming Out?

While the iPhone 16 is new, anticipation for the iPhone 17 is already building. Expect a September 2025 launch, similar to previous years.

Explore more Apple history with our guides to every iPad and Apple Watch generation.