Slideshow

In pictures: iPhone evolution, timeline and notable moments

9 Photos Al Sacco (CIO (US))

With the iPhone 5S and 5C expected to hit Apple stores next week, here's a look back in time at the evolution of the smartphone that started it all.

  • Evolution of the iPhone This week Apple announced its latest iPhone models: The top-of-the-line iPhone 5S and the midrange iPhone 5C. Check out the following slides for a look at the evolution of Apple's smartphone, along with a timeline of notable events, early sales numbers for each model and technical specifications that set them apart from their predecessor devices.

  • The Original iPhone - The Smartphone That Started a Revolution Announced: Jan. 9, 2007 Released in United States: June 29, 2007 Notable Specs: First iOS device; 2MP camera; 3.5-inch display; quad-band GSM (EDGE) radio; Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and Bluetooth 2.0. Notable Steve Jobs Moment: While announcing the first iPhone, Apple CEO Steve Jobs prank called a nearby San Francisco Starbucks and ordered 4,000 lattes to go—a prank that would haunt that Starbucks store for years. Sales: Apple said it sold its first million iPhones in 74 days.

  • Apple iPhone 3G - iPhone Gets 3G Radio Announced: June 9, 2008 Released: July 11, 2008 Notable Specs: GPS; Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support; quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA 3G radios; 2MP camera, and App Store for mobile applications. Notable iPhone 3G Fact: The second-generation iPhone was released to many more countries and locales than the initial iPhone, which was only released in North American and the European Union, bringing iOS to a whole new set of countries and making countless new Apple customers. Sales: Apple said it sold 1 million iPhone 3G devices in the three days following its launch.

  • Apple iPhone 3GS - iOS Gets Cut & Paste Announced: June 8, 2009 Released: June 19, 2009 Notable Specs: 3MP camera with video recording; max storage of 32GB; new voice-control features; compass; Internet tethering; and built-in Nike+ integration. Notable iPhone 3GS Fact: The first two versions of the iPhone packed tons of unique and innovative features but they were frequently criticized for lacking some very basic functionality: Cut, copy and paste. The iPhone 3GS, which ran iOS 3.0, was the first iPhone to get these features, along with the first iOS landscape keyboard. Sales: Apple said it sold 1 million iPhone 3G devices in the three days following its launch.

  • Apple iPhone 4 - Face to Face with FaceTime Announced: June 7, 2010 Released: June 24, 2010 Notable Specs: Front-facing camera for FaceTime video calling; 5MP rear-facing camera; 3.5-inch "Retina" display (960 x 640 pixels), and Apple A4 processor. Notable iPhone 4 fact: A day before the official release, Apple announced that its white iPhone 4 would be delayed a month, because the devices had "proven more challenging to manufacture than expected." iPhone 4 was also the first Apple device with a high-resolution "Retina" display. Sales: Apple said it sold 1.7 million iPhone 4 devices in the three days following its launch.

  • Credit: apple

    Apple iPhone 4S - Say Hello to 'Siri' Announced: Oct. 4, 2011 Released: Oct. 14, 2011 Notable Specs: Apple's dual-core A5 processor; 8MP camera with 1080p video recording, and world phone with GSM, HSPA and CDMA radios. Notable iPhone 4S fact: iOS 5 launched along with the iPhone 4S, bringing the first iCloud service to iOS users. Voice-controlled virtual assistant "Siri" also made her debut on the iPhone 4S. Sales: Apple said it sold 4 million iPhone 4S devices in the three days following its launch.

  • Apple iPhone 5 - The First 'Retina' Display Announced: Sept. 12, 2012 Released: Sept. 21, 2012 in the United States Notable specs: 5-inch "Retina" display; Apple A6 processor; 4G LTE support; 8MP camera, and new, proprietary Apple "Lightning" port. Notable iPhone 5 fact: The iPhone 5 was the first iPhone with a display larger than 3.5 inches. Sales: Apple said it sold 5 million iPhone 5 devices in the three days following its launch.

  • Apple iPhone 5S - TouchID with the Swipe of a Finger Announced: Sept. 10, 2013 Release: Sept. 20, 2013 (expected) Notable specs: Apple A7 chip with 64-bit processor core; TouchID fingerprint sensor, and support for wide array of 4G LTE bands.

  • Apple iPhone 5C - iPhone Gets a Color Bath Announced: Sept. 10, 2013 Release: Sept. 20, 2013 (expected) Notable Specs: Colorful casing with internal frame made of reinforced steel; Apple A6 processor, and support for wide array of 4G LTE bands.

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