The iPhone X was Apple’s 10th-anniversary product, removing the Home button and Touch ID sensor in favor of a new form of biometric security called Face ID, bringing the iPhone into the next decade.
iPhone X (November 2017)
Since Apple removed the Home button, the iPhone X became the first iPhone to feature a 5.8-inch full-screen design, introducing the notch that people would either love or hate for years to come. It was also the first iPhone to feature an OLED Super Retina display.
iPhone X is definitely a milestone in the history of the iPhone. For ten years, many people have been accustomed to iPhones with Home buttons, but the iPhone X completely changes this and brings a new iconic appearance.
iPhone XS/XS Max (September 2018)
On the iPhone XS and XS Max, Apple removed the Home button on the flagship model and named the model “Max” for the first time. Apple introduced larger screen sizes, with the iPhone XS Max equipped with a 6.5-inch display, becoming the largest iPhone at the time. The standard version of the iPhone XS maintained the 5.8-inch screen of the previous generation.
There are other improvements to the two phones, such as faster Face ID facial recognition, better water resistance (reaching IP68 rating), and support for dual SIM card functionality for the first time – either through a physical nano SIM card slot or using an eSIM. In addition, the iPhone XS and XS Max also support Gigabit LTE networks for faster download speeds, and the maximum storage capacity has been increased to 512GB.
The importance of the iPhone XS and XS Max is that they set a new standard for two sizes for future all-screen iPhones. The XS Max, in particular, is the first large-screen iPhone to be named “Max.”
iPhone XR (October 2018)
The iPhone XR is a more affordable phone that has launched alongside the iPhone XS and XS Max. It is positioned as a cheaper version of the XS and XS Max.
Although the iPhone XR has a larger screen than the iPhone XS at 6.1 inches, it uses a Liquid Retina LCD screen instead of the OLED screen on the flagship model. In addition, it has only one rear camera and a waterproof rating of IP67, slightly lower than the IP68 of the XS and XS Max. The iPhone XR is available in six colors and attracts consumers with limited budgets at a lower price.
The iPhone XR didn’t bring much innovation, but it was the first iPhone to feature a 6.1-inch screen, a size that later became one of the standard configurations for iPhones. Although it’s not a top-tier flagship, the price is reasonable, making the iPhone XR one of the most popular smartphones in 2019.
iPhone 11 series (September 2019)
The iPhone 11 series includes three phones: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. This is the first time that Apple has launched three iPhones with different positioning at the same time, namely the standard version, Pro version, and the larger Pro Max version.
In this update, Apple added an ultra-wide-angle lens to all models for the first time and introduced a new U1 chip that supports ultra-wideband technology.
The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, in particular, are the first iPhones to feature three rear cameras: main, ultra-wide, and telephoto. In addition, both phones have been upgraded to Super Retina XDR OLED screens and have improved battery life.
The iPhone 11 Pro series set a new standard for future iPhones. Although later models have made more improvements in the camera, even now, many iPhones still use the same triple-camera layout as the iPhone 11 Pro.
iPhone SE 2 (April 2020)
Apple unexpectedly launched the second-generation iPhone SE in 2020, four years after the release of the first-generation SE. Although the new SE is not as compact as the first generation, it still attracts many users who like small-screen mobile phones, and the hardware configuration is not bad.
The iPhone SE 2 has the same exterior design as the iPhone 8 but is equipped with the latest A13 chip at the time. It retains a 4.7-inch screen and Home button and supports Touch ID fingerprint recognition.
Although it looks like the old iPhone 8, the iPhone SE 2 has more advanced features, such as portrait mode shooting with a single camera.
iPhone 12 series (October 2020)
The iPhone 12 series is the first time that Apple has launched four mobile phones of different sizes at once: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. In particular, the iPhone 12 mini is a very special small-screen phone with a 5.4-inch display, but it still retains a full-screen design.
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 both feature dual rear cameras, while the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max continue to use a triple-camera system. Apple also introduced Ceramic Shield technology, a special front glass coating that makes the screen more drop-resistant. The Pro version also adds a LiDAR sensor to enhance the augmented reality experience.
The iPhone 12 series is the first iPhone to support 5G. Apple also introduced MagSafe magnetic wireless charging technology, opening up a new accessory ecosystem. As 2G/EDGE networks are gradually phased out and 3G is slowly exiting the stage of history, 5G support becomes crucial because it coexists with 4G/LTE and will exist for a long time. MagSafe not only brings many creative accessories but also has an impact on the new Qi2 wireless charging standard.
The iPhone 12 series also has a change: it no longer comes with a charger, only a charging cable. This was controversial at the time. However, this practice was later imitated by many brands.
iPhone 13 series (September 2021)
The iPhone 13 series is very similar to the previous generation iPhone 12 in many ways, and also launched four models: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The main changes are new colors and smaller screen bangs.
Of course, the iPhone 13 series also has hardware updates, such as the A15 bionic chip, which greatly improves battery life. In addition, the movie video mode also debuted, which can add depth of field effects to videos and automatically adjust the focus according to the scene.
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are also the first iPhones to feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate ProMotion screen, setting a new standard for future Pro models. The higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother. While this change isn’t as dramatic as the introduction of the Retina display on the iPhone 4, the difference is still noticeable when you compare the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro side by side.
In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro is also the first iPhone to offer up to 1TB of storage space.
iPhone SE 3 (March 2022)
Apple launched a new iPhone SE in 2022, but it was not as amazing as when the second-generation SE was released. The phone still uses the body design of the iPhone 8 and retains the Home button with Touch ID. However, this time Apple equipped it with the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 series and added 5G support.
The rest of the iPhone SE 3 hasn’t changed much. It’s unclear whether there will be a fourth-generation iPhone SE, but many people would like to see an updated design as the iPhone 8’s look is already looking a bit dated.
iPhone 14 series (September 2022)
The iPhone 14 series continues to launch four models, but the mini version has been cancelled and replaced by a Plus model with the same size as the Pro Max. The reason for canceling the mini is that it has poor sales, and Apple believes that users are more interested in the large-screen Plus model.
The standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus mostly carry over the features of the iPhone 13, including the A15 Bionic chip. The biggest upgrades are on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. These two high-end models introduce the “Smart Island” design, replacing the notch that has been used since the iPhone X, and increase the main camera to 48 megapixels. In addition, they are the first iPhones to support always-on display.
The entire iPhone 14 series also adds car accident detection and satellite emergency rescue functions, which can save lives at critical moments. The iPhone 14 series is also the first iPhone to cancel the physical SIM card slot and use eSIM.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max play an important role in the future development direction of the iPhone. The “Smart Island” design may eventually be applied to all iPhone models, saying goodbye to bangs completely, and the 48-megapixel camera will become the new standard.
iPhone 15 series (September 2023)
The iPhone 15 series brings some major changes. Both the basic iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have upgraded to 48-megapixel cameras, and both adopt the “Smart Island” design and remove the bangs.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have even greater improvements, including a titanium frame instead of stainless steel, an A17 Pro chip, and a 5x telephoto lens on the Pro Max. Apple also removed the classic mute/ring switch and replaced it with a new action button, which is similar to the button on the Apple Watch Ultra, and users can customize the function as needed.
But the most notable change is that the entire iPhone 15 series has switched to a USB-C charging port, replacing the Lightning port that has been used since 2012.
Apple’s move away from its proprietary port in favor of the more universal USB-C is an important one that not only allows iPhone users to use more compatible accessories, but also opens up new possibilities.
In addition, the switch to titanium alloy will also have an impact on future iPhones and even competitors, as other manufacturers have also begun to adopt titanium alloy designs.
iPhone 16 series (September 2024)
The iPhone 16 series is a step up from the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still maintain screen sizes of 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, and the refresh rate is still 60Hz, but the outdoor peak brightness reaches 2000 nits.
The iPhone 16 series camera layout has also been redesigned, with a vertical pill-shaped module, a bit like a combination of the iPhone XS and iPhone 12. Apple also replaced the mute/ring switch with the action button that first appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro. In terms of internal configuration, the basic iPhone 16 is equipped with an A16 chip, which has improved performance.
The screen sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have increased slightly, to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches respectively. The smaller iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a better telephoto lens that supports 5x optical zoom, which is comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The ultra-wide-angle lens has also been upgraded to 48 million pixels, while the telephoto lens remains 12 million pixels.
The entire iPhone 16 series has a new camera control button. This physical button can be used to quickly launch the camera app and can also be used as a shutter button. It also supports touch detection and can adjust camera settings through sliding gestures. Third-party developers can also make their apps compatible with this button. With this new button, the iPhone 16 feels more like a professional camera when taking pictures. In addition, the iPhone 16 series supports Apple smartphones, but the experience is not complete at present. Therefore, this iPhone is regarded by the outside world as one of Apple’s most squeezed phones.