Screen and Resolution
Of course, the iPhone has undergone a few design changes over the years. The original version all the way up to 2011’s iPhone 4s sported a 3.5 inch screen. The original iPhone’s pixel resolution, however, was not exactly what you would call “high resolution,” as it only encompassed 165 pixels per inch in density and had a 480 by 320 pixel resolution. The iPhone 3G and 3Gs followed suit with the exact same screen resolution.
It wasn’t until 2010’s iPhone 4 that things changed for the smartphone’s screen. Apple incorporated a brand new Retina display in the device, which included a 960 by 640 screen resolution that equated to a 330 pixel per inch density. Users could definitely tell the difference in comparison to the earlier generations of the iPhone.
Then, the iPhone 5 of 2012 saw a notable difference in terms of screen size. Apple seemingly listened to its fans and released a phone that had a full four-inch screen. This also meant tweaking the resolution to accommodate the Retina display, resulting in 1136 by 640 pixels and a 326 pixel per inch screen density. The iPhone 5s and colorful plastic-backed 5c that came a year later received the same exact screen resolution. The iPhone SE, which is essentially the iPhone 6s inside of an iPhone 5s’ body, also shares that screen resolution.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, released in September 2014, proved to be game changers. Apple realized that people wanted still larger screens on their smartphones, and as a result, the iPhone 6 came with a 4.7-inch screen, while the phablet sized iPhone 6 Plus boasted a 5.5 inch display. Resolution on the 6 was 1334 by 750 pixels and 326 pixels per inch, and this has remained on the subsequent iPhone 6s and iPhone 7. In the 6 Plus, 6s Plus and 7 Plus, there is a 401 pixel per inch density that comes to a 1920 by 1080 pixel resolution.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity has long been a concern for iPhone users, since the phones lack micro SD support. The original iPhone was available with only 4GB, 8GB and 16GB of storage, a huge difference compared to the current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus options of 32GB, 128GB and 256GB. No longer do users have to scramble to remove content from their devices, as Apple realizes that people need more space for photos, video, music and apps.
Naturally, storage changed considerably in iPhones over the years in between the original and current 7 models. With the iPhone 3G, Apple did away with the 4GB option and offered users 8GB or 16GB, and the 3Gs went a step further and included a 32GB option as well, as did the iPhone 4.
Once the iPhone 4s was released in 2011, users had a choice of those storage capacities as well as 64GB. A year later, when the iPhone 5 came, the company ceased production of the larger storage options and released an 8GB iPhone 4s. The 5 was available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, as was the iPhone 5s in 2013. However, the iPhone 5c was only available with choices of 16GB or 32GB, and like the iPhone 4s, it only came new with 8GB of storage the year after its release.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and iPhone 6s and 6s Plus remained steady where storage was concerned. Apple offered them in 16GB, 64GB and 128GB. Some customers took issue with the company continuing to release 16GB, especially due to iOS taking up a few gigs of space. It rectified that concern when it released the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and now offers last year’s iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in 32GB and 128GB options.
Battery Life
The battery life of the iPhone has changed in a remarkable way over the years. Where the original version only gave users eight hours of talk time, up to 24 hours of music playback and 250 hours of standby time, today’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus provide up to 14 hours and 21 hours of talk time, respectively. In fact, the iPhone 7 Plus should get you a whopping 384 hours of standby time.
Cameras
Perhaps the most noticeable difference from iPhone to iPhone over the years is the camera. The original version had only a single rear camera that was 2 megapixels. The new iPhone 7 has a 12-megapixel camera with image stabilization and autofocus, while the 7 Plus has the most impressive shooter of all, a 12 megapixel dual camera with phase detection autofocus. The 7 and 7 Plus take exceptional low-light images, and both have the best front cameras to date at 7 megapixels.
Guest article written by: Jack Turner, the author of this post, is a blogger and part time drummer from London, England. He’s also a big heavy metal fan and a occasional sailor. His latest project is a product review website where he tries to keep up with new product launches.
Wow, that is a big difference in the camera. Great look into how the camera has changed as a whole over the years. Thanks for sharing!
Now i really know about the specification and function of the i phone. this post is really good thank you for sharing
I am totally amazed on how our technology evolved through the years. And iphone is one of them. The camera features has great changes so far compared to the first iphome, iphone 7 camera features is really extraordinary. The quality smartphones made by apple is really remarkable and thanks to the iconic man steve jobs himself. What do you think will be the next iphone model next year considering its their tenth anniversary this coming june?
wow too much changes in just 9 years can’t imagine what apple phones after another 10 years. but i always think about battery and charging development to keep up with massive power consuming changs.