5 significant iPhones that changed the trajectory of iPhone design and features

iPhones have always been the cream of the cream in the smartphone industry. Ask any tech enthusiasts, which is the one phone that changed the course of the smartphone industry forever, and you are likely to hear a unanimous “iPhone” from the majority. While it was not the first smartphone in the world, it was the first “modern” one, which set the course for those we know today.

From putting the internet in our pockets and shaping social media to making a photographer out of every user, the first smartphone from Apple was quite revolutionary. The company is known for launching iterative models year after year, and that’s perfectly alright, as you shouldn’t break what works.

But now and then, Apple dials the innovative meter to the max and launches an iteration that sets the course for future iPhones.

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iPhones that changed history

In 2007, when Steve Jobs said, “Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything,” he couldn’t be farther from the truth. From the original model that put the internet in everyone’s pocket to the most popular Apple devices today, the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, they have been pushing the envelope.

Here are five significant iPhone launches that changed the course for iPhones.

1) iPhone (2007)

In 2007, Steve Jobs introduced it as a singular device comprising an iPod, a revolutionary mobile phone, and an internet communicator. You have to understand this was a pretty big deal back in 2007 to have an aluminum-clad all-screen device that played music in the best quality, offered web browsing and social media, a class-leading camera, and a lot more.

In an era of forked OS and still a work-in-progress Android, the iPhone with its iOS interface was indeed a revolutionary device, one that will serve as a blueprint for all future devices.

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2) iPhone 5 (2012)

This was the last of Steve Jobs' legacy. (Image via Apple)

This was the last of Steve Jobs’s legacy and will resonate with every Apple fan. The device put Apple at the top of its game.

From the sharp and thin industrial design and a large display to a refined app ecosystem and LTE support, the 5 was one of the best from Apple’s stable. It was the design the company brought back with its iPhone 12 series featuring flatter sides.

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3) iPhone X (2017)

This introduced the design that Apple fans are in love with today. (Image via Apple)

This was Apple’s long-due re-invention when it came to a design overhaul. Granted, that massive display notch provided meme material for days, especially for Samsung, but it gave us the full-frame OLED screen and the FaceID that Apple fans have come to love.

Additionally, this model brought gestural navigation that changed how everyone used iPhone. Also, little things like Animoji and a full glass structure with a stainless steel frame made a world of difference. And get this, it will still get the iOS 17 update.

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4) 12 Mini (2020)

The 12 Mini was the first compact model from the brand. (Image via Apple)

Fans had been demanding for a long time, and Apple listened. The 12 Mini was the first compact model from the Cupertino-based tech giant.

It had the same performance chops as its more expensive siblings - 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max but in a much smaller footprint. No wonder the 12 Mini was one of the top 10 best-selling sm smartphones globally in the first month of 2021.

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5) 14 Pro series (2022)

The 14 Pro series is the latest and greatest from the company. (Image via Apple)

The 14 Pro series was the first major design overhaul in years. Apple ditched its trusted wide display notch with the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max in favor of Dynamic Island. For the uninitiated, Dynamic Island is an interactive pill-shaped cutout on top of the display. It’s not only smaller than the notch but is also an interactive, shape-changing hub for notifications.

As the name suggests, it can shift shape and size to display app alerts and notifications. Such was the response to the Dynamic Island that rumors suggest Apple might replace the notch with the island in all four models of the upcoming 15 series.

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There have been a few more, like the SE model and 5C, which were Apple’s attempt to provide affordable options for its fans. However, they were not quite affordable per se and not as significant as the ones listed in this article. Which one of these is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section.