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Key UK Milestones & Timeline
- 2007 (The Original / 2G): Debuted in November on O2 with EDGE connectivity (no 3G) and unlimited data tariffs (£35–£55/month).
- 2008 (iPhone 3G): Released in July with faster 3G speeds and the launch of the App Store, opening network exclusivity up slightly over time.
- 2010 (iPhone 4): Brought the iconic glass-and-steel redesign and Retina display, launching alongside FaceTime.
- 2012–2013 (iPhone 5 & 5s): Introduced the taller 4-inch screen, LTE support, the Lightning connector, and Touch ID fingerprint security.
- 2014–2016 (iPhone 6 to 7): Shifted to larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays (iPhone 6/6 Plus) and later dropped the headphone jack with the water-resistant iPhone 7.
- 2017–2020 (iPhone X & 12): Replaced the Home button with Face ID on the iPhone X (2017) and introduced 5G connectivity with the iPhone 12 series (2020).
- 2023–2026 (iPhone 15 to 18): Transitioned completely to USB-C with the iPhone 15 range, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, and introduced advanced lineups featuring ultra-thin designs and foldable form factors.
The first iPhone could not run third party apps, could not copy and paste text, and could not record video. Less than twenty years later, Apple is preparing to sell a foldable iPhone with a 7.6 inch screen. This guide walks through every generation in order, explains why each one mattered, and shows what the pattern tells you if you are choosing a handset today.
Pro Tip:
When you look at an old iPhone for sale or for a business deployment, the launch year matters less than the last iOS version it supports. Check that first, because software support decides whether the phone stays secure and compatible with banking, ticketing and work apps. As things stand, iOS 27 is available on iPhone 11 and later, so anything older is already on borrowed time.
The Original iPhone in 2007
Steve Jobs announced the iPhone on 9 January 2007, and it went on sale in the United States on 29 June 2007. It had a 3.5 inch multitouch screen, a 2 megapixel camera, 2G EDGE data and either 4GB or 8GB of storage, priced at $499 and $599. There was no 3G, no App Store and no physical keyboard, which was radical when BlackBerry and Nokia dominated.
Jobs pitched it as three products in one: a widescreen iPod, a phone and an internet device. That framing makes sense once you know iPod launched in 2001 and had already trained millions of people to trust Apple with their music. UK customers waited until November 2007, when O2 became the exclusive network.
2008 to 2011: Apps, Video and Siri
The iPhone 3G arrived in July 2008 with faster data, GPS and, crucially, the App Store. Third party software turned the phone from a gadget into a platform.
The iPhone 3GS in 2009 added video recording, voice control and a compass. Copy and paste finally arrived through a software update that same year.
The iPhone 4 in June 2010 introduced the Retina display, a front camera for FaceTime and a stainless steel frame. It also gave us the “antennagate” controversy, when holding the phone a certain way could weaken signal.
The iPhone 4S in October 2011 brought Siri, an 8 megapixel camera and a dual core chip. It was the last iPhone launched under Steve Jobs, who passed away the following day.
2012 to 2016: Bigger Screens and Touch ID
The iPhone 5 in September 2012 stretched the screen to 4 inches, added LTE and replaced the wide 30 pin connector with the small Lightning port.
In 2013 the iPhone 5s introduced Touch ID and the A7, the first 64 bit chip in a smartphone. Its cheaper sibling, the colourful plastic iPhone 5c, sold well below expectations.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014 finally answered demand for bigger screens at 4.7 and 5.5 inches, and launched Apple Pay. The iPhone 6s in 2015 added 3D Touch and jumped the main camera to 12 megapixels. The iPhone SE followed in March 2016, packing flagship internals into the older 4 inch body.
The iPhone 7 in September 2016 added water resistance, replaced the mechanical home button with a solid state one and removed the headphone jack. The 7 Plus was the first iPhone with a dual camera.
2017 to 2019: Face ID and the Pro Era
The iPhone X arrived in November 2017 with a 5.8 inch OLED screen, no home button and Face ID. Every design since has followed its all screen layout. The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR in 2018 refined it.
In 2019 the iPhone 11 line added an ultra wide lens and Night mode, and the iPhone 11 Pro introduced the Pro name along with a triple camera system.
2020 to 2023: 5G, MagSafe and Dynamic Island
The iPhone 12 in October 2020 brought 5G, MagSafe magnets, Ceramic Shield glass and a flat edged design, plus the small iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 13 improved battery life and added Cinematic mode video.
The iPhone 14 Pro in 2022 replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, and the 14 range added crash detection and satellite emergency features. The iPhone 15 in 2023 swapped Lightning for USB C, and the 15 Pro added a titanium frame and the Action button.
2024 to 2026: Apple Intelligence, iPhone Air and the Duo
The iPhone 16 in 2024 added the Camera Control button and was built for Apple Intelligence. In September 2025 Apple launched the ultra thin iPhone Air alongside the iPhone 17 family. If you want the details of that generation, see iPhone 17 release date.
The latest chapter came on 9 September 2026. Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and its first foldable phone at an event that was the first product launch under new chief executive John Ternus, with both Pro sizes using the A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process. The iPhone 18 Pro went on sale on 18 September from $1,199 in the US, and it is Apple’s first iPhone with a mechanical variable aperture camera. For dates and expectations before the event, read our iPhone 18 Pro launch guide, and for display details see iPhone 18 screen size.
The bigger story is the iPhone Duo. Apple priced its first foldable from $1,999, with pre-orders opening on 16 October and stores stocking it from 23 October, and the opened screen measures 7.6 inches diagonally. The standard iPhone 18 was not part of the event, and it may not arrive until spring alongside an iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e.
Is iPhone History in the UK Different?
- The First-Generation Skip: The original iPhone (2007, often called the iPhone 2G) was only released in the United States and a few select countries initially. It never officially launched in the UK because it relied on the 2G EDGE network and an exclusive US contract with AT&T.
- The UK Debut: UK iPhone history truly began with the iPhone 3G in July 2008, which launched simultaneously across multiple countries tied to O2 in the UK.
- Regional Variations: Users on Quora agree that while core iOS and hardware are globally aligned, regional regulations cause differences. For instance, European and UK models comply with EU/UK charger and radio frequency directives, whereas recent US models went entirely eSIM-only, while UK models retained physical SIM support longer.
1. The O2 Monopoly Era (2007–2009)
- The Deal: To secure exclusivity, O2 agreed to a highly unusual term: sharing a percentage of its monthly contract and data revenues directly with Apple.
- The Launch: The original 2G iPhone launched on O2 on 9 November 2007.
- The Success: The gamble paid off phenomenally for O2. By 2009, they had attracted over 1 million iPhone users, with roughly two-thirds of early buyers being brand-new customers poached from rival networks.
- The Downside: O2 became a victim of its own success. The sheer volume of data consumed by iPhone users — who were browsing the “real” web rather than stripped-down mobile sites — severely congested O2’s network, causing high-profile data outages in major hubs like London.
2. The Floodgates Open (Late 2009–2010)
- Orange Strikes First: On 28 September 2009, Orange UK announced it had signed a deal with Apple to begin selling the iPhone 3G and 3GS. They officially launched the device in November 2009, marketing heavily on having the largest 3G data footprint in the UK at the time.
- Vodafone Responds Immediately: Less than 24 hours after Orange’s announcement, Vodafone revealed that they too had signed a deal with Apple. To avoid bleeding hundreds of thousands of customers to O2 and Orange, Vodafone rapidly deployed the iPhone 3G and 3GS to its customers in early 2010.
- Tesco Mobile & Others: Shortly after, MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like Tesco Mobile (which utilized O2’s infrastructure) also began stocking the device.
iPhone Generations at a Glance
| Year | Model | The change that mattered |
| 2007 | iPhone | Multitouch screen, no keyboard |
| 2008 | iPhone 3G | App Store and GPS |
| 2010 | iPhone 4 | Retina display, FaceTime |
| 2011 | iPhone 4S | Siri |
| 2013 | iPhone 5s | Touch ID, 64 bit chip |
| 2014 | iPhone 6 | Big screens, Apple Pay |
| 2016 | iPhone 7 | Water resistance, no headphone jack |
| 2017 | iPhone X | Face ID, OLED, no home button |
| 2020 | iPhone 12 | 5G, MagSafe |
| 2022 | iPhone 14 Pro | Dynamic Island |
| 2023 | iPhone 15 | USB C, titanium on Pro |
| 2026 | iPhone 18 Pro and Duo | A20 Pro, variable aperture, foldable |
What the Timeline Tells You Before You Buy
Three patterns stand out. Screens grew from 3.5 inches to a 7.6 inch folding display. Starting prices climbed from $499 for a 4GB original to $1,199 for a 256GB iPhone 18 Pro. And the chips inside iPhones increasingly power iPads and Macs too, which is why the iPad Pro versus iPad Air choice now depends so much on which iPhone class chip sits inside.
If you are keeping an older handset, two jobs matter most. A full phone is the first thing to fix, so learn to clear iPhone storage fast. If you are passing a phone on or selling it, know how to do a factory reset without password. Switching from Android is easier than people think, and this Android to iPhone photos guide covers the memories.
Businesses that need many current iPhones for a project rarely need to own them. Our guide to iPhone rental for businesses explains how teams get the latest model without the capital cost.
What Comes After the Duo
The next milestones are already scheduled: the Duo shipping on 23 October, the standard iPhone 18 reportedly following in spring, and another round of A series chips after that. If the past nineteen years are any guide, whatever Apple ships next will feel unusual for about a year and ordinary for the ten after it. That is the real history of the iPhone: strange ideas that become the default.
How the iPhone Changed Everything Around It
The iPhone did not only change phones. It made pocket WiFi a daily habit, which is why the complete history of WiFi and the iPhone rose together. It turned every handset into a camera, a wallet and a remote control. It even changed how offices print: in 2010 Apple added AirPrint, a shift we cover in how printing went wireless. And it reshaped events, where phones now act as tickets, cameras and second screens, a role explained in what is audio visual. Laptops followed their own path, worth reading in our laptop history from 1981 timeline.
For businesses, events or temporary projects, following every new iPhone generation does not necessarily mean buying new devices each year. If a team needs several iPhones for testing, event apps, content capture or short-term staff use, Hire Tablets can supply the required models for the agreed rental period. This gives businesses access to suitable devices for the job without adding phones to a permanent fleet once the project is finished.
Rent Tech Devices for Business Events and Professional Use
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When was the first iPhone released?
The first iPhone release date was 29 June 2007 in the United States after Steve Jobs introduced the device in January that year. It combined a mobile phone, widescreen iPod and internet device around a 3.5-inch touchscreen.
2. What are the main iPhone generations in order?
The iPhone timeline began with the original iPhone, followed by the iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S, 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, iPhone X generation and later numbered families. Apple has continued introducing new designs, chips, cameras and display technologies across subsequent generations.
3. How has the iPhone changed since 2007?
Early iPhones lacked features now considered standard, including third-party apps, video recording and copy and paste. Later generations introduced the App Store, Siri, Touch ID, Face ID, 5G, MagSafe, USB-C, advanced cameras and increasingly powerful Apple-designed chips.
4. Why is iPhone launch year important when choosing an older model?
The launch year helps indicate how old the hardware is, but software support is usually more important. Before buying or deploying an older iPhone, check which iOS versions it supports and whether the apps you need still work securely on that model.
5. Is it better for a business to buy or hire several iPhones?
Buying can make sense when phones will be used continuously by permanent staff. For exhibitions, app testing, short campaigns, temporary teams or other limited projects, hiring can avoid purchasing devices that may not be needed afterwards. The right option depends on how many phones are required and how long they will be used.
