How Apple’s iPhone Design Philosophy Has Evolved Over Two Decades

The iPhone’s journey since its launch in 2007 is remarkable, reshaping not only Apple but the smartphone landscape itself. Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone with a revolutionary all-touchscreen design, doing away with the physical keyboard common at the time. This set the foundation for today’s smartphones that have become an inseparable part of our lives.

Apple’s design philosophy for the iPhone has always balanced innovation with simplicity, which has been evident over the years, from the iPhone 4’s iconic glass-and-steel look to the iPhone X’s edge-to-edge OLED display and Face ID. Each generation since has seen Apple refining this balance, with incremental design and feature upgrades leading up to today’s iPhone 16 series.

In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of the iPhone’s design—from the early minimalistic approach to the highly refined models today—and why it remains one of the best smartphone designs that even the competitors took inspiration from. Let’s dive in.

The Original iPhone (2007)

The original iPhone, launched in 2007, introduced a sleek, minimalist design that was groundbreaking for its time. Unlike most phones then, which relied on physical keyboards and small screens, the iPhone featured a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a single home button, which looked futuristic.

Its aluminum and black plastic build felt premium and set it apart from the chunkier, plastic-heavy designs of competitors like BlackBerry and Nokia. However, the first iPhone had its share of limitations: it lacked 3G connectivity and didn’t support third-party apps initially. 

It also had a modest 2 MP camera and no video recording. These shortcomings, and also the missing physical keyboard, made many experts think that the iPhone would fail. Fast forward to 2024, the iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the world.

iPhone 3G (2008)

The iPhone 3G was a major design upgrade from the original, swapping the aluminum body for a more affordable and cheaper, curved plastic back. It was lighter and easier to hold, but this plastic design made it more susceptible to scratches and cracks—definitely a step back in durability. 

At $199 for the 8 GB model with a two-year contract, it became more accessible, especially compared to the pricier original iPhone which was $499. The iPhone 3G also introduced the App Store, opening up a whole new world of apps. 

Key features included faster 3G connectivity, GPS, and better email, but the 2 MP camera still couldn’t record video, and the battery drained quickly when using 3G. 

iPhone 3GS (2009)

The iPhone 3GS, released in 2009, took the iPhone 3G’s design and refined it further with a focus on performance improvements. The ‘S’ in the 3GS stood for speed. It could do browsing and texting multiple times faster than the iPhone 3G, thanks to a new Samsung ARM chip.

The 3GS also introduced an oleophobic-coated glass screen that reduced fingerprints and scratches. The iPhone 3GS was priced similarly to the 3G, with the 16 GB model available for $199 on contract. 

It brought important new features, including video recording and voice control, as well as a 3 MP camera with autofocus, improving on the previous 2 MP sensor. However, while the design was sleek, the plastic back still felt a bit less premium than some of its competitors. 

iPhone 4 (2010)

The iPhone 4, released in 2010, marked a bold new direction in both design and technology. Apple introduced a more refined, premium look with a glass front and back, sandwiched between a stainless steel frame that also served as the antenna. It was priced at $199 for the 16 GB model with a two-year contract.

This new design was sharp, sleek, and felt significantly more high-end compared to the plastic bodies of previous models. The 3.5-inch display was upgraded to a Retina display, offering a much higher pixel density, making text and images appear incredibly sharp. 

This was also the first time Apple introduced a selfie camera, gyroscope, LED flash, and used its in-house Apple A4 SoC. However, there was one problem with the iPhone 4—the infamous “antennagate” issue, where holding the phone in certain ways would impact signal strength.

Despite that, the iPhone 4 was a major leap forward, with FaceTime video calling, a 5 MP camera with LED flash, and the first real multitasking experience on iOS. Apple also went on to bring back the flat sides of the iPhone 4 with the iPhone 12. 

iPhone 4s (2011)

At $199 for the 16 GB model with a two-year contract, the iPhone 4s was priced similarly to the iPhone 4 but packed in several upgrades. The standout feature was Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, which introduced a new way to interact with the phone. 

The 8 MP camera also marked a significant leap in camera quality, offering 1080p video recording as well as improved low-light performance. The iPhone 4s was powered by the A5 chip, making it noticeably faster than its predecessor. 

While the design didn’t change much, the 4s fixed the antennagate issue and also introduced a SIM card slot. The display size remained mostly the same and so did the selfie camera and other features.

iPhone 5 (2012)

The iPhone 5, released in 2012, took the design game up a notch with a taller, slimmer body. It bumped the screen size to 4 inches. The aluminum back made it lighter and more durable, though it could scratch easily. 

At $199 for the 16 GB model with a contract, it was a solid deal for a premium phone. The iPhone 5 also introduced the new Lightning connector, ditching the old 30-pin for something more sleek and future-proof. USB-C wasn’t available at the time so Apple had to go with Lightning.

4G LTE support made browsing and streaming faster, and the 8 MP camera improved in low-light conditions. While the design was mostly a hit, some found the aluminum back a bit too slippery, and the 4-inch was still smaller than the Android competitors. 

iPhone 5S and 5C (2013)

The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, both released in 2013, took two very different approaches to design while building on the iPhone 5’s foundation. The iPhone 5S kept the premium, sleek aluminum build, but with new features like a fingerprint sensor (Touch ID) integrated into the home button, making it one of the most secure smartphones of its time. 

It also introduced the A7 chip, the first 64-bit processor in a smartphone, which made the device faster and more future-proof. It was offered at $199 for the 16 GB model on contract. The 5S felt high-end with its polished finish and Touch ID, but its design didn’t differ much from the iPhone 5, which left some wondering if it was time for a more noticeable refresh.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 5C took a more playful and affordable approach, with a colorful plastic body in shades like green, blue, yellow, and pink. It had the same specs as the iPhone 5, including the 4-inch screen and 8 MP camera, but at a lower starting price of $99 with a two-year contract. 

While the 5C’s plastic build was more durable and less prone to scratching than the aluminum 5S, it felt less premium and was often seen as the budget option in the iPhone lineup. The iPhone 5C didn’t sell that well and Apple eventually discontinued the “C” iPhone altogether.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2014)

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, released in 2014, marked a major shift in both design and size for Apple. For the first time, Apple embraced larger screens, with the iPhone 6 featuring a 4.7-inch display and the 6 Plus boasting a 5.5-inch screen, both of which were noticeably bigger than previous models. 

The design was sleeker, with rounded edges and a thinner profile, making the devices feel more modern and ergonomic. The aluminum unibody construction gave them a premium feel, though the iPhone 6’s thinness led to some bending issues, infamously known as “Bendgate.” 

Priced at $199 for the 16 GB model (iPhone 6) and $299 for the 16 GB iPhone 6 Plus, both models were positioned as mid- to high-range devices, with the Plus model offering OIS and a better battery life due to its larger size.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were also the first to feature Apple Pay, so users could make payments through NFC. The selfie camera was 1.2 MP and the rear side came with an 8 MP camera with improved image processing. 

While the bigger screens were well-received, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were criticized for lacking true innovation in design compared to previous models, as the larger screens were really only the standout change. The “Bendgate” was what the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus became infamous for.

iPhone 6s and 6s Plus (2015)

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, released in 2015, refined the design of their predecessors while introducing a host of new features. They retained the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but with a stronger 7000-series aluminum body to address the bending issues of the previous generation. 

The design still kept the sleek, rounded edges and premium feel, but with improved durability. At $199 for the 16 GB iPhone 6s and $299 for the 16 GB iPhone 6s Plus with a contract, the pricing remained pretty much the same.

The standout feature was 3D Touch, it introduced pressure sensitivity to the display, allowing for new ways to interact with apps. The iPhone 6s series also featured a 12 MP rear camera with 4K video recording. The front camera also received a boost to 5 MP for better selfies. 

Powered by the A9 chip, the iPhone 6s series delivered faster performance and improved battery efficiency. Despite these impressive upgrades, the design was largely unchanged from the iPhone 6, which some critics felt made it less exciting. 

3D Touch was a very controversial feature, with many critics calling the feature “totally useless.” However, some developers found a way to use the feature as a weighing scale. Even today, if you have an iPhone with 3D Touch (6s to Xs/Xs Max), you can go to this website and weigh objects.

iPhone SE (2016)

Apple wanted to capture the budget segment with the iPhone 5C but that was a huge failure due to few mistakes like using an inferior build. With the iPhone SE, Apple fixed this and packed the power of the iPhone 6s into the compact, 4-inch body of the iPhone 5s. This throwback design appealed to users who preferred a smaller phone but still wanted the performance of newer models. 

Priced starting at $399 for the 16 GB version, the SE was a more affordable option without compromising on performance. It featured the same A9 chip as the iPhone 6s and the 12 MP rear camera. Though the SE packed impressive internal features, its design was seen as somewhat outdated due to the chunky bezels and small display by 2016 standards. 

The decision to keep the iPhone 5s design meant that the SE lacked newer features like 3D Touch or the larger screen size that had become popular with the iPhone 6 series. Nevertheless, the iPhone SE was a hit with users who wanted a no-frills, powerful phone at a lower price point, making it the most well-received and popular budget iPhones Apple had ever released.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus (2016)

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, released in 2016, was notable evolution in design while keeping the core aesthetic of the iPhone 6 series. Both models featured a more refined aluminum body, now in new color options like Jet Black and Matte Black, which gave the phones a sleek, premium look. 

The iPhone 7 kept the 4.7-inch display, while the 7 Plus came with a dual-camera setup—a first for the iPhone lineup—including a 12 MP wide-angle and a telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom. The pricing started at $649 for the 32 GB iPhone 7 and $769 for the 32 GB 7 Plus.

One of the most controversial design changes was the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, forcing users to rely on wireless audio or the included Lightning adapter. While the decision was bold and forward-thinking for some, it upset others who valued the headphone jack’s and also the audio quality.

The iPhone 7 series also introduced water resistance (IP67), improved stereo speakers, and a faster A10 Fusion chip, which boosted performance and battery life. The 7 Plus also came with a larger 5.5-inch screen. 

iPhone 8, 8 Plus, & iPhone X (2017)

The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, released in 2017, were Apple’s least innovative and the most innovative smartphones, respectively. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus followed a more traditional approach, keeping the glass front and back design introduced with the iPhone 4 but with an upgraded aluminum frame. 

The 8 series featured wireless charging, an A11 Bionic chip for better performance, and improved cameras. The iPhone 8 was priced starting at $699 for the 64 GB model, while the 8 Plus was priced starting at $799, targeting the premium market. It was basically the same as the iPhone 7 with minor improvements and a higher price tag.

The real showstopper, however, was the iPhone X, which was a radical departure from the design of its predecessors with a huge forehead and chin. At $999 for the 64 GB model, the iPhone X introduced an OLED display that stretched from edge to edge, giving it a futuristic and premium feel. 

The home button was completely removed in favor of gesture-based navigation, and Face ID was introduced as the new form of biometric authentication, replacing Touch ID. The iPhone X also featured a 12 MP dual-camera system, improved depth, and a larger 5.8-inch screen that took full advantage of the edge-to-edge design. 

Despite some early concerns about the notch at the top of the display, the iPhone X’s design was groundbreaking and set the stage for future iPhones. This gesture-based navigation design is still used till date and has become the go-to navigation for even Android devices, not just iPhones.

iPhone XS, XS Max & XR (2018)

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, released in 2018, were all about refinement. The XS came with a 5.8-inch OLED display, while the XS Max featured a larger 6.5-inch OLED screen (larger than ever on an iPhone at the time), both boasting vibrant colors and True Tone technology. 

They were powered by an upgraded A12 Bionic chip and had improved Face ID and a dual-camera system with Smart HDR for better photography. The XS started at $999 but the XS Max started at $1,099, making it the most expensive iPhone ever. 

Both were premium models with a sleek stainless steel frame and a glass back for wireless charging.

Meanwhile, the iPhone XR, at a lower price starting at $749, offered a similar performance experience with the A12 chip but with an LCD display, a single rear camera, and six color options. 

The XR was in high demand as a budget-friendly option, giving users a larger 6.1-inch screen and many of the same core features as the XS and XS Max at a significantly lower price. The iPhone XR was the best selling iPhone of 2019 with over 46 million units sold since its release.

iPhone 11, 11 Pro & Pro Max (2019)

The iPhone 11 series, released in 2019, further expanded on Apple’s premium lineup. The iPhone 11, priced from $699, was a top-seller due to its balance of performance and price. It featured a dual-camera system, a Night Mode for low-light photography, and the A13 Bionic chip, which was one of the most powerful at the time. 

The iPhone 11 was essentially the successor to the iPhone XR but at a $50 lower price tag and some significant upgrades such as the dual camera system with ultra-wide. The device went on selling 160 million units globally by the end of March 2022. 

The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, priced starting at $999 and $1,099 respectively, introduced a triple-camera setup with more versatility, including an ultra-wide lens. They also featured OLED Super Retina XDR displays, making content sharper and more vibrant. 

The Pro models focused heavily on camera improvements and battery life, with the Max offering a larger screen and more battery capacity. The iPhone 11 series was all about photography and processing power. The iPhone 11 series was also the last non-SE iPhone with a curved frame.

iPhone SE (2nd Gen, 2020)

The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) in 2020 brought back the compact, 4.7-inch design of the iPhone 8 but with the internals of the iPhone 11, including the A13 Bionic chip. Priced starting at $399, it was positioned as an affordable powerhouse. 

It had a single 12 MP rear camera with Portrait Mode and Smart HDR, while still retaining the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The SE (2nd Gen) catered to users who wanted the latest iPhone performance without paying for a larger, more expensive model. However, it was criticized for its dated design and poor battery life.

iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max (2020)

The iPhone 12 series, released in 2020, marked a bold new direction for Apple with the introduction of 5G across all models and a design overhaul that brought back flat edges, reminiscent of the iPhone 4. The lineup included the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Another highlight of these iPhones was MagSafe.

iPhone 12 mini: The iPhone 12 mini was a compact powerhouse, with a 5.4-inch OLED display, priced starting at $699. It delivers flagship performance with the A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, and the same dual-camera system as the iPhone 12, but in a smaller form factor. However, this model was not a huge success and Apple would continue to replace this with the “Plus” model a year later.

iPhone 12: The iPhone 12, starting at $799, had a 6.1-inch OLED display, the A14 Bionic chip, and a dual-camera system with Night Mode and Deep Fusion for improved low-light photography. It had a flat-edged design and Ceramic Shield on the front, alongside 5G connectivity. It quickly became one of the most popular iPhones in the series.

iPhone 12 Pro: The iPhone 12 Pro, priced starting at $999, came with a triple-camera setup, including an ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lens. It also introduced Dolby Vision HDR video recording and added a LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences and better low-light autofocus. The iPhone 12 Pro had a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display and was made with premium materials, including a stainless steel frame, giving it a more polished, luxury feel compared to the 12.

iPhone 12 Pro Max: The iPhone 12 Pro Max, starting at $1,099, was the flagship model of the series, with a larger 6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display. It featured improved camera capabilities, including better low-light performance and 2.5x optical zoom vs. the 2x on the 12 Pro. The Pro Max also had a larger battery and 5G support.

iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max (2021)

The iPhone 13 series, launched in 2021, built on the design language established by the iPhone 12 but refined it further with improvements in size, performance, and cameras. The lineup, consisting of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, continued the trend of flat-edged designs with Ceramic Shield on the front and more durable glass on the back.

iPhone 13 mini: The iPhone 13 mini retained the compact 5.4-inch size but now featured a smaller notch at the front. The design was similar to the iPhone 12 mini, with an aluminum frame and a glossy back. The cameras were now arranged diagnally and the chip was upgraded to the A15 Bionic. It also featured the same main camera as the iPhone 12 Pro. 

iPhone 13: The iPhone 13, starting at $799, kept the 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display and the same Ceramic Shield front cover, improving durability. The smaller notch and slimmer profile made the 13 look sleeker, while the new diagonal camera layout on the back was also a noticeable change. It had an improved battery life, a brighter display, and the A15 Bionic chip.

iPhone 13 Pro: The iPhone 13 Pro, priced from $999, featured the same flat-edged design. However, it introduced ProMotion with a 120Hz refresh rate, which made the display incredibly smooth, especially for gaming and scrolling. Still, some reports suggest that Apple has been capping the refresh rate to 80 Hz when scrolling, to this day.

The triple-camera system received major upgrades, including better low-light performance and a new macro photography mode. The Pro models had the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU.

iPhone 13 Pro Max: The iPhone 13 Pro Max, starting at $1,099, was the flagship of the series, sporting a larger 6.7-inch OLED display, improved battery life, and the same advanced camera system as the 13 Pro. In fact, it included all the features of the 13 Pro, but with an even larger battery. 

The iPhone 13 mini, despite its flagship specs like the A15 chip and a compact 5.4-inch OLED display, didn’t sell well. Small phones just weren’t in high demand, and many users preferred larger screens. So, the next year, Apple discontinued the mini model and replaced it with the new Plus model that offered all the vanilla models specs with a larger screen.

iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max (2022)

The iPhone 14 series, launched in 2022, did not bring any major design changes except for the Dynamic Island on the Pro models. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus followed the previous year’s design but replaced the mini model with the larger 6.7-inch 14 Plus. Both had improved battery life and the A15 Bionic chip, though they lacked major design changes or any camera upgrades compared to their predecessors.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were the stars of the series, featuring the new Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped cutout that replaced the notch, creating a more interactive display. These models also introduced a 48MP main camera for sharper photos and videos, along with the A16 Bionic chip.

iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max (2023)

The iPhone 15 series, launched in 2023, continued Apple’s design evolution but not by a huge margin. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus maintained the familiar iPhone 13 design but featured Dynamic Island and a 48MP main camera, alongside the A16 Bionic chip. However, by far, the most notable design change was the switch to USB-C on all the iPhone 15 models.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max introduced the new A17 Pro chip with 8 GB RAM, making them the most powerful iPhones yet. The 15 Pro and Pro Max also featured a new titanium frame, action button, spatial video, improved cameras, including a new 5x telephoto lens on the Pro Max. 

iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max (2024)

The iPhone 16 series brought very minor upgrades across the lineup. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus featured a return to the vertical camera layout for Spatial Video and introduced Camera Control, Apple Intelligence, and the Action Button. While the cameras stayed mostly the same, the ultra-wide lens was upgraded to match the iPhone 15 Pro’s, and the A18 chip along with 8 GB of RAM enabled Apple Intelligence.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max also got the Camera Control, while retaining the Action Button from the 15 Pro. These models also came with Apple Intelligence, 4 studio-quality microphones, and the ability to shoot 4K 120fps Dolby Vision video.

The camera setup now featured a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and 16 Pro also got the 5x telephoto lens. The design remained mostly unchanged, except for thinner display borders. 

The Evolution of iPhone Design 

The iPhone has undergone a significant transformation since its debut in 2007, reshaping not only Apple’s future but also the entire smartphone industry. The original iPhone set the tone with its minimalist design and iconic touchscreen, dismissing the physical keyboard of the time. 

As the iPhone’s success grew, so did its design, with major updates like the iPhone 4’s glass-and-steel construction and the iPhone X’s edge-to-edge OLED display. Over the years, Apple’s focus shifted from radical design changes to refining its signature style. 

Fast forward to the latest models, including the iPhone 16 series, and Apple has settled into a more consistent design language. The flat-edged design, introduced with the iPhone 12, has continued to dominate the lineup, with incremental changes like slimmer profiles, different camera layouts, and thinner display borders.

One thing Apple has always paid attention to is the small details. The symmetry, corner radii, and the finish are always crafted to perfection, be it an iPhone today or one from a decade ago. Even the software design follows this approach with mesmerizing animations sprinkled everywhere.

How Apple’s Design Inspired Others

Apple has undeniably shaped the design landscape in the tech industry, with many brands borrowing its aesthetic ideas. One of the more notable influences is the return of flat sides with the iPhone 12. This design choice quickly spread, with even brands like Google and Samsung adopting similar flat-edge profiles for their devices. 

Apple’s choice of materials also set new standards. The iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium body has already inspired brands like Xiaomi and Samsung. Not just this decade, we’ve seen brands taking inspiration from Apple’s book way back in the iPhone 6s era.

The influence extends into software design as well. Many Android interfaces, including HyperOS, ColorOS, and OxygenOS, now look very similar to iOS. Thus, Apple’s Dynamic Island, introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, has seen similar concepts implemented in various Android skins.

Apple’s dedicated Camera Control button is now mirrored in devices from brands like OPPO. Though Sony had a similar button for decades now, other brands didn’t start copying until Apple introduced it on their devices.

It is no mystery that Apple’s design decisions continue to influence other brands. And it’s not just the iPhone, MacBooks, AirPods, and Apple Watches, also continue to inspire other smartphone and AIoT brands.

What’s Next for the iPhone?

Apple is rumored to bring a new iPhone Slim model with the iPhone 17 series, likely to be more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Details are scarce, but the Cupertino giant is indeed cooking something. 

Additionally, the upcoming iPhone SE is expected to use the iPhone 14’s design with a single camera and the Apple A18 chip for Apple Intelligence. This follows Apple’s usual iPhone SE recipe, where they offer the latest internals in an older iPhone body.

With the evolution of iPhone design shifting from constant innovation to a more settled approach, it will be interesting to see if Apple’s next major redesign lives up to the high expectations. Do you think Apple should continue refining its current design, or do you want to see a more radical change in future iPhones? Let us know your thoughts.

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