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The iPhone turns 15: a look at the past (and future) of one of the 21st century’s most influential devices

Business / analysis
The iPhone turns 15: a look at the past (and future) of one of the 21st century’s most influential devices
i
Shutterstock.

By Ismini Vasileiou & Paul Haskell-Dowland*

It is 15 years since Apple released what’s arguably its flagship device: the iPhone. A decade and a half later, there are few products that have managed to reach a similar level of brand recognition.

Announced to an eager audience in 2007, the iPhone has revolutionised how we communicate and even how we live day to day.

Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone on January 9 2007.

The large-screen revolution

The iPhone was released in the United States in June 2007, and in a further six countries in November.

From the launch of Mac computers in the 1970s to the iPod in 2001, Apple already knew how to engage with its audience – and how to encourage extraordinary levels of hype when launching a product.

Early reviews for the iPhone were almost universally glowing, applauding Apple’s attention to detail and style. The only problem flagged was network connectivity – and this was an issue with slow speeds on phone carrier networks, rather than the device itself.

Consumers’ appreciation of the iPhone’s style was no surprise. It was indicative of an emerging trend towards smartphones with large-format screens (but which still reflected the form of a phone). The Nokia N95 was another such example that hit the market the same year.

A Nokia N95 with its keypad closed.
The 2007 Nokia N95 had a slide-out keypad. Asim18/Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

The original iPhone offered wifi, supported 2G EDGE connectivity and had internet download speeds below 500Kbps (compared to multi Mbps speeds today).

It was also limited to 4GB or 8GB models. This might sound pitiful compared to the 1TB options available today, but it’s enough to hold hundreds of songs or videos and was revolutionary at the time.

The Apple assembly line

The iPhone 3G was rolled out across the globe in July 2008, with significantly improved data speeds and the addition of the Apple App Store. Even though it offered a mere 500 apps at launch, the app store marked a significant improvement in phone functionality.

And just as users started getting used to 3G, it was superseded by the 3GS about a year later.

This cycle of regularly pushing out new products was critical to Apple’s success. By releasing regular updates (either through whole product iterations, or more minor functionality improvements) Apple managed to secure an enthusiastic audience, eager for new releases each year.

A comparison of iPhone sizes from the iPhone 5S to the iPhone 12
iPhone sizes got noticeably larger from the iPhone 5S release to the iPhone 12. Tboa/Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Also, since older products would often be passed down within families, Apple’s product pipeline helped it establish a multi-generational user base. This pipeline continues to operate today.

New approaches to old ways

The iPhone family has delivered size, speed and storage improvements over its 15-year history. Some of its “new” features weren’t necessarily new to the market, but Apple excelled at delivering them in highly integrated ways that “just worked” (as founder Steve Jobs would say).

“It just works” – Steve Jobs (1955-2011).

In 2013, the iPhone 5S introduced touch ID, which allowed users to unlock their phones with a fingerprint. While this had first been introduced with the Fujitsu F505i back in 2003, Apple delivered a robust implementation of the feature. Of course, it wasn’t long before enterprising individuals learnt how to bypass the mechanism.

The iPhone 8, released in 2017, brought with it the face ID feature. This still had weaknesses, but was at least immune to being unlocked with a photo.

Beyond security, the iPhone series has also produced year-on-year improvements in camera technology. While the original model sported a paltry two-megapixel camera, later models featured multiple lenses, with resolution boosted to 12 megapixels – rivalling many digital cameras on the market.

Wireless charging was introduced with the iPhone 8 (although preceded by Samsung as early as 2011). And the bezel-less design of the iPhone X, released in 2017, built on features found in the Sharp Aquos S2 from the same year.

Controversy

Nonetheless, the iPhone has not been without problems. The introduction of the iPhone 7 in 2016 saw the removal of the standard 3.5mm headphone socket – and many weren’t happy.

While an adaptor was initially provided for customers to connect their regular headphones, it was only free for about two years. After that it had to be purchased. In 2016 there were indications of a spike in wireless headphone sales. Perhaps somewhat conveniently, Apple launched its AirPods (wireless Bluetooth earbuds) at the same time.

A similar change came in 2020 with the release of the iPhone 12. Arguing consumers had a multitude of spare devices – and perhaps trying to ride on the green re-use agenda – Apple removed chargers from the unboxing experience.

Users still received a charge cable, but it was a USB-C to lightning cable, whereas previous iPhone chargers would have a USB-A socket (the standard USB port).

Apple phone cable
When Apple stopped offering chargers it provided a USB-C to lightning cable, despite older chargers having a USB-A socket. Apple.

The justification iPhone users would have a box full of old chargers overlooked the fact that none of them would be likely to support the newer and faster USB-C cable.

So you could use your old USB-A to lightning cable and charger to charge your shiny new phone, but you’d be limited to slower charging speeds.

Future

If the past 15 years are anything to go by, it’s likely the iPhone will continue with annual product releases (as we write this article many will be anticipating the iPhone 14 due later this year).

These models will probably bring improvements in speed, weight, battery life, camera resolution and storage capacity. However, it’s not likely we’ll be seeing many groundbreaking innovations in the next few years.

The latest iPhones are already highly sophisticated mini computers, which means there’s limited scope for fundamental enhancement.

Perhaps the most radical change will be the shift from Apple’s proprietary lightning connection to USB-C charging, thanks to a new European Union directive. And while a common power connector standard is widely considered a positive move, Apple wasn’t convinced:

We believe regulations that impose harmonisation of smartphone chargers would stifle innovation rather than encourage it.

As display technologies evolve, Apple may turn to the clam-shell phone design, with a fully foldable display screen.

Samsung has already brought this to the market. But Apple, in true fashion, will likely wait until the technology (particularly the glass) has evolved to deliver an experience in line with what iPhone users have come to expect.

While we can’t predict what the iPhone will look like in another 15 years (although some have tried), it’s likely the demand for Apple products will still be there, driven by Apple’s strong brand loyalty.The Conversation


Ismini Vasileiou, Associate Professor in Information Systems, De Montfort University and Paul Haskell-Dowland, Professor of Cyber Security Practice, Edith Cowan University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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15 Comments

Had an IPhone 6 for work a few years back.  Terrible battery life.  Eventually it would instantaneously lose 30 - 40% battery after unplugging from full charge.  Would overheat when making calls and randomly shut off.

Even today a $1400 Iphone 13 has 25% less battery capacity than my $600 Galaxy A51.  12 megapixel camera vs 48 megapixel etc.

 

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More megapixels is usually a bad thing beyond a certain point. Sensor size is more important. More (smaller) pixels on the same size sensor means less light is captured by the camera.

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Horses for courses, you are comparing an apple with a lemon. You could argue all day long about each platform. Each has pluses and minuses. The good thing this rivalry provides a choice for the consumer and innovation is alive.

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Definitely.  Not sure what the tradeoff is going to reduced battery life and performance, onto a heavily locked down OS? 

Maybe it's the "hipster" brand image, using an Iphone to take selfies at Starbucks in my Chuck Taylor shoes, pre-ripped jeans and stretch earrings. But as you say, consumer choice.  

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iPhones are junk cannot believe anyone still buys a new one. My theory is the last one was so bad the new one must have fixed all the problems right ? Samsung all the way if anyone's looking for a phone the S20FE5G is good.

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Excluding fusion/fission and flight, the iphone (along with 4g/5g) is arguably the most powerful personal invention of my lifetime. 

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IDK I'd say the Li-Ion battery that makes portable electronics, EV and other devices possible is a pretty foundational contender. 

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Flight was invented in your lifetime?

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Yeah I did re-read that but couldnt be fu----- changing it. Let's say affordable commercial flight.

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Fusion/fission is a perfect analogy (for all smartphone tech) - powerful, yes, but at what cost to humanity?

 

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The iPhone only quite recently got a native QR reader 

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Just like Nokia missed the boat with touch screen phones, Apple is missing the boat with foldable phone.

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Nokia had touch screen phones before the iPhone, where they lost to Apple was on the OS - Symbian and S40 couldn't hold a candle to iOS. Then they put all their bets in Windows which went nowhere.

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In their defence I used a Cassiopiea A series when I was a teenager that I got given because it didn't work for whoever bought it and if you'd ask me to pick which device I'd think would have had a longer legacy if you stuck a phone to it, I'm not sure I would have picked the iPod over it. 

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It was a crucial kick-up-the-butt to the phone industry, not because it was perfect straight away but because it showed that the existing design cruft and expectations could be abandoned in favour of a new form with so many more possibilities.

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